Sitting Trot Problems . . .

[maria9657]

Hello,

I just got back from a jumping lesson, it went quite well (I think), except for my sitting trot. I haven't had any lessons for the past month, due to scheduling conflicts (I was away for two weeks, then there were no lessons for two weeks due to a very large show). But I have been riding my lease horse 3 times a week. I have really been trying to work on my seat and leg position so I have been riding mostly without stirrups or bareback. My lease horse is a thoroughbred with a big bouncy trot, I have been able to sit to his trot quite well.

At my lessons I could not sit the trot with my stirrups, I was bouncing away and I am sure I looked quite silly. When the stirrups came away there was no problem.

I don't really know why this is happening. Maybe when I put my feet back in the stirrups I am putting too much weight in them? Any thoughts, suggestions etc. would be greatly appreciated.

[casey]

In all honesty, I think the saddle has a lot to do with being able to sit. My jumping saddle is very forward cut, and is impossible to sit to. But my dressage saddle is fantastic. ;)

[3 day eventer]

try the lightest pressure on the stirrup irons and just relax.
Doing a sitting trot is like bouncing a ball on concrete. If you throw the ball hard it will bounce higher, hence if you are tense you will bounce around.
If you drop the ball slightly it will not bounce up high enough therefore if you are too floppy you will not maintain a good position and flop around.
But if you bounce the ball calmly with the right amount of pressure it will bounce as you want it, so if you sit up and relax you will have the perfect sitting trot.
It is tempting to rise to the trot once you have your stirrups back as without them you have been relying on your seat so it has been easy to sit to the trot. When the stirrups come back you feel as though you should do something with them and use that as a barrier rather than your seat.
Light pressure on the irons pretend they arent there and rely on your seat this should help!!! :p