Sitting or rising...which is correct?

[charleykips]

Iv been watching a few dressage tests on Youtube and no one seems to do rising trot? is it optional or does it just include higher levels?

[ceej]

my mother never let me school at all in rising trot - she said it was for distance riding, hacking, or saving the back of a horse whose muscles were not ready for too much sitting, but not flatwork....dunno why and doesnt mean she's right!! - guess leg aids are easier at sitting and true classical seat not kept when rising?

[racaille]

It might be different over here but I can't remember ever seeing rising trot in a dressage test. And when we're schooling we are allowed to rise for extended trot if we are old biddies (hmmm ) but otherwise it's always sitting ....

[fleabitten]

We usually rise. In Prelim tests that I have done Ive always risen.

[fimacg]

you can do either at the lower levels i.e. prelim novice etc

when I was writing for a jusge once she said she hated seeing people try to sit who just couldn't do it instead of rising and being in balance. I have used a combination of sitting and rising trot in dressage tests with Chompy in order to try to get the best from him and it was never commented upon.

If you are comfortable sit, if not rise and get a better quality of trot going.

[brigadier]

Echo Fi above- spot on!

[Becca]

i agree with fi. but remember if you do rise to be on the correct diagonal!!!! try to learn it by feel so you don't have to look down if you can

[ronansmum]

Jan 7, 2009 11:30:11 GMT Becca said:

i agree with fi. but remember if you do rise to be on the correct diagonal!!!! try to learn it by feel so you don't have to look down if you can

Now that is a very good point. But which is the right way? I gather Continental dressage riding wants you rising at the inside shoulder but British wants outside shoulder or have I got that mixed up??? To be honest I have always been usless at diagonals, I am so uncordinated that I never know what I am doing when I look down at either shoulder, i.e. I never know if I am rising or sitting.

Can't do sitting for more than a few strides, very aware of poor Ro's back! I can almost feel it caving in...

[duckles]

Ronansmum- there was a very good thing on how to feel your diagonals in the Brig and Maxi workout section. (which will also help sitting trot)
I would be with Fi on the rising/sitting debate. But I would always rise when riding a young horse as I was led to believe their muscles haven't fully developed.

[kayw]

judges mark you down for rising up to about elementary level. for schooling tips, how-to's and guides on dress and turnout check out Olympic Dressage Team member Laura bechtolsheimer here: www.horsehero.com/5201/5214

[racaille]

Here in France we sit as the outside shoulder comes back. Interestingly, the Saumur prof who gave us our masterclass (ninny class in my case ;D) said this was just a riding school convention to make sure their horses are worked on both sides equally and that on our own horses, when schooling, we should be changing diagonals every 10 to 15 strides (obviously not applicable during a test).

[fleabitten]

I dont think I would remember to change mine avery 10-15 strides! ;D

[ronansmum]

Jan 7, 2009 12:01:02 GMT duckles said:

Ronansmum- there was a very good thing on how to feel your diagonals in the Brig and Maxi workout section. (which will also help sitting trot)

Yes I saw that Ducks and tried my v best to implement it. But that is when poor Ro's back buckled, or so I thought, so I gave up...

[flyingfox]

i've always been good at and enjoyed doing sitting trot, however at the moment i haven't done it for ages so i'd be hopless at the mo. i do agree that you should rise with a younger horse to help there back and that's probs why in the lower level dressage tests it's optional.