[QUOTE=RugBug;8611270]
Sorry, but I’m going to go there. If you are correctly using the Forward Riding System, you should have independent seat, hands, and legs. IMO, it doesn’t sound like the system was at fault but perhaps your former instruction?
(FWIW: I think it’s getting more and more difficult to find someone that really develops riders in HSE or Forward Riding…for a lot of reasons, some of which include lack/cost of resources (outside courses with jumps going downhill will help riders develop a good base), liability (sending a rider through a gymnastic with no hands will certainly develop a good base…but not too many are keen on taking on that liability if something goes wrong), etc.[/QUOTE]
Rugbug, I’m a years long lurker on the forum and highly respect most of what you say, but sadly–I’m going to disagree. Poor training was definitely not the issue I faced. I spent my junior years with a top-notch eq trainer who regularly produces eq winners and is frequently recommended on these boards.
It wasn’t a trainer issue. It was an everyone has their “one big challenge” issue, and mine was my upper body. Even with it, I was pretty darn successful in the eq rings. But – I (and my trainers) were still never satisfied, and no amount of two-point or no-stirrups work could quite achieve perfection. Independent aids weren’t a problem.
In raising my experience–I just wanted to share with OP a potentially different perspective that might help her target her particular issue. “Strengthen your leg,” no-stirrups, and two-point are the common go-to solutions, and most of the time they are what the doctor prescribed. Most of the time, they work. But sometimes there is something else at play–and perhaps as a tall rider, OP might be having trouble with her upper body. It’s something she might raise with her trainer. Without seeing, none of us can tell.
Again, I don’t want this to turn into a debate on the merits of the Forward Riding System. It’s a fabulous system for some people and horses, and I’ve seen it demonstrated beautifully. It gave me a fantastic foundation and I’m forever thankful for the wonderful training I received as a junior.
BUT - that being said. For me as a tall rider, switching from the Forward Riding System to a deeper seat was the trick…for me. I didn’t quite have the problem OP had (not losing stirrups or anything), but I can see how her symptom could relate to what I faced.
Different styles and techniques work for different people. Various skills in your riding toolkit are extremely valuable to have. If the Forward Riding System works for you and produces results - great!
