All other things being equal, yes, I would pin a following hand higher because it’s harder. But, once again, if you do it wrong, you have a mistake.
I’ve ordered a copy and it’s on its way–THANKS!
Well, I must say Paige and Twister’s responses are pretty depressing… Fashion over function, I guess! Especially considering that the top eq riders are certainly more than advanced enough to do an automatic release - and it looks so much more fluid and natural than the short crest releases with the riders’ elbows jammed back, or in an extreme broken line to the bit.
I’m sorry to see auto releases so out of favor; hopefully they will make a comeback as riding styles inevitably change!!
“Of course, that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.” - Dennis Miller
…and riding through grids w/out reins, with hands folded behind you, or in front of you, or on your head or carrying a glass of water in each hand? etc, etc, etc…
I got my copy of Form Over Fences yesterday–very good reading…
Well I’m going to jump into the kettle here. Does not the majority of the problem of today’s rider and the lack of a “following” hand come from the lack of independence of seat and hand? As in no true leg as base of support?
I would like to ask Paige, how much time do you spend schooling over fences, grid work etc, without irons? Also time on the flat without reins or irons?
Really just curious.
“The older I get, the better I used to be.”
I think the Auto Release is DOOMED!!!
From what I have read.
I don’t know if George Morris can put Humpty Dumpty back together again or not. 
As far as the auto release goes, at many shows, you just don’t see it in the equitation or hunter rings. When I do see it, I would view it like someone who does a turn on the haunch when I ask for the reverse- it can be bonus points/extra credit if you do it well, but if you do it poorly, you’ve completely shot yourself in the foot.
I would much rather watch riders do the crest release all day long than see poor defenseless horses get banged in the mouth by riders attempting an auto release before they’re ready to do it well. The cardinal sin in my book is getting left or catching the horse in the mouth for any reason.
As for the importance of style versus ability, when I judge an equitation class, in addition to giving a numerical score for each trip, I mark down a letter grade for the rider’s position and technique, which I use as a tie-breaker if the scores are close. So the pretty rider who misses a jump (grade A/score 72) won’t beat the less polished looking rider with a good trip (grade B/score 82), but the pretty rider mght beat a less polished rider who also missed (grade B-/score 71.5).
And remember, it’s all about comparing the relative merits in each class, and it’s all subjective. Another judge will have another opinion.
I’ve been practicing and I am going to wow them at the MHSA adult finals with my stunning auto release!
Now if I can just manage to stay on the horse…
I don’t think anyone was trying to bite your head off.
Judges have answered that they would consider an automatic or following release.
Equitation riders who have used it well have been well rewarded.
Just about every month George Morris writes in his critique how this or that rider should now start using the automatic release.
I guess I could write what everyone’s mother has asked them at least once in their life…“if your friend jumps off a cliff/bridge, does that mean you have to?” 
I was the thread killer!!!
Barb 
Because I have been out of the riding for so many years, and I came back to seeing the auto release extinct, and the crest release thriving.
This whole thread has been a wonderful conversation.
But the theories on the stirrup lengths is something I find interesting to think about.
forgot to add on thing…
another reason i think you see more crest releases in the hunter ring versus eventers is that in eventing we are taught if given the choice get left behind and slip the reins…hunters on the other hand seem to get ahead more which results on a crest release-how can you do an auto when you are laying on your horse’s neck:)
for fun-here is a pic of me when I was 10 or 11 on my pony at an event…not quite an auto but close:)
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1348627&a=10040823&p=46652616&Sequence=0&res=high
“There are times when you can trust a horse, time when you can’t, and times when you have to.”
Also, it is percieved to be a technique that only the elite have use for…my trainer began to teach it to me back when I was in limit equitation–the idea of advancing to the Medal level (there were no minis in those days) without it would have been preposterous back then. I think the “system” we’ve evolved here has become so protective of the horse’s mouth and back at the lower levels, that beginner and intermediate riders have very little opportunity to develop a solid base at an early stage–by the time they reach a point where they have become “successful” in the show ring, they are resistant to accepting new ideas, and the only motivation for many trainers is to keep the client and keep the ribbons rolling in–besides which, who needs any release at all on one of those 200K big eq specialists that have learned to jump without moving a muscle forward of the withers?
Aaaahhh! Thank you- you learn something new every day! (Hopefully!)
I understand that I can’t change the view, but at least I can be content knowing that I can use the releases… and can ride and jump bareback or with no reins… ( don’t want to try both! eek) Just saying SOME 'whipersnappers" can do it.
I THINK I use a short crest release, but, anyway; here are two pics showing my release. And, yes, I know my eq horribly sucked, but those were taken a little over a year ago. (June 2000)
In the pics of the good jumping hunters where the crest release doesn’t restrict, you’ll see no tension on the horse’s mouth. The horse is free to use itself without interference.
“Always speak your mind, but ride a fast horse” – Texas Bix Bender
Bumpkining up again. Love this topic.
“Have You Hugged Your Trainer Today?”
Just_me, do you know the height of the fence in that pic?
YIKES. Don’t think it would be me.
…and from Argentina, Ramiro Quintana (who rides for Joe), on Lacoste).
