For those interested in the bit on Woodstock, this is the best photo I’ve been able to find:
https://images.app.goo.gl/X4A3eW8X1gPHH6c6A
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Great find!
I love how the bay horse in the background is looking at Woodstock as if he’s wondering what is up with the wacky tack. Lol.
This is called a war bridle. https://horse-canada.com/magazine/tack-equipment/possible-find-peace-using-war-bridle/
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For the main issue, didn’t we used to braid the crownpiece into the mane just so this wouldn’t happen?
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Re:Ludger new hackamore: Hearsay, but when his groom Marie got dragged for broken equipment she said, don’t blame me, it was brand new!
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Wow. Interesting. Thanks.
I’m dying at the commentator at the replay: “HOW? HOW? HOW DID HE STAY ON?”
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To be fair, it’s a valid question. Lol.
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Over the years we have had (mostly young) posters who complain about well known riders’ equitation. Richard Spooner has an unconventional style over fences, but when people began griping about it, someone would always pull out this video.
I remember saying something along the lines of; “When you can do that (shown on the video), then you can complain about his equitation.”
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I wish I had perfect equitation, and it’s something I’m always striving to achieve.
That said, if someone can stay on and stay out of the way of the horse on GP height fences, I shut my pie hole about their style.
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There are some people who manage to combine excellent equitation with success in the jumper ring. Beezie Madden and McLain Ward are consistent contenders for the 1.60 equitation prize.
However, there are plenty of others who manage to win a ton of money in the jumpers with less classic style. But it still works for them.
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I always thought Richard Spooner was an eq rider when younger? Wikipedia says he was qualified for all major equitation finals in 1987 and was a team winner at the USET finals in 1988. Wasn’t his mother a trainer? I’m just trying to remember from when this topic has come up before. Someone once said in one of these threads that he had the definition of an educated leg as it went exactly where he wanted it to. I seem to recall watching him ride (on TV) without stirrups in a class when he’d hurt his ankle…
The explanation given for his leg was something to do with giving the horse freedom and staying out of the way. I don’t know, I’ve always liked watching him, his horses go well and seem happy.
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Yes indeed. I enjoy watching McLain ward and Beezie Madden ride. I’m always fascinated and impressed by their super leg position.
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He can equitate with best of them, when he chooses.
Look at his position in the video when he drops his reins. Not someone who is lacking in skill.
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A lot of the top jumper riders from this country were successful in the equitation as juniors. Some of them have not stuck to their original equitation style as much as others. Lol.
Funny, I’ve never observed that it’s the younger crowd doing this, myself 
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The last time I was at the Huntington Beach Eq Center, she still was. He looks exactly like her.
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Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. I’ve seen that video a number of times. I don’t think he can’t equitate, I have no idea how you got that from my post. I assumed he rides how he does because he feels it’s best for his horses. He has the finesse and control to ride however he wants, not something most of us can do.
I guess what I meant was, he can ride like an equitation winner if he wants to, his style is by choice and not because he can’t ride in a textbook position.
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Yes, just like many of his colleagues.
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