Читать книгу Geoff Teall on Riding Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation - Geoff Teall - Страница 16

Riding isn’t complicated. It isn’t easy, either. It is a discipline that requires you to work hard at perfecting the basics, even though the “basics” are simple to understand. Keep your heels down. Establish an even pace. Maintain steady contact. These are not complicated concepts, but they can take a long time to master.

In the same vein, holding the reins isn’t physically difficult (it is quite simple, really), but you must hone the skills required so the reins feel natural in your hands rather than awkward.

The best rider is not great because he does all sorts of complicated or difficult moves on the horse. He isn’t the one who does bizarre, outrageous, obvious, or esoteric things.

The best rider is the one who does the simplest, most classic, most artful pieces of riding better than anybody else. His leg position is better than anybody else’s, and so is the position of his hands and his arms. His discipline, cleanliness, and timeliness are better. He excels in the simple things, and that gives him the foundation for greatness.

2.5 You want to be as much a part of the horse as possible so the two of you are better able to do interesting things together.