Rider’s position

For jumpers, a correct 2 point position is fundamental to be in harmony with the mount and apply light but effective aids. Flowing with the movement with ease by allowing the closing and opening motion of the joints –hips, knees and ankles - enables the rider to influence the horse effectively without impeding the horse’s motion especially when approaching a fence or at landing.

This 2 point position can also release the horse’s back at the time he needs all the freedom of movement possible during the different jump phases.

To Michel, this position is not only effective but is also nice to watch. It brings out the feelings of lightness and harmony that characterise the beautiful way great champions ride.

Michel offers here a very good exercise to practise as often as possible in order to improve the 2 point position.

This practice will be good for stiff riders looking for a better connection with their horses. For all rider, it‘s a good way to test if their position allows them to face any kind of situations.

 

Performing a flying change of lead presumes that the rider has a clear concept of the movement and the horse has a good understanding of what the rider is asking him to do.

Michel offers a very gradual exercise with an easy set-up and a precise track. By following closely the steps of this exercise, young horses or less experimented riders will clearly understand to break down the movement and achieve the position needed to perform a flying change of lead. As always, to execute successfully this exercise, the rider needs to anticipate and prepare each movement and action: hence the importance of taking time to understand it and to make the proper adjustments.
 

During the preliminary flat work session, Alice was able to get in control of her horse thanks to Michel's advice.

However, her horse, Pharaon, still has a lot of energy, and gets excited around jumps. This kind of behaviour is most of the time reinforced by the rider’s physical and mind sets. The goal of this session is to channel this overflow of energy by riding with a position close to what Michel calls the perfect position.  Michel noticed that Alice has a good position approaching fences but gets unbalanced over the fence: her hips move backwards and her legs forward…which results into a loss of control on landing. Michel will give her some tips that will help her maintain a good position before, over and after the jump.

Alice came to stay a few days for a clinic at Michel Robert’s yard. The first videos show Alice’s preliminary flat work lessons. Alice’s horse is overwhelmed as it’s his first time working in a field. Open spaces, other horses around, news jumps ….all are excuses for him to express his joy! During this lesson, Michel will emphasise on the body position and mind-set the rider needs to adopt, in order to deal with her horse’s emotions, while working him with no excessive constraints. This lesson will show you that it’s possible to control a high energy level horse without any rein-aids or other kind of coercive methods which can ruin the horse’s mind and body.
 

During this lesson, Michel explains us the basis of the rider/horse understanding. In order for the horse to embrace his job, the rider is supposed to, first of all, be able to set up some communication aids that are fairly clear. Michel shows, here, a few rules that need to be respected whatever the level of the rider.