Rider position and individual variation

I wonder if Heather Blitz ever imagined that sharing wonderful Paragon videos with the world might have a down side. Specifically, would she ever have predicted she'd get picked apart by some cheeky blogger who is perennially "schooling second level."

Disclaimer! Disclaimer!
This is not so much a critique (I greatly admire her riding, actually), as a blogger wondering aloud. The question: must my position fit the classical mold 100%, or might there be room for individual variation?I love Heather's riding, I love to watch her hands, and I appreciate her quiet influence and tactful authority. She looks more like an all around horsewoman than a dressage rider per se -- like she could transition easily to show jumping, hunters, or reining.

A matter of style
I have pondered HB's position, and to my amateur eye, her dressage position differs from what I have come to believe is desired/ideal. Her stirrups seem a bit shorter, and there is more angle in her knee, than other dressage riders at her level. While her upper body is erect, her shoulders are -- well -- almost a little rounded. She does not seem to sit quite as deep as other dressage riders. Compare Heather's position to Courtney King-Dye. Different, yes?

Heather

Courtney King-Dye

Maybe I haven't seen enough upper level riders, and they differ more in their position/style than I realize. Again, I don't mean this as a criticism -- she's obviously very talented. Then why do I pose these questions?

For selfish reasons, of course!
As a tall rider I find myself tending to continue a lifelong habit of hunching while I ride. I have to fight it with every stride. Also the classic long dressage leg, with the ball of the foot just barely reaching the stirrup, is difficult for me -- can't keep my leg quiet. Could Heather's position be an adaptation for a female rider who is especially tall?

So, am I looking for a good excuse to continue my slouching ways? Am I imagining these position traits? Help me out here!

Quaterback sons licensed!

ACK -- video no longer available, but...
Two sons of QUATERBACK have been licensed in Neustadt for breeding at the Körung des Pferdezuchtverbandes Brandenburg-Anhalt. The Champion of the Dressage stallions was out of a Kolibri - Vers II (Tk) dam. These are the first of his sons to be presented out of his first foal crop. There are others to come in Oldenburg next week.

11/15/2009




Quaterback son Becomes 2009 Brandenburger Licensing Champion from Eurodressage.com

And for fun, here is a Quaterback stallion prospect in the U.S. (link shared with me by owner, Emily Keene).

More inspection photos (a new Project Runway?)

Again we're looking at photos from the Fair Hill inspection, USEventing blog. At the risk of sounding like Michael Kors on Project Runway, Jill Walton shows impeccable fashion sense, showing up in an outfit that suits her and absolutely offsets My Sedona's coloring. The white pants bring out the blaze, the russet tones bring out the Sedona's coat color, the hat just brings it all home. What a super pair...



Here are Nate Chambers and Rolling Stone II. Both horse and rider share the same moody, somber gaze, it's a dramatic image. Change the backdrop and the clothing, this could be Heathcliff with his black horse in a remake of the gothic romance Wuthering Heights.

Oh, and I love the sideburns.
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In every great horse rider partnership...

One will occasionally look like they overslept...

If you aren't into eventing, the horse inspections are kind of a dress-up occasion. Here Ronald Zabala-Goetschel and Che Italica trot before the vets at the Fair Hill horse inspection -- photo from Eventing USA. Ronald is dressed to impress, but his horse looks like he had a hard night. A very cute photo.


The eventing horse inspection
I've actually never attended an inspection in person, but here is the Wikipedia description: "Before the beginning of a three day event, and also before the last phase, horses are inspected by a vet to ensure that they are fit to compete further. It is usually a very formal affair, with well-groomed and braided horses, and nicely dressed riders. It is also a very nerve-racking time, as the "pass" or "fail" determines whether the horse may continue with the competition."