Small 'cheats' at shows?

[EquineRacers]

Hope I don’t start any wars on here, but I bet there will be something to be said.

Does it really seem fair to have alittle cheats at horse shows? By cheats I mean, that sticky stuff riders put on their boots to make their legs stick to the saddle so they don’t move or even those stirrups you can buy where your foot will be dead planted in one position and not moved?

I recently just picked back up showing and learned about a few ‘tricks’ here and there from other riders and I have to say I was a bit surprised! When I used to show 10 or so years ago, we didn’t have anything like that. If our leg were loose, we had to really school ourselves and fix it. Now, you can just add some stick stuff and be okay and some go onto win the class.

I’d much rather do it the right way and improve my riding and fix my mistakes, but now days it just seems as you do what you can do to win, even if it isn’t all that honest. I konw they are just minor things, but even so they are ‘holes’ in your riding and Equitation.

Just curious what other thought of all this?

[spmoonie]

My barn mates use the sticky stuff. I dont really care for it. I like to “earn” my good leg position! :winkgrin: In the long run, it makes me more proud of myself.

[hellerkm]

[QUOTE=EquineRacers;4484888]
Hope I don’t start any wars on here, but I bet there will be something to be said.

Does it really seem fair to have alittle cheats at horse shows? By cheats I mean, that sticky stuff riders put on their boots to make their legs stick to the saddle so they don’t move or even those stirrups you can buy where your foot will be dead planted in one position and not moved?

I recently just picked back up showing and learned about a few ‘tricks’ here and there from other riders and I have to say I was a bit surprised! When I used to show 10 or so years ago, we didn’t have anything like that. If our leg were loose, we had to really school ourselves and fix it. Now, you can just add some stick stuff and be okay and some go onto win the class.

I’d much rather do it the right way and improve my riding and fix my mistakes, but now days it just seems as you do what you can do to win, even if it isn’t all that honest. I konw they are just minor things, but even so they are ‘holes’ in your riding and Equitation.

Just curious what other thought of all this?[/QUOTE]

At the risk of getting blasted I will say, I NEVER heard of the stick stuff until this summer LOL!! I am older my KIDS are now riding and showing and this summer at a jumper show my niece asked for some of the “stick stuff” I had no idea what she was talking about and my mom ( who is a VERY traditional EQ type trainer) was not thrilled that my niece ( who trains in another state during the winter) knew what is was! turns out my niece had her own supply LOL!!! Mom on the other hand vetoed the use of it and told her she would be riding without stirrups for the rest of the week LOL!! Tricks may work for the “in the moment” stuff but good hard work and time in the saddle are what really win blue ribbons!

[Tap2Tango]

I’m assuming you are talking about in the EQ since that is the only place your leg position would really matter. I use it but I ride jumpers. It helps secure your leg but not like your going to win an EQ final or anything if you general leg position is that bad! A LOT of GP riders use it and they are on 6 + horses a day so you know they have a good base. I know for my past horse I needed all the help I could get when it came to sticking in the saddle as she was super hot.

[indygirl2560]

My old trainer actually used that stuff! I saw her and some of the barn girls put it on before doing the big(4ft) jumpers. I personally won’t use it, and won’t it still make everything really sticky after you ride?

[EquineRacers]

[QUOTE=Tap2Tango;4484919]
I’m assuming you are talking about in the EQ since that is the only place your leg position would really matter. I use it but I ride jumpers. It helps secure your leg but not like your going to win an EQ final or anything if you general leg position is that bad! A LOT of GP riders use it and they are on 6 + horses a day so you know they have a good base. I know for my past horse I needed all the help I could get when it came to sticking in the saddle as she was super hot. ;)[/QUOTE]

But, wouldn’t it be more self satifing if you really worked on improving yourself on that “hot” horse to where you don’t need assistants??? I ride racehorses and as we know they are all over the place feeling all good, but I have never even a thought to put something on to help me stay on, never thought that would be the answer or the right solution. JMO

[CBoylen]

It’s wax, not glue. If you’re coming off, you’re coming off.
It doesn’t make enough of a difference to worry about it, although it might make someone feel more secure.

[Seven-up]

I don’t mind either of the things mentioned, for the most part.

The sticky stuff I’m fine with, except when I have to give someone a leg up and my arm gets all sticky. It’s not like the stuff keeps you glued to the saddle, it just makes things a little more grippy. I think I may have only used it once in my life, but when my greenie is finally ready to show, I’ll be getting some of the spray. But we’ll be doing the hunters.

I have the cheese grater stirrup pads, and again, they help, but your foot can still move around. They’re not magical.

Even though I don’t mind these things in general, I do agree that maybe in EQ classes there should be some extra rules. I’ve always thought those angled stirrup pads and flexible stirrups were cheating a little bit, which is sort of along the same lines of what you’re talking about.

If you get enough people to agree with you, maybe you can get some rule changes made.

[Allagash_s_mom]

weird. when I was showing heavily 10 years or more ago, things like the sticky wax and others were pretty common. I think you were just out of the loop. sure there’s some ‘newer’ stuff now like better stirrup pads and stickier reins and better gloves, but that’s just technology improving.

[hellerkm]

[QUOTE=Seven-up;4484988]
I don’t mind either of the things mentioned, for the most part.

The sticky stuff I’m fine with, except when I have to give someone a leg up and my arm gets all sticky. It’s not like the stuff keeps you glued to the saddle, it just makes things a little more grippy. I think I may have only used it once in my life, but when my greenie is finally ready to show, I’ll be getting some of the spray. But we’ll be doing the hunters.

I have the cheese grater stirrup pads, and again, they help, but your foot can still move around. They’re not magical.

Even though I don’t mind these things in general, I do agree that maybe in EQ classes there should be some extra rules. I’ve always thought those angled stirrup pads and flexible stirrups were cheating a little bit, which is sort of along the same lines of what you’re talking about.

If you get enough people to agree with you, maybe you can get some rule changes made.[/QUOTE]

I agree with your thoughts on the EQ the whole point is be an exceptional rider with an exceptional position in the EQ.
cheese grater pads don’t both me in the Hunters, and the stirrups that flex are more of a hindrance than a help ( trust me) the “give” makes your leg swing BIG TIME, I use them and I am a former EQ rider and I find them to be a nightmare. I cannot switch or due to a previous pelvic and back break my legs goes completely numb and when I get down it will not support my weight, but man I long for my old filis weighted irons!!!
Each sport has its small cheats, gymnasts use the same “sticky stuff” to keep their bodys suits from riding up,( exposure will drop them points) or hair spray. Baseball players have chalk for the bat and stick um on their hands inside the glove so the glove does not slip. Riding has its own set, if you use them fine if not fine too, riding is 99% skill and 1% luck , stick um will not put that last 1% piece of the puzzle into place, only hard work and good karma will.

[spmoonie]

@Seven-up;4484988

I’ve always thought those angled stirrup pads and flexible stirrups were cheating a little bit, which is sort of along the same lines of what you’re talking about.

The stirrups are a gift from God! They are much easier on your joints (not the wallet though!) and just make the ride more pleasant.

[smm20]

We used to use the sticky stuff in IHSA. It does NOT transform swinging legs into blue ribbon equitation.

I liken it to the difference between riding in suede or slightly worn half-chaps and sleek, shiny tall boots.

[ThePerfectFit]

@smm20;4485048

We used to use the sticky stuff in IHSA. It does NOT transform swinging legs into blue ribbon equitation.

Its illegal in IHSA, yet just last week I saw a girl rubbing some on her boots in the bathroom.

Like everyone said, its NOT a miracle, your leg can still slide if you dont have that solid base of support.

That shoulders back thing by equifit (or any posture-type bra thingy) is another common “cheat” in equitation. Many riders wear it under their show shirts, and you really cant tell the difference between that and a sports bra. I’ve never (and will never) wear one, but thats another “problem” in the eq ring.

[mooonie]

Cheating is such a harsh word. I prefer to think of it as “enhancing” or “improving”, kind of like cosmetic surgery or mascara.

And now (drum roll please), I would like to announce my new line of velcro breeches and stirrup irons. They are guaranteed to keep your leg in place.

xxxooo

[MistyBlue]

I think the bendy/jointed irons make for a more swinging leg too. But they probably are more comfy for those with ankle issues, I would imagine trying to keep a deep ankle when you have previously injured ankles or a certain leve of arthritis in them would be painful.
I don’t think cheese grater irons would make a cheat. All those do is help keep your boot soles on the irons when you may have to swing a leg fast or have a woops moment over the fence in jumpers. And losing an iron in jumpers doesn’t matter one bit in yoour placing.
Do people in hunters ever use those?

[Seven-up]

I don’t use the bendy stirrups because of ankle issues, the exact opposite ones that make so many people love them.

My ankles are super flexible, and they go numb with regular fillis stirrups. Bendy stirrups make my heels go down even farther, and it’s intolerable. The bottom of my foot would literally be perpendicular to the ground. I also find them to make my leg more unstable and swingy, like hellerkm does. It gets harder and harder to find plain, normal weight, fillis irons though!

I guess I don’t like the flexi-stirrups because even though I’m naturally flexible, as a kid I still spent sooooo many hours standing on the stairs, stretching out my achilles tendons that I feel like everyone else should have to suffer too.:winkgrin:

Since we’re pining for the good old days, I think that all eq classes should be ridden in flat pancake saddles. Again, since I had to do it…and I didn’t need no stinkin’ saddle tite either!:lol:

[spmoonie]

[QUOTE=Seven-up;4485200]
I don’t use the bendy stirrups because of ankle issues, the exact opposite ones that make so many people love them.

My ankles are super flexible, and they go numb with regular fillis stirrups. Bendy stirrups make my heels go down even farther, and it’s intolerable. The bottom of my foot would literally be perpendicular to the ground. I also find them to make my leg more unstable and swingy, like hellerkm does. It gets harder and harder to find plain, normal weight, fillis irons though!

I guess I don’t like the flexi-stirrups because even though I’m naturally flexible, as a kid I still spent sooooo many hours standing on the stairs, stretching out my achilles tendons that I feel like everyone else should have to suffer too.:winkgrin:

Since we’re pining for the good old days, I think that all eq classes should be ridden in flat pancake saddles. Again, since I had to do it…and I didn’t need no stinkin’ saddle tite either!:lol:[/QUOTE]

We have opposite problems. :lol: I have tried and tried to stretch out those muscles by standing on staircases, books, etc. Im just not naturally flexible. So as you can imagine, the flexible stirrups are a godsend. I never really thought about them making my leg swing, but now that I think about it…That could be my issue. All of those hours of no-stirrup work with few results to show for it…:sadsmile:

[Seven-up]

[QUOTE=mooonie;4485143]
Cheating is such a harsh word. I prefer to think of it as “enhancing” or “improving”, kind of like cosmetic surgery or mascara.

And now (drum roll please), I would like to announce my new line of velcro breeches and stirrup irons. They are guaranteed to keep your leg in place.

xxxooo[/QUOTE]

Are boob jobs and mascara really in the same category for you? :winkgrin:

As to your other idea, hmmmm, velcro stirrup pads. I like it.

[smm20]

@ThePerfectFit;4485132

Its illegal in IHSA, yet just last week I saw a girl rubbing some on her boots in the bathroom.

Like everyone said, its NOT a miracle, your leg can still slide if you dont have that solid base of support.

Haha…I rode ISHA a looooooong time ago…like the ten years ago that the OP mentioned!

I can see why they banned it, but at least for me, it didn’t matter.

[superpony123]

I consider the sticky stuff to be a cheat.

Bendy stirrups though? Absolutely not. I would rather just take the stirrups off than ride with non-bendy stirrups (erm, in MOST cases) but then, I am lucky my saddle fits most horses. they can really hinder you actually, it makes it a lot easier for your leg to swing. HOWEVER, it can also be ridiculously painful to ride in regular stirrups. (which is why i would prefer to ride without stirrups if i dont have the option of bendy stirrups). my trainer refuses to ride in any saddle on a normal basis that does not have bending stirrups–he has had multiple knee surgeries and has arthritis and a lot of joint pain in general. for him, bendy stirrups are not a ‘cheat’ – theyre a necessity for him to ride without ruining his joints entirely. as for me, i haven’t had surgery or arthritis or anything (erm, i’m only 17 :)) but i am a LOT more comfortable riding with the bending ones than without. i can tolerate maybe 15 mins of riding with regular stirrups, but anything after that and my knees and ankles really ache, it gets intolerable.

not sure how i feel about those new stirrups though–the ones with magnets and the ones that “click” into your boot? i would never ride in those, i don’t feel they’re the safest. all i can think of is being the unlucky person to get the pair of click stirrups that malfunctions and will not release when i fall, and i will get dragged. 50/50 on whether or not i’m alive afterwords to sue the company! :lol: if you want to risk it, go ahead. but it’s not worth it to me.

regarding the equifit shoulders back, i am split on that. i feel that riding at home with it would be a good way to make you feel how your body SHOULD be all of the time when riding, and it is a good once-in-a-while training tool. BUT i do not feel you should be using it in the show ring. i DO think it would benefit everyone if they wore one when they are not even riding, because frankly I know I should–the concept of having my shoulders exactly where they should be is extremely unusual to me, to be honest. Ive got a very straight back, but my shoulders? it feels strange to force myself into putting them where they should be, and it does not feel right. i ought to invest in one because i cannot make myself hold my shoulders the way they should be exactly. it’s not super noticeable, but if i get a deep spot, it’s definitely noticeable because i hunch my shoulders. don’t know why, i just do. if i can convince myself to blow $50 on one of those ShouldersBack things, i’m pretty sure it would give me better posture over all. that is not cheating, it’s giving yourself better posture, something you should have in riding.