PLATE 68

A very nice picture of confident efficiency. The pony is jumping well within himself, and is enjoying the whole performance. The rider, whose seat is perhaps a shade too much in the saddle for this stage of the jump, is in an excellent state of balance, and, owing to her position, will have complete control on landing. It is very refreshing to see fingers being used in the proper way.

PLATE 69

The subject of the acrobatic method of riding over fences has already been mentioned. It is a pity for it to be allowed to creep in early in life, for it is hoped to discover future international riders from the juvenile classes, and at that level acrobatics cannot succeed.

PLATE 68

PLATE 69

PLATE 70

Throughout this section of the book the subject of proper use of the hands crops up again and again. It cannot be emphasized too much that the hands must be free and independent over the fence, in order to allow the horse's head and neck to stretch out and down, so helping the hind quarters up. In this photograph a very competent and elegant position would be improved, and the pony have more useful freedom of head and neck, if the hands were lower and more widely separated.

PLATE 71

The pony is making a bold jump and the rider is showing dash, determination, and the will to win. She should take care that her lower leg does not move out and back too much and that the length of rein at the take-off is suitable for the next phases of the jump. At the moment the reins are on the short side, which will probably necessitate slipping them before landing to give effectual freedom to the pony in front of the saddle. Although slipping is sometimes a necessity, and never wrong, it does give the rider just one more thing among many to think about on landing, and, when circumstances do not demand it, should be dispensed with.

PLATE 70

PLATE 71

PLATE 72

A certain amount of work without stirrups will make the seat firm and independent. The hands can then be used through the reins to the horse's mouth as means of control and guidance and not for purposes of personal balance. In this picture the rhythm is there, but the performance is spoiled by misuse of the hands and by looking down.

PLATE 73

The true exponents of the acrobatic method of jumping fences always look up, realizing that it is an essential for any form of riding. This photograph suggests that the acrobatic method is the rider's aim. He has thrown his weight forward, but due to looking down and pushing his hands out, there is no upward weight displacement. He has by now dispensed with control. It is a method to be deplored in children, for it cannot lead to the top. Any tendency toward it can easily be stopped if spotted in time. A suggested cure is to allow practice at only double- or treble-type fences, siting the jumps at different distances from each other.

PLATE 72

PLATE 73

PLATE 74

A young competitor performing very creditably. She should concentrate on keeping the toe up and heel down, and practice looking up and forward at all times. This would help her to get with the pony, giving it assistance over the fence.

PLATE 75

The future is always important, if at times somewhat of an unknown quantity. Looking down to the left has brought the right hand up, marring an otherwise competent position. "Always look up in order to be prepared" should be this rider's motto.

PLATE 74

PLATE 75

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