Sitting Trot...Training Test?

[NewbieEventer]

I was looking at the Training Level Test 1, and am not sure where exactly sitting trot is absolutely required. Sitting the trot is still very much a work-in-progress for me, so I’ll probably chose to post except in those places where it’s absolutely required.

This is my understanding from the test for areas where sitting is mandatory;

• “F working trot sitting” to “C medium walk” (basically just the serpentine)
• “M working trot sitting” to “C circle left 20m rising trot” (cross diagonal)
• “C working trot sitting” to end of test (1/4 elliptical loop around the ring)

To summarize, I only have to “sit”: 3-loop serpentine; across diagonal; 1/4 elliptical loop around ring)

And all other trots can be posting? Or will I get huge deductions for not sitting the other trots

Also, any tips on surviving the sitting trot are welcomed :yes:

[Dressurfan]

what test?

Are you talking about a USEF dressage test or an eventing dressage test? If you are talking about “dressage-dressage” then you are not talking about training level, but rather first level test 1. In first level test 1 you must sit everything except the stretchy circle and the trot-lengthenings. In training level dressage you may sit or post all the trot work, except the stretchy circle where you must rise. I don’t know about the eventing tests.

[cheekyhorse]

you can post all of the trot work at training level in dressage, you do not have to sit during any part.

[Ambrey]

It must be eventing dressage, because that’s not TL 1!

[asterix]

Nope, not eventing dressage. For some bizarre reason there is NO sitting trot required at Training level, only at Preliminary. The test bits quoted don’t sound like either the Training or Prelim tests.

[Ambrey]

This is TL test one:

http://www.usef.org/documents/disciplines/dressage/tests/abridged/Training%201.pdf

[merrygoround]

Getting someone to put you on the longe, and teach you the sitting trot.

I cannot but wonder what someone, who has not mastered riding to the level of capability at the sitting trot, is doing on there eventing.

Getting grayer by the second. :lol: :lol:

[quietann]

[QUOTE=merrygoround;4013939]

I cannot but wonder what someone, who has not mastered riding to the level of capability at the sitting trot, is doing on there eventing.

Getting grayer by the second. :lol: :lol:[/QUOTE]

I rather suspect that many people competing at Beginner Novice and Novice level are not perfect at sitting the trot. And some people, or some person-horse combinations, just never quite get it. I can sit the trot of a smooth mover, but have trouble with a bouncy one.

You do sound a bit like a “back in the day we were not allowed to be seen riding in public until we could sit the trot for 5 miles to school, both ways” person…

[Ambrey]

[QUOTE=quietann;4013944]

You do sound a bit like a “back in the day we were not allowed to be seen riding in public until we could sit the trot for 5 miles to school, both ways” person…[/QUOTE]

:lol:

[slc2]

She has a point though. I find it difficult to imagine anyone jumping well if they can’t sit a trot. Not just staying on and following the horse, but setting it up properly, half halting it when needed, and doing more complicated, demanding jumps and galloping on really well between jumps.

Eventing used to be that someone could lope around with a loop in the reins and kind of slide over the jumps, and canter around, and ride like hell. There are a few places where one can do that, but not many.

[Eventer13]

[QUOTE=slc2;4014045]
She has a point though. I find it difficult to imagine anyone jumping well if they can’t sit a trot. Not just staying on and following the horse, but setting it up properly, half halting it when needed, and doing more complicated, demanding jumps and galloping on really well between jumps.

Eventing used to be that someone could lope around with a loop in the reins and kind of slide over the jumps, and canter around, and ride like hell. There are a few places where one can do that, but not many.[/QUOTE]

Well, there is a difference between the half-assed sitting of many lower level eventers (and I’m sure dressage riders, too), and the professional’s seat. I could “sit” at beginner novice, but I had difficulty controlling my seat. I did not absorb the motion particularily well, even though I wasn’t actually bouncing, I was just stiff. I am much better now, and I have no problem giving aids through the seat. Actually, I prefer sitting the trot, but my horse still goes better when I post, so I usually do a little of both as needed.

And I DO think most training level riders can perform a decent sitting trot (heck, most novice riders can), but maybe not to the degree where they are ready to do so in a test. Then, of course, you have the riders who want to sit because all the pros do it, and it really hurts their test scores because they aren’t yet good enough to do so without interfering with the horse.

[mbm]

[QUOTE=slc2;4014045]
She has a point though. I find it difficult to imagine anyone jumping well if they can’t sit a trot. .[/QUOTE]

so debbie McD couldnt jump well when she was doing hunters?

because she had to learn to sit the trot when she started dressage and she thought would never be able to do it!

the above is per articles and her book, i believe.

[ddashaq]

I scribed for several judges last year who strongly recommended that people NOT sit the trot until required to do so, with the exception of those few riders that had exceptional seats-- of which there were very few riders at BN/N level eventing. Most of the people who could not sit the trot well jumped just fine at the (low) level they were at. I cannot say that I have recently scribed at a dressage show, but all the judges I scribed for last year were “R” dressage judges.

[Mary_in_Area_1]

I own a 26 horse eventing and dressage barn. I can honestly and quite emphatically state that being able to sit the trot well has absolutely NO correlation to being able to jump around a XC course well.

I think Merry is thinking of rudimentary sitting (i.e. staying on at the trot without posting) while some of us are talking about being able to follow and enhance the trot work of a big moving horse. Not the same cup o’ tea!

[CosMonster]

Yep, I agree…when I was riding hunters I could sit the trot, but I couldn’t sit the trot. I was still an effective and safe jumper, though. However, even at the time I was aware of the difference and would have probably described my sitting trot as a “work in progress,” much like the OP (heck, I still describe it as such…and my canter, and my walk ;)).

[meupatdoes]

Slick, I don’t know what kind of jumping you have been watching in slick-land, but over here in the h/j and eventing world most jumping occurs at the canter or gallop.

And many of those loons don’t even sit that, sashaying their heinie in the air in their two point the whole way round.

[slc2]

Well, over here in slick-land, most of the successful eventers sit the trot better than most of the dressage riders. They overall ride better, including sitting the trot.

And in fact, the ability to sit the trot is actually a pretty good indicator of how they ride cross country, at least if someone is willing to look and think and consider.

The eventers who sit into the trot really well, actually, are more supple, more adjustable, more agile cross country, faster at fixing mistakes in front of fences, better at using their body and lower back, better at using their reins, have a more independent seat and rein, on cross country.

And in fact, I actually think that jumping and galloping is related to how well people sit the trot. It helps the rider develop a better seat as well.

Sure, there are some who avoid mastering the sitting trot, but they don’t score all that well in eventing. They score less well in dressage, and they don’t ride as well cross country.

And yes, actually, most of the show jumpers I know who win and do well, actually DO sit the trot rather well, and school a lot of dressage on their horses too.

The good eventers around here out-ride 99% of the lower level dressage people, plus, most of the dressage people in any area don’t actually sit the trot too well themselves, and they show at training level specifically so they don’t have to sit the trot.

[merrygoround]

[QUOTE=quietann;4013944]

You do sound a bit like a “back in the day we were not allowed to be seen riding in public until we could sit the trot for 5 miles to school, both ways” person…[/QUOTE]

In 6 inches of snow.

[NewbieEventer]

Sorry for my confusing post…I meant First Level USEF test 1

I do realize I really need to work on my seat. I could sit the trot decently with my last horse, but the horse I currently have is such a huge mover (esp at the trot) that I find it extremely difficult to maintain constant/smooth/fluid contact with his back at the trot. He literally bounces me out of the saddle every time his inside hind comes up. When I do try to sit his trot, I feel like I’m getting whiplashed in my lower back trying to follow his motion. I’ve talked to my trainer (a relatively BNT in eventing) about sitting his trot…and she said not to bother until I start getting ready for Prelim. I would like to practice more sitting trots to develop my seat, but am worried about hurting my horse’s back. Are there any exercises out of the saddle I can do to help me reach this next level? Also, do you think it makes a difference whether I’m using a dressage saddle or jump saddle? (currently only have a jump/cc saddle)

We are eventing at the lower levels (BN/N), and do jump all of stadium and cx in 2-point or light 3-point at the canter. I’d like to get a bit more involved in dressage and am wanting to do some recognized shows this year…just hoping that I don’t get laughed out of the ring

[enjoytheride]

Funny, you’d think all those dressage queens who think they belong at first and second level would bother learning how to sit the trot before they go out in public.