How to Stop Leaning Forward and Sit Back!

Join my Rider Position Transformation Course:

Free Patterns and Figures PDF:

Free Competition Guide:

Free Canter Mini-Course:

#dressagehorse #horseriding #equestrian

Rider position is so important because your horse is your mirror, and the better your position, the better your horse will go! In July, I was lucky enough to go to a major horse show in Aachen, Germany, and this week with the Olympics, I am noticing that one thing all the top riders have in common is perfect rider position! In Aachen, every rider's seat was perfectly in sync with their horse's movement, their hands were together, in front of the withers, and their heels were down. And it makes sense- only a rider in the correct position can apply the aids correctly. If a rider isn't balanced, their horse will be unbalanced! That is why this week's video is all about sitting back in order to correctly use your seat.

But before I jump into the video, in honor of this inspiration from our amazing equestrian Olympic athletes, I have decided to open enrollment on my Rider Position Transformation Program. With over 30+ pre-recorded videos, 40+ page PDF, this course sets you up for success in the saddle.

I really wasn’t planning on opening up this program this year, but since this subject is so prevalent with these top riders, I wanted to give you the chance to join.

And now onto this week's video:

One of the most common rider position faults I see is riders leaning forward and pulling on their horses. It’s human instinct to go into fetal position when we feel nervous, but when you lean forward, you are more likely to fall off, plus it just makes your horse more tense and nervous too! If you find yourself leaning forward, don’t worry, you’re not alone. This is a super common thing I see a lot, and in this week’s video, I have a few tips to help you!

Pony Tail to Horse’s Tail – A great way to help you sit back is to think about your ponytail touching your horse’s tail. This will help you sit back, open your chest, and put more weight on your horse’s hind end.

Hips Forward – If you tend to lean forward in the canter, a great way to help you sit back and bring your shoulders back, is to think about your hips really coming forward to your hands.

Belly Button in Front of Nose – Another awesome analogy to help you find the correct alignment is to think about keeping your belly button in front of your nose. This is a great one to help you always think about keeping your head and shoulders back.

Transitions - Another time I see riders leaning forward is when they make downward transitions. A great way to solve this is to think about sitting back and engaging your core before you make the transition.

I hope these visuals help you sit back and find the proper alignment! Remember, just like seat belts keep us from leaning forward, sitting back and engaging your core is your seat belt when you ride!

Happy Riding!
Amelia

00:00 Introduction
00:53 Rider Transformation Flash Sale
01:59 Why Rider Position is Important
03:48 Pony Tail to Horse's Tail
04:32 Hips Forward
05:09 Belly Button in front of Nose
06:05 Downward Transitions
06:56 End of Video

[beetheequestrian]

Love this because I do this a lot. It wasn’t corrected when I started riding again, then I had a lot of accidents. My riding instructor is now trying to correct a bad habit and a position I now take because of fear. 😭

[ScribblemouseScribbles]

This is so important for beginners! Especially if you start riding later in life. It's scary stuff to keep pitching forward on a huge horse. And tensing and balling up forward is what you tend to do when stuff is scary. One striking thing I learned when starting riding lessons is that horses are real and also very big. Two things then, horses are real, are really big (except ponies) and sometimes can trip up. So that's three or four.... Let's say I am learning new things everyday.

[brianthiessen]

Really good for the visual learner. Easy concepts to grasp. Both do's and don'ts were extremely helpful.

I have followed your channel for a while and love your teaching style. Loved meeting your horses especially the one with tail extensions.

[Walli-]

3:56 I see that the head of your horse is behind the vertical. This is not correct. Please improve this in your videos for your viewers, who will learn from you. Thanks

[cwilson]

This was very helpful. Especially the coward transition

[Equestrianriderss]

she and her horses are just super amazingggg 😁😁🤩🤩

[susanlambert]

Really helpful video I am guilty of going forward it's hard to break the habit but know have something to focus on my belly button this is going to help for sure thank you for sharing.

[StarArabians_]

Lol here is something funny about why I no longer lean forward or a only a little bit one day during a lesson it was really windy and the TB I was on didn't like the wind so I got put on a 14.1 hh pony who in order to ride since he was super western you had to have a extremely straight back or you couldn't ride him I no longer lean forward now I'm glad I got put on him! (I ride English but there was a time the place I rode at only had western saddles so)

[barbaraberry]

I tend to lean forward on the upward transitions, sort of pushing my horse forward. It's just a bad habit and I'm trying to correct myself. When I sit up and let my horse do the work, we get much smoother transitions.

[shyvadragon]

It was very helpful. My trainer (I am 65 and really just learning to ride) I road a lot in my 40s and my youth, but I did NOT ride correctly. She says would you said, Swing, Swing etc. But I was doing it totally wrong. I think she was frustrated but she did not explain like you did. This gave me clarity. Thanks

[faaizahchaumoo]

This is one of the things I struggle with. My instructor tells me all the time not to collapse my body. I'm going to use your tips tomorrow ❤ Thanks Amelia

[spiridoulaathanasopoulou]

And Olympic riders, sometimes, hit horses with wip. 😊

[YouGrowFlower]

Thank you I used to do hunter jumper as a kid and now I’m riding Tenessee Walkers I must learn to sit back!

[samstockbridge]

Yes very helpful visual of head, hips etc most helpful but seeing difference in Mercurio was super helpful too
I had a fork seat when I was learning to ride as a child with very painful consequences Centred riding by Sally Swift was my go to in my 20s especially & my last ride on 1st September the instructor said I have a perfect position & to believe in myself
Can't wait to get back in the saddle once my iron levels come back up & energy returns 🐴💜

[SharonP]

This was GREAT..this used to be my instructor 's favorite line to me! Starting up again after many years..this was helpful BEFORE I ever have to hear that again😂

[dannipeech]

I never had lessons and was self taught and given pointers by riding friends as a young lady. I am taking lessons now to try to correct this. I also watched your video on gripping with your lower leg. These have been my two problems forever! I took a long break from riding while having babies and now I’m back at it at 41, riding with my girls. Hopefully, I’ll be able to correct these problems-sometimes it feels hopeless. I like your tips! It actually helps my girls to see me struggle-it gives them confidence to keep trying too. We will see! Thank you!❤

[hexabeans]

I had a very whizzy pacer for a few years and her natural gait would mean I'd tip forward, it was just easier to sit to. Ive recently bought a lovely dressage horse after my horsey goals have shifted and having to learn to sit in and back is key to getting the best out of him, he just feels sooo different than my previous horse

[faredadadah]

I liked this a lot. I have a very good instructor. She also always tells me to sit back specially when I go to a lower step. But I always thought it was when we go to a lower step. Now I understand it's during the hole riding. And I do see a change in the horse it's neck in your video. So I do understand my horse better. So thank you

[catroy]

One really needs eyes on the ground to say, "That's correct!" so we develop the proper muscle memory to feel the correct position.

[samespley]

Love belly button if front - must remember that ! Why do jumper riders lean forward and out the saddle so much ? Is that still putting the horse on the forehand?? 🦄