Awareness of the outside world. Reminder for US residents. Today. “Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4.” Note to self, 1:20 CT. FEMA: FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for Oct. 4, 2023. [Small Steps]
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Photo by Ten Toes Outdoors. [Show Media]
Saddle seat versus other English disciplines (hunter/jumper/eventing/dressage). Same same in different dress or alien entities? An ongoing question.
Different
At my last lesson, we discussed pushing my heels away from the horse. If you ever see a head-on photo of a winning saddle seat equitation rider, their lower legs are stuck out to the side like pontoons on a boat.
Wedging one’s feet out helps drive the knees into the saddle. In saddle seat, this is desirable. In other English, one is specifically told NOT to pinch with the knees.
I also found that pushing my lower legs to the side got me to slide back in the saddle and sit up. In saddle seat, one sits way back on the cantle; in other English, middle of the saddle. Everyone – from your first grade teacher on – wants you to sit up.
I found this tip to be a particularly helpful reminder, as I am inclined to bring my feet in and ride off my lower leg, as I am doing in the photo from the show, above.
Not So Different
I tried this at home.
In addition to bringing the heels out, the lesson covered rotating my feet so that my heels were – ideally – farther from the horse than my toes. At the very least one’s feet should point straight ahead.
This is true for both styles of riding.
I realized this was not the case. See photo.
In bringing my lower leg into contact with the horse, I was rolling my leg, as one does. Knees sticking out like chicken wings rather than straight ahead. It wasn’t too bad. The back seams of my tall boots were still off the horse. But I could feel my entire leg in a better position along Rodney’s side with my heels rotated out.
But not, of course, with my knees digging in.
Lesson Note The First
Much like Sam, Optimus went much better when I finally sat up and rode what he perceived as correctly.
Unlike Sam, Optimus would wander around and ignore me if I chose to give incorrect signals. Sam used to get annoyed, ‘Excuse me, do I look like a hunter? If you care to ride me like a saddlebred, I will continue to go like a saddlebred.’ [Show Report: Dixie Cup, Conyers GA] 2013
“I sat too far back, lifted my hands to my eyebrows, and started trying to fix it like a saddle seat rider. Sam is never happy with my ersatz hunter moves.” [Team Awesome] 2016
This is not new, even with Optimus. [Saddlebred Steadiness] 2022
Lesson Note The Second
Minor panic attack. I sat up and rode. Optimus got just the tiniest bit bright. I started getting urgent messages over the comm.
Engine room: She gonna blow!
Bridge: No. That’s why I am riding a school horse.
This is not new either. [That Moment When You Remember You Are On A School Horse]
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 
Way beyond me. But interesting.
Saddle seat always seems alien to me. DER