Relieve Tension and Impress the Judges

This article identifies the two powers or forces that a rider has to constantly deal with, gravity and the physical power created by the horse. These two forces can flow through our bones usually in opposite directions at the same time. Here is an example from a recent clinic in Tehachapi, California: This FEI level rider was well aware of the force or pull in her hands from the horse's head and neck but could not get the feel of gravity flowing down the arms. When she pulled against the horses power (keeping her balance) with the muscles in the forearms and shoulders those muscles blocked the flow of gravity down the arms. This resulted in the horse not going forward freely and becoming increasingly tight in the neck and forehand, not to mention the exhaustion of the rider from holding against the power of the horse. These are NOT things we want to happen in front of the judges! When she removed the tension by balancing her bones and allowing the two forces to move freely it was a thing of beauty, something she would be proud for the judges to see!