I started riding English/hunt seat at the end of last summer/early fall. Even though I rode 25 years ago as a kid, the trotting/posting was SO hard for me! First I couldn't get the rhythm just right and ended up with an extra bounce, then I struggled a LOT with my leg position and keeping my legs underneath me instead of forward. And controlling the horse's position throughout this? Forget it.
I'm not sure what happened, but all of the sudden, something "clicked" and I started doing a lot better a few months ago. I'm not saying I'm good, because I'm not, but I've hit a point where I feel like maybe I CAN do this after all and I'm making progress.
For example, when my instructor used to ask me to post with one stirrup, it was SO hard. I kept working at it, and while it's never been easy, I can do it without looking like a wounded chicken. Same with stirrupless posting. The first time, I did not see how that would ever be possible to do. I've even learned to post without stirrups without gripping with my knees. The first few times, I had no idea how one would avoid doing that, but something just clicked.
I'm not posting this to say that I'm an amazing rider, because I'm sooooo not. I have so much work to do. I'm posting for other newbie English riders, especially older "born-again" riders, who feel frustrated. I spent a good 6 months of frustration and feeling bad at riding before I started to feel like I might just be moving in the right direction. I still feel like a crappy rider, but now I'd label myself as a crappy rider w/ potential. :lol:
Also, if your instructor isn't asking you to try one-stirrup posting, it REALLY helped me improve. At first, I would just do three beats without a stirrup and then pick it back up (posting the whole time). Now, I'm up to 1 lap of the arena or more w/ one stirrup. I have a regular "exercise" now that I practice on my own of 1 lap w/ 1 stirrup, 1 lap w/ the other stirrup, 1 lap w/ no stirrups, 1 lap sit trotting, and then 1 lap regular posting (which feels so easy after that other stuff). When you do the 1-stirrup drills, it's important to make sure your body stays straight and you aren't leaning to the side w/ the stirrup.
Happy posting!
I'm not sure what happened, but all of the sudden, something "clicked" and I started doing a lot better a few months ago. I'm not saying I'm good, because I'm not, but I've hit a point where I feel like maybe I CAN do this after all and I'm making progress.
For example, when my instructor used to ask me to post with one stirrup, it was SO hard. I kept working at it, and while it's never been easy, I can do it without looking like a wounded chicken. Same with stirrupless posting. The first time, I did not see how that would ever be possible to do. I've even learned to post without stirrups without gripping with my knees. The first few times, I had no idea how one would avoid doing that, but something just clicked.
I'm not posting this to say that I'm an amazing rider, because I'm sooooo not. I have so much work to do. I'm posting for other newbie English riders, especially older "born-again" riders, who feel frustrated. I spent a good 6 months of frustration and feeling bad at riding before I started to feel like I might just be moving in the right direction. I still feel like a crappy rider, but now I'd label myself as a crappy rider w/ potential. :lol:
Also, if your instructor isn't asking you to try one-stirrup posting, it REALLY helped me improve. At first, I would just do three beats without a stirrup and then pick it back up (posting the whole time). Now, I'm up to 1 lap of the arena or more w/ one stirrup. I have a regular "exercise" now that I practice on my own of 1 lap w/ 1 stirrup, 1 lap w/ the other stirrup, 1 lap w/ no stirrups, 1 lap sit trotting, and then 1 lap regular posting (which feels so easy after that other stuff). When you do the 1-stirrup drills, it's important to make sure your body stays straight and you aren't leaning to the side w/ the stirrup.
Happy posting!