cantering on forward seat

[powerticker]

Any tip on how to carry this out? Today my coach told me to try standing up on a forward seat when cantering and I am wondering if anyone can offer any easy tip.

[galadriel]

You said you're learning to jump. I would guess that in combination with jumping lessons you've also learned the jumping position, or two-point.

You can canter in two-point, or in half-seat (which is somewhere between sitting and two-point). This lets you canter without having to absorb the horse's movement with your back, so it is easier.

It does make you a little more vulnerable to losing your balance, because all of your weight is forward and your seat is not securely in the saddle. However, if you're riding a reliable horse, it's usually not a problem.

[KarinUS]

I just started cantering in two-point and I much prefer it. It sounds harder but it's not. You'll love it powerticker!

[powerticker]

please explain 2 points v. 3 points? I supposed that 3-point seat is the classical dressage seating position with shoulder, hip and heels all lined up in one and 2 point-seat = shoulder and knee lined up in the centre of gravity to jump with the horse with your butt slided back a little?

[galadriel]

*With a three-point seat, you have contact with the horse/saddle at three major points: your seat and the area along your legs, from your thigh to your calf.

A three point seat is typically your regular riding seat, sitting upright with a head-hip-heel vertical line.

*I've seen a few references to a "light three point seat," in which the rider is still seated in the saddle, but having moved the center of gravity forwards and putting most of the weight in the legs. This is probably nearly the same thing as a half-seat.

*With a two-point seat, your weight is resting on two points: your legs from the knee to the calf.

A two-point is a real jumping position, where your weight is still centered over your ankles, but your upper body is leaning forward and your pelvis has been slid back (as you describe).