Did anyone else notice what lovely riders the competitors were in the photos that COTH published. The kids looked so much stronger and more competent than so many of the show hunter riders who drape all over their horses’ necks. I was also impressed with the number who managed auto releases, even as teens and tots.
Yes, I also noticed it right away. I don’t understand it- arena youth, national and local, in a year end competition and the O/F snapshot, the release. 
I know those arena youth can ride the snot out of technical equitation course because COTH writers tell me so, can switch horses and ride a course and so on but why such an imperfect release.every.single.year.?? 
It was nice to see strirrups short enough for jumping too. 
What good luck, I got that issue today and checked it out. They give me hope for the future! Can we get THEIR riding instructors to teach the equitation riders?
I’m mightily impressed, too, with that nice paint Butterfly Painting- winning the senior and coming 2nd with a junior says ‘pretty dang good horse’ to me.
Master Matz is clearly his father’s son- did well last year too, I think.
I would like to steal Hanky Panky. If necessary I will adopt a young rider as a cover.
Isn’t the Matz youth’s form timeless?? That photo could have been snapped in 1940 and I mean that as a high complement!
Ditto the VFHC instructors teaching modern day equitation riders. Too bad that the judges have to pin a first place rider- do it like 4H (the Danish system) and I hope we would see the EQ riders do away with that goofy crest release, at least at the advanced level.
Yep, “The Fly” is a VERY nice horse! Her owner, Robyn, is a GREAT whipper-in (and friend!), and she and her pretty paint mare make a great team!
Julia, the junior who came in reserve in the Jr. Fieldhunter Championships on Butterfly is also a fabulous whipper-in. She adores the hounds, has whelped and raised puppies, and is a sweet, kind, polite girl. Julia is an incredibly hard worker and a compassionate horsewoman, and the kind of teenager that is a joy to be around!
JTA
