Is throwing a cross like bridging your reins? And what else can you tell me about it. Thanks!
[QUOTE=sonomacounty;8304636]
Is throwing a cross like bridging your reins? And what else can you tell me about it. Thanks![/QUOTE]
Your reins are always bridged.
I’m not the best at describing things, but in essence, race horses typically gallop along steadily and not at top speed with the rider sitting/standing very still with quiet steady hands. A signal to increase speed is the rider dropping down into racing position and shortening the reins - the gathering/shortening of the reins is called “throwing a cross.” It’s kind of an upper body gather and push movement that encourages the horse to pick up speed.
Thanks so very much. You described that wonderfully, Flash.
[QUOTE=Flash44;8304724]
Your reins are always bridged.
I’m not the best at describing things, but in essence, race horses typically gallop along steadily and not at top speed with the rider sitting/standing very still with quiet steady hands. A signal to increase speed is the rider dropping down into racing position and shortening the reins - the gathering/shortening of the reins is called “throwing a cross.” It’s kind of an upper body gather and push movement that encourages the horse to pick up speed.[/QUOTE]
“Your reins are always bridged”
I beg to differ. There are PLENTY of times riders may or may not use a cross or bridge.
There are plenty of examples of it not being used if one were to watch a jockey’s hand closely. Something I do with my binoculars when my horse is running. Tends to give me a good idea of how the horse is running. And more times than not if we are going to get our picture taken.
The same if I have a good size bet on a horse.
Especially on good horses. The kind that don’t pull the crap out of your arms. The kind that tend to relax, stay in hand and “stay on the bit” but not trying to “swallow” it.
On these types of horses, a lot of horses, you will see the jocks hands on either side of the horse’s neck, not necessary with a “closed grip” on the reins. More of an “open hand” palms down. Looking a little bit like they are “patting” the horse’s neck. Which is some ways they are. Getting a horse to relax plays a major part. Most don’t.
A “cross” comes much more into the play as the video says. When “whipping and driving” down the stretch. For reasons that should be obvious they are riding one handed and sticking with the other.
And yes when the jock is “scrubbing” the last furlong or so to the wire. As you pointed out in you last sentence.
The term “scrubbing” comes from the “look” of someone “scrubbing the deck/floor” on hands and knees with a big brush.
The OP is going to be galloping, maybe doing a little breezing, not riding races, at least at this point. And what does “There are PLENTY of times riders may or may not use a cross or bridge” mean? You either are or you aren’t, all the time.
[QUOTE=Flash44;8311401]
The OP is going to be galloping, maybe doing a little breezing, not riding races, at least at this point. And what does “There are PLENTY of times riders may or may not use a cross or bridge” mean? You either are or you aren’t, all the time.[/QUOTE]
Just would like to chime in for a moment and say that I am not the OP of this thread, though I did have to look up this term and found the video.
[QUOTE=The Blood Bay Mare;8311411]
Just would like to chime in for a moment and say that I am not the OP of this thread, though I did have to look up this term and found the video.[/QUOTE]
Corrected! I’m confusing this thread with your other one.
