Chapter - 05

The Getaway After Landing

There is often a certain feeling of relief when a fence, particularly a difficult one, has been left safely behind. Such a feeling endangers concentration, and for a few very important strides the rider may forget his preconceived plan and a very momentous phase in the round may be indifferently ridden. In practice, the getaway after landing merges directly into the approach to the next fence, which follows the route chosen when the course was inspected on foot. The fundamental necessity, therefore, is maintenance of balance and impulsion, without which no fence can be adequately crossed. The ideal is to land in a state of balance identical to that at the take-off, which will mean that the horse gets away in his stride and on the bit. A pause or dwell at this stage will result in loss of impulsion, which will have to be re-created, thereby disturbing the rhythm and fluency of the whole performance. If this occurs when the fence is a double or treble, the rider will, very obviously, at once be in difficulties, particularly if the distances between the jumps do not exactly suit his horse's normal stride. If the course builder has decided on a test of impulsion, the distance will be wide, and if of activity and obedience to hand and leg, short. Again it may be necessary to change direction very soon after landing, to render the line of approach to the next fence favorable. There is, indeed, a diversity of problems that may have to be solved and the answer to each one of them lies in obedience, balance, and impulsion.

It is very apparent, therefore, that the rider must be so placed that he is capable of taking complete control, and small details in his position can have far-reaching results upon his actions. If his lower leg is in its natural position behind the girth, if his seat, having been in the saddle immediately upon landing, is just out of it to give freedom to the loins, if his hands are light and separated for independent maneuver, and if he is looking along his approach, the result should be smooth and workmanlike. Finally, there can be no question but that acrobatic attitudes over the fence effectively undermine control during the first, and even the second, stride after landing, and it is true to say that unless the horse knows where the rider's hand is he will never trust it.

PLATE 52

PLATE 52

Obedience, balance, and impulsion are the ingredients. Blended together they produce the horse in his stride, and on the bit. Depicted here is the first stride of the getaway after landing. It ably fulfills the essential conditions. These conditions derive from the rider's position.

PLATE 53

The first stride of the getaway again, and the ingredients are nicely blended. There would be more certain impulsion, and the horse would be more firmly on the bit, if the rider's seat were giving the loins more freedom, and if his toe had not dropped, so pushing the knee up.

PLATE 54

The horse seems lacking in lightness and elasticity and to be dwelling a little. The position of the rider's lower leg, with the toe down, makes the creation of impulsion doubtful, and certainly not immediate. The right hand, being off the rein, seems however to indicate that the next fence, on which attention is rightly focused, is some way ahead, giving him time to take remedial action.

PLATE 53

PLATE 54

PLATE 55

The horse is getting away on a long stride, having jumped well out covering a lot of ground. He is well on the bit and his head and neck are nicely placed. The rider is sitting easily, in harmony with the horse and in a position to start at once any alteration of stride necessary for the next approach. The body may perhaps be inclined a little too far forward, minimizing strength of leg pressure. A fine action study, full of life and freedom.

PLATE 56

Although the rider is well with the horse, a shorter stirrup would materially assist her balance. This would have the effect of more use being made of the knee as a buffer, obviating any tendency of the body to swing more than intended either forward or backward. This in its turn would help the arms and hands to be entirely independent—an essential item in a rider's equipment.

PLATE 55

PLATE 56

PLATE 57

The impression is one of heaviness and effort. The stirrup seems unduly long, making the rider's leg practically straight. He is turning his body toward his line of vision, with the result that the right knee has come away from the saddle. A shorter stirrup would undoubtedly assist lightness, and help in the maintenance of a more active balance.

PLATE 58

Here readers are invited to form their own opinions on the author's style.

PLATE 57

PLATE 58

PLATES 59 & 60

The commencement of the first stride of the getaway in sequence. Readers are again invited to form their own opinions!

PLATE 59

PLATE 60

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