Why do the pony club instructors...

Insist on me having my foot in the stirrup with the balls of my feet on it? I do not find it comfortable and usually ride with just the tip of my toe in the stirrup.
They say "it'll help you rise" but then you're not supposed to rise using the stirrups as support. Im sooo annoyed with them .
What do you think?

I don't know...
You aren't supposed to ride using the stirrups as support to begin with... You should rise with the horse's movements. I've always kept my stirrup a little past the ball of my foot, closer to my toe, but I think it all depends. Everyone rides differently.

I would keep doing what you're comfortable with, if you're riding is okay.

I would think it is because the ball of your foot is a stronger place to rest your foot so that your heel can come down and you don't have to grip with your toe to keep your foot in your stirrup. If you are gripping with your toe to keep it on the stirrup, your heel rides up like in your avatar pic. Don't know if that's you or not though

It's because it spposedly causes tension somewhere.
I personally ride with the stirrup turned sideways (almost like it is when your foot isn't in it) and only half my toes in it. :)
I have no trouble with it. My legs are loose and there's no tension in it.
Besides, I don't get my giant feet stuck in the stirrups when my horse decides to dump me.

thanks. I generally have the problem of having my heel down to much lol In my avatar she jumped huge and I got left behind lol

I agree with danastark, its a stronger place to keep your foot. In your avatar pic, I think the reason you're "left behind" is because your feet are too tense in the stirrups. By keeping the stirrups a little bit more under your foot, it would help your heel fall naturally down and would probably help with your leg position as well. Hope this helps!

the reason why they tell you ride with the ball of your foot on the stirrup is because it givves you MUCH more freedom of movement in you ankle, and jumping, you need you ankles alot to absorb the impact of jumping, and using the ball of your foot helps keep your heels in the correct postion, which is vital to stay balanced.

I agree ball of foot is where you should have your stirrup. it may not be comfortable at first but that doesn't mean its wrong. LOL I hate it when my boyfriend shows me how to hold the golf club correctly, it never feels right! but it sure helps. (just a little analogy)

well dont quote me on this becuase im not 100% sure...i havnt taked a riding lesson in a long time...(bad i know!) but i think they are telling you to ride with teh ball of your foot on the stirrup because when riding you have supposed to keep your heal down but not put all your weight into your heals. (if that made any sence) So if you just have the tip of your foot in the stirrup all you weight is going to be on your heel because you dont have the support you need with just the tip of your boot. Also...its not safe! its way easier to slip out of the stirrup if you only have the tip of your foot in there...and im not being rude...but i would listen to your instructors if i were you....

If you start with the stirrup on the ball of your foot then stand tall in your stirrups and think about the weight sinking into your heels and being balanced over the horse then sit back down your foot position should be correct. If you just have your toes up too much or just your toes in the stirrups you are going to have issues.