Possibly the worst riding I have ever seen

To the OP why don't you post some videos of YOU jumping so we can compare.

Yikes to a lot of them, I'm not a jumper but I noticed a lot of the riders I saw were see-sawing the bit like crazy and their foot was very far into the iron.

I would, but none of them are recent. However, I did post a thread a while back ago asking for some critique on my jumping. Feel free to go look for it.

I can tell you a few things, though. I have only been jumping seriously since March. I have just recently popped over 3'6" (last Monday), and I haven't done it since because now that I know I can jump that high, I need to focus on better leg position and counting strides. I've been showing in schooling shows since June or July (can't remember), and I have been beaten by this one girl who is AMAZING almost every time, except for once. Now that I've said a little about what I can do, here's what I don't do: I don't yank on my horse's face approaching a jump. I don't seesaw on the reins. If I feel my butt flopping on the saddle I sit up to collect myself. I don't just charge the jump and hope he makes it over; I try to set him up as best as I can and I always aim for the middle of the fence.

I'm not perfect. Heck, I'm only sixteen. My horse is an amazing jumper and I need to get much better before his potential becomes reality.

My point is, I am not the best rider. But I am a hell of a lot better than those women, and I'm sure you are as well. So, please don't be rude.

Saying something like, "Let's see YOU do it!", or "Oh, yeah? Show us how good of a jumper YOU are" is uncalled for and does not contribute to the conversation. It only gives me the impressions that a) You think I am an awful rider and that I watch other awful riders so that I can feel better about myself. B) You think that you are better than those women, when you may suck just as badly as they do and GOD FORBID you could be even worse than I am.

I am not saying that you suck. It's just the impression that I get from reading a comment like that. So please try not to say things like that anymore. It ticks people off and it's borderline trolling.

I agree with everything you've said. I wasn't expecting them to be top-notch riders.

I just think it's interesting to watch people ride like that. It gives me something to compare good riders to, other than my lowly self.

Hmmmm what I'm getting is a sense of judgement coming from you, when you clearly admit your not as good as you want to be....I don't think any of us are. So in saying that, be realistic with your impression of these riders, because I'm am absolutely sure they ARE doing the best they can with the abilities they have.

We all have moments of UGLY riding...........But give people the benefit of the doubt that they are aware of their problems and are trying their best.

Heck I lust look awful sometimes.....ND I KNOW IT! It's just a matter of experience and feel to correct it! Which takes time and trial.....

Just looked at the sorrel, very strong forward going horse, I wouldn't be surprised if he usually goes in another bit. He looks like a hell of a ride, and I think it may take a while to click and find how to ride him sweetly.

It must be immensely difficult to have to jump on a horse and compete like that, the only goal is to try and get clear, no marks for style, or anything else.

Why are people making excuses for this? Why is bad riding OK just because it's part of a sport called "modern pentathlon?" Good equitation is not important if you do other sports too....?

Wow those ladies are brave, lol I mean could they have been handed more forward moving mounts or what. They didn't hit the ground, they did this under a lot of pressure and they want to win. I think at sometime or another a horse has had someone on their back that has seesawed on their face. Look at poor lesson horses they are always having it put to them, not that the rider is trying to hurt them but inexperience is always going to put pressure on the horse. Just my opinion.

The rider 29min in was hard to watch, she couldn't even finish the course

I don't think anybody is making excuses.....bad riding happens.....TO ALL OF US.......it is what it is....

One should examine oneself for a very long time before thinking of condemning others.* ~Moliere