Bookshelf > Hunter/Jumper > Riding Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation

Geoff Teall on Riding Hunters, Jumpers, and Equitation: Develop a Winning Style
by Geoff Teall and Ami Hendrickson

Softcover: 280 pages (May 2006)
Language: English
Trafalgar Square Publishing:
ISBN 1570763445

Last night I was watching a TV show called The Monastery, a reality TV show about five men from the outside world who stay with Benedictine monks for six weeks. At one point in the show, a brother is explaining about the place of books in their personal and spiritual growth. He said, “I can point to a tree in the distance and say ‘Look, a bird.’ And you look and look, and then you see it and you say, ‘Oh! A bird!’ ...Books are like that. They can point for you, but you have to find it and experience it for yourself.”

So, what does this have to do with Geoff Teall’s new book on Riding Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation? Like any other book, you have to connect it to your practical experience for it to be able to change the way you ride. The advice is sound, thorough and well-presented. If you are going to buy one primer on riding hunters and equitation, you can’t go wrong with this book. But, if you already have a shelf of such books, you probably won’t find much that’s new here... at least, not in the front half of the book, which covers basics such as riding goals and position over fences. A useful addition is the ‘Judge’s Card’, a summary section at the end of each chapter where Teall reveals what he looks for on a particular point when judging.

The last two chapters, about 60 pages, are the most interesting. In the chapter on Course Work, Teall breaks down each type of line encountered on a hunter course, from beginning to end, and gives detailed tips on how to practice at home and how to ride it in the show ring. This is the real meat-and-potatoes of the book for riders who are already experienced over fences and in the show ring, and are looking for ways to improve their round. Specific exercises and practice courses are included.

The last chapter is titled ‘Notes for Riding Instructors’. Teall talks about a coach’s responsibility to their students and how to achieve the best out of them. A reviewer on Amazon.com wrote, “If only every instructor were required to read it and take it to heart – we should all be so lucky.”

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Table of Contents

Foreword by George Morris
Introduction by Joe Fargis

1. An Introduction to Balanced Riding
A Definition of Terms
The Benefits of Equitation

2. Why Ride? Motivators and Philosophy
The Classic Approach
Equitation as Art
Building a Solid Foundation
Focus on Causes Rather Than Symptoms
Less is More
Getting "The Point"

3. Instruction Matters
Assembling Your Riding Team
Choosing an Instructor
Instructors vs. Clinicians
Private Lessons vs. Group Instruction
The Student's Perspective
Venturing Out on Your Own

4. Goal-Oriented Riding
Ride With Purpose
Planning For Your Future
Goal Setting: Low & Slow
The Quest for Perfection
Train Over Time

5. Riding in Competition
Choosing a Show
Understanding the Sport
    Hunt Seat Equitation: Perfect Position
    Hunters: Style and Elegance
    Jumpers: Speed and Accuracy
    The Balanced Competitor
Making the Most of Your Classes
Keep the End in Sight

6. The Winning Edge
Winning Defined
It's All In Your Head
Becoming a Good Competitor
What Cost Winning?
The Fear Factor
Set Yourself Up For Success
Riding For Life

7. Choosing The Horse
Know What You Need
The Horse Makes the Rider

8. Essential Equipment
Choosing Your Tack
What To Wear

9. Perfect Position: Understanding and Developing the Physical Aids
Fundamentals of Position
Angle Awareness
The Four Fundamental Parts of the Rider
    The Leg: Building a Solid Foundation
    The Base: The Seat of Good Riding
    The Upper Body: The Balance of Power
    Hands and Arms: Fine Tuning the Feel
An Exercise for Practicing Position

10. Riding Factors
Identifying the Intangibles
Developing Lightness and Feel
Exercises for Developing Lightness and Feel
Coordinating Aids
Exploring Jumping Releases
Anatomy of a Jump
Relating Stride and Distance Between Obstacles
Understanding the Factors of Jumping
Exercises to Develop a Feel for Distance
Walking a Course
Memorizing Courses

11. Course Work
Be Prepared
The Home Course Advantage
Courtesy Circles
Single Jumps
Straight Lines
Keep the Pace
Jumping From a Turn
Angled Jumps
Bending (or Broken) Lines
End Jumps
Combinations & In-and-Outs
Rollbacks
Walking and Trotting Jumps
Invisible Jumps
Sample Courses
    Equitation Course
    Hunter Course
    Jumper Course

12. Notes for Riding Instructors
The Instructor's Responsibilities
Student Evaluation
Evaluating the Lesson Horse
Teaching Considerations
Secrets of Success
Effective Instruction
One Piece at a Time

Appendix: USEF Hunt Seat Equitation Tests

Glossary

Acknowledgements

Index

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