Sitting trot at Training Level -- good or bad?

[Rain]

I’m entered in a small schooling show at the end of the month and I’m considering riding Training 1 posting, and Training 2 sitting. Just to see the difference in how it feels and how it scores.

I know it’s not supposed to make a difference from the judge’s perspective, as long as the test is ridden correctly. However, I’d be interested in hearing from both judges and people who have ridden the test as a competitor.

From judges, what mistakes do you see? From competitors, did you feel it was a better test? Or was your horse “less forward?” In MOST cases, did it turn out to be a good idea or a damn-I-should-have-posted?

[Scribbler]

I watched a very experienced friend showing Training, did sitting trot, and her dressage comments were to go ahead and post, she was bouncing around too much. I think the idea might be that once the gaits are really collected and extended they should be easier to sit, but at training level they aren’t.

[arlosmine]

This is a decision to be made on how your seat effects the horse. If your horse stiffens, drops his back or is any way negatively impacted by the sitting, don’t do it. If the effect of your seat is to enhance rather than impair the way your horse moves, do it for sure.

[RedHorses]

If sitting restricts your horse in any way, especially forward, the judge is going to be sitting there the whole time thinking “Post the trot!”

[Hej]

At training level your judge wants to see a forward moving, supple, obedient horse.

If sitting the trot enhances those qualities, you should sit.

If posting the trot enhances those qualities, you should post.

MOST (not all) training level horses are not yet strong enough in their backs or carrying enough weight on their hind legs to move freely forward in trot with the rider sitting. They will therefore shorten their steps in an effort to stay balanced, OR the rider shortens the steps to make the trot easier to sit.

As you pointed out, OP, you get no ‘bonus’ for sitting vs posting. only your horse’s performance is being judged. Do what shows your horse off in the best possible way, and good luck!

[BigMama1]

Depends on how good your sitting trot is. True you will not get any “bonus” points for sitting instead of posting. But I have seen many riders lose points by doing so because it negatively affected how their horse goes

[MysticOakRanch]

[QUOTE=Scribbler;8788466]
. I think the idea might be that once the gaits are really collected and extended they should be easier to sit, but at training level they aren’t.[/QUOTE]

Actually, the idea is based on the assumption that at Training level, the horse is a young horse (3 or 4 years old), just starting its riding career. And young horses are generally not strong enough yet in the back for sitting trot. Of course, that is not always reality, but most often, it is an inexperienced horse or an inexperienced rider (or both), and either way, it is easier on the horse to get them relaxed, swinging in the back, and with energy if the rider posts.

Generally, judges want the horse to go well - and usually at Training Level, that means the rider should post.

I scribe a lot, and judge some schooling shows every year, and what I see and hear (from the judge when scribing) is the horse sucks back, hollows, loses energy, stiffens back, etc when the rider is sitting. So unless you have a great seat, why would you sit when you can post?

[Magicboy]

I have scribed many times when the judge commented that posting was allowed and should be used.

[Janet]

Every time I have thought my Training level horse went better sitting than posting-

The judge disagreed.

[Highflyer]

[QUOTE=Janet;8788851]
Every time I have thought my Training level horse went better sitting than posting-

The judge disagreed.[/QUOTE]

Me too! In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever scribed a Training test where the rider sat the majority of the trotwork and not had the judge say this.

[ArabDiva]

[QUOTE=Janet;8788851]
Every time I have thought my Training level horse went better sitting than posting-

The judge disagreed.[/QUOTE]

Same here.

I’ve learned to do some strategic sitting…can be helpful in and out of transitions, corners, etc but for the most part I’ve done best at training level when I rise.

[FitToBeTied]

I sit the trot and just take the hit from the judge. I’ve worked with my horse enough to know what works better. I’ve even had my trainer watch and her comment was that he was better and more collected under the sitting trot. We also get much better transitions in and out of the trot from the sitting trot.

I do think there are some judges that just don’t want to see it at the lower levels.

[exploding_pony]

Here’s the thing: the judge doesn’t know your horse goes better sitting, the judge is very likely thinking “why on earth is someone sitting the trot at training level when they could be posting” because generally you are competing at training level because one of you is inexperienced (either the rider is learning dressage, the horse is learning dressage or you are both learning dressage together).

It’s not something I would personally do.

[ACMEeventing]

[QUOTE=FitToBeTied;8788905]
I sit the trot and just take the hit from the judge. I’ve worked with my horse enough to know what works better. I’ve even had my trainer watch and her comment was that he was better and more collected under the sitting trot. We also get much better transitions in and out of the trot from the sitting trot.

I do think there are some judges that just don’t want to see it at the lower levels.[/QUOTE]

But collection is not required (or encouraged) at Training Level. The horse should be demonstrating the “working paces”.

Although I agree about sitting for a few strides before and after transitions to help balance.

[MysticOakRanch]

[QUOTE=exploding pony;8788937]
Here’s the thing: the judge doesn’t know your horse goes better sitting, the judge is very likely thinking “why on earth is someone sitting the trot at training level when they could be posting” because generally you are competing at training level because one of you is inexperienced (either the rider is learning dressage, the horse is learning dressage or you are both learning dressage together).

It’s not something I would personally do.[/QUOTE]

I agree, but would add, the judge DOES get to see posting when you do the stretchy circle - and inevitably, the trot improves when the rider posts!

[Rain]

Hmmm, so far NO ONE has said, “yep, I got a much higher score when I sat the trot,” and no scribes/judges have reported saying, “horse would have moved better at the sitting trot.”

Anyone have a report on a test that was performed half sitting, half posting? (not just moments of sitting, like in and out of transitions)

[ToN_Farm]

Check out the Regional and National winners at Training and First and see whether they sit or not. I say most do. A good rider can connect a horse better at sitting trot. Most horses showing at Training Level are not 3&4 years old. The funny thing is that I’ll bet the ones that are 3&4 are ridden by pros that do sit. It’s the novice riders on older horses that rise because they can’t sit well.
Decades ago, sitting trot was required at Training Level Test 3 and at Novice Level eventing.

A training level test is ~5 minutes, which just a couple minutes of trot. It’s not like you are sitting the trot for long periods.

[SendenHorse]

[QUOTE=Rain;8789440]
Anyone have a report on a test that was performed half sitting, half posting? (not just moments of sitting, like in and out of transitions)[/QUOTE]

you can’t mix and match, either sit OR rise, unless specified as posting.

[SendenHorse]

I don’t think anyone really does sit the trot at TL. Do what works for your horse, but as others have said-- you should be able to sit really well.

[Beentheredonethat]

[QUOTE=Rain;8789440]
Hmmm, so far NO ONE has said, “yep, I got a much higher score when I sat the trot,” and no scribes/judges have reported saying, “horse would have moved better at the sitting trot.”

Anyone have a report on a test that was performed half sitting, half posting? (not just moments of sitting, like in and out of transitions)[/QUOTE]

Yes, It’s perfectly fine to go back and forth between sitting and posting despite someone’s wrong advice. I did it on my young one last year because I have a hard time riding a curved line posting.

The judge’s attitude is whatever makes your horse go better.I like your idea of sitting one and posting one and seeing how you like it. Remember, even if the judge may think you would have gone better one way or another, it’s only a guess. But, in general, posting training is a good idea.

Think about what is better for you. If you are a really strong rider who can wrap your legs around the horse and support them, maybe sitting is a good idea. You could get a better quality gait. Maybe you have a back or knee issue that makes it hard for you to sit, so posting is a smarter choice.