Hunt Seat Equitation Tips for Hunter Riders

[@heidismith7356]

Thank you. I'm teaching correctly, but boy, sometimes it's so hard to have the student apply what I'm saying to their riding. I love your calm voice!

[@LauraKellandMay]

sometimes I sound calm but it feels like my head is going to explode😄

[@picturesqueponies]

Coming from someone who has no trainers available in my area- thank you, this has already helped me so much

[@LauraKellandMay]

Thank you for your comment. You are the people in trying to reach. Send in a photo or describe what is happening and I'll try to help.

[@picturesqueponies]

Laura Kelland-May Alright! I’ll try and get some today! My pony is probably the worst horse to learn hunters on but it’s better than nothing 😅

[@LauraKellandMay]

@@picturesqueponies hey... it doesn't have to be hunters. We can do flat stuff as well :)

[@KaileyandBreeze]

I’m 54 years old and love these videos. Great reminders for me. I’m wanting to get back into the hunter ring after several years of horse trials and jumping. Never to old to learn.

[@LauraKellandMay]

Thank you. What are you doing to get back into the hunter ring?

[@t.r.sjbear4382]

Your like the bob ross of the riding world! I have my very first out of stable show in August. I’m very excited, however, I have been working more on my pleaser class more than my eq. Class. This was so helpful and will definitely have to practice this tomorrow morning. I’ll let you know how we do!😁

[@LauraKellandMay]

Have fun! AND? How did it go?

[@StormGSD]

Thank you. I switched from saddle seat to hunter recently and I have to work hard at not continuing to ride in saddle seat position,.

[@LauraKellandMay]

the saddle seat is a bit different isn't it. I think the big thing is the placement of the stirrup bar!

[@tanislane9932]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Especially appreciate the exercises you mentioned. I'm an older gal (Western background) taking my 3 year old to his first walk/trot class flat and poles in 2 weeks. This is so helpful.

[@LauraKellandMay]

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Which exercises will you do first? Let us know how you did at your show! Send in a video odd how you did

[@Radiation.E]

Because of your tips I have more confidence in myself and you really helped me with my heels 💚 Thank you!

[@LauraKellandMay]

WOW! This is so great. Thank you. ❤ Which exercise in particular helped with your heels the most?

[@Radiation.E]

@@LauraKellandMay I use to twist my heels a lot, so I was practicing keeping them parallel and putting weight on them and I'm getting used to it so know I don't twist my heels/ankles last weekend I was in a competition and doing hunters equitation and I got 1st place and a lot of blue ribbons because of it so THANK YOU!!

[@lauren-sr6nj]

Thank you so much! My first show is this weekend and I usually point my helmet down so glad to know not to do that anymore!!

[@MMFequestrian]

I have found my new favorite KZbin channel! I haven’t shown in about a year due to covid and I’m very nervous (even though I’ve been showing eq and hunters A/AA, for 10 years) thank you for your advice!!

[@LauraKellandMay]

Awesome thank you. It is so nice to hear. I am pleased that you like the videos and even more excited that you took the time to tell me. Thank you!

[@katethompson29]

Hi I’m kate and I have a horse show on the 23 of April and I’m super excited. I just wanted a sneak peek on a little something that judges would typically like and you have no idea how much this has helped!

[@LauraKellandMay]

Hi Kate... Thank you for your comment. Please, tell us how your show went?

[@katethompson29]

@@LauraKellandMay i actually the show went wonderful but the first round I did not place because I nocked a pole but then I got 1st and 2nd thank u

[@meinthewild]

Thank you for these tips. I’m a dressage rider, but I’m doing a schooling hunter show on Saturday. It should prove interesting since I haven’t done the hunters in more than 30 years!!

[@LauraKellandMay]

I love this. Please send me some photos and let us know how you did. ThistleRidge at hot mail dot com

[@cookingwithjessrene9729]

Thank you Laura! This was very helpful. My trainer’s name is also Laura, I’ll have double the training now 😊

[@re-ridersuzanne]

Love your videos.

[@LauraKellandMay]

Thank you so much. Remember to subscribe and share the videos. That would help a lot. I enjoy making these videos as well. So glad you like them.

[@StormGSD]

I need tips at riding extended canter. That is one of the required gaits and I until recently thought I rode it like a hand gallop, but, I see I'm incorrect in that. I also need tips in keeping elbows down and quiet and not using my shoulders. Maintaining my position at all times.

[@LauraKellandMay]

Thank you. Great question/comment. YES extended is NOT the same as hand gallop! please... send me an email ThistleRidge (at ) hotmail.com with a photo or video so I can help you.

[@re-ridersuzanne]

Great topic for a video!

[@lilyogorman9568]

So many helpful tips! Thanks again for an amazing video :)

[@LauraKellandMay]

You are welcome. What other tips would you like to see?

[@lilyogorman9568]

@@LauraKellandMay Maybe some grooming/braiding tips and tricks for horse shows? :)

[@LauraKellandMay]

@@lilyogorman9568 excellent idea... I will put it in my schedule.

[@rileymonika854]

I have a show coming up, idk how to post Hunter style, only dressage hahahaha. So I’m now learning this and this helps a lot!now just gotta work on canter position a bit.

[@LauraKellandMay]

Not much different is it! Just close your hip angle a little bit more. Also if your performance is correct the judge will be focusing on your horse and may not notice your posting! 😃

[@rileymonika854]

@@LauraKellandMay yeah ahah! I actually cancelled the show cause my horse came up lane sadly 😵

[@rileymonika854]

Lame*

[@HRHGuinevere]

I'm 74 and my riding days are long gone but I don't understand why riders today bou😊nce so muchween jumps. Their bums arenin the saddle. I was taught to not bounce around. Just wondering.

[@lasalleartteacher4116]

It has been a lot of years since I have riden Huntseat equitation. Can you explain the terms full seat, half seat, and two point? Thank you you are a very good teacher.

[@LauraKellandMay]

Great idea for a video! Generally speaking FULL SEAT is when your bottom is in the seat of the saddle. Also called 3 points as there are three points of contact. 1- your seat 2- your left leg 3- your right leg 2 POINT is jumping position has 2-points of contact your left leg and your right leg Half seat IS NOT “full seat” but half a seat and is like 2 point position

[@ellenskiff880]

This was so helpful!! Thank you!

[@LauraKellandMay]

Thanks for posting. It means a lot to know you are getting value from the videos

[@madisongonzalez2096]

Love your videos!

[@LauraKellandMay]

Thanks. I appreciate it. What was your favorite part?

[@lnlp-i6z]

Thank you, this helps, since my trainer wants me to do Hunt Seat Eq. next year possibly. Also, I've only started to ride last year in June, so I'm still unsure of many things.

[@LauraKellandMay]

All the best. Is you have any questions please feel free to ask.

[@jillterlizzi]

Thank you!

[@toriwaite4500]

Should adults smile during a Hunter walk/trot show?

[@Angel-dy7ot]

I am making my 8 yr old mare in to a hunter, and this was very helpful since I’ve never ridden hunter before.

[@LauraKellandMay]

Thank you for your comment. Did you used to ride jumpers?

[@Angel-dy7ot]

@@LauraKellandMay no but i really want to so i'm going to try and learn!!

[@LauraKellandMay]

@@Angel-dy7ot if you'd like some more help visit my website and sign up for the newsletter or better yet send me a photo! ThistleRidgeStables.com thistleridge at hotmail dot com

[@lottexfox3886]

This helps me sooooooo good. Tomorrow we have the first hunter competition ever in the Netherlands and I am coming to compete. I’m verry nervous because my pony is kinda scared for the jumps I think. Does anyone has tips for me. ( I had only 1 hunter lesson but I am a jumper for already 5 years)

[@LauraKellandMay]

Congratulations. Let us know how you do.

[@lottexfox3886]

Laura Kelland-May I was first in the regular hunter, second in the handy hunter and second in the under saddle class

[@LauraKellandMay]

@@lottexfox3886 congratulations. Well done! Now take a minute to write down what you think you did well - got to all your jumps, had a steady pace etc. And make a list of things tips like to improve

[@evansgoat9613]

I am sure your videos soon become a referral videos for beginners and experts in equine industry

[@LauraKellandMay]

Thank you. YOu are very kind to suggest that. 🐴

[@julainehunter6862]

Having difficulty getting my elbows to move more freely to be less rigid on the horse’s mouth. Any suggestions?

[@LauraKellandMay]

You bet. I have lots of ideas! You have to RELAX! Keep breathing. It all stems from your seat and base of support. Do exercises. On and off your horses. Take the time to develop your seat by doing stretching and reaching exercises. And it's course send me an email.

[@bubbletao3532]

Why is your voice so NICE

[@LauraKellandMay]

Awwww... Thank you!

[@equine2020]

Her leg shoulde be over the girth. Hers is back. Bad position. My instructor would have corrected that leg position. Per what I was taught this riders position isn't correct. We had mirrors in the arena & told to look at our position. Then the instructor would tell us what's wrong.

[@StormGSD]

This rider is from quarter horse classes where it is normal to have your number in that spot...fyi

[@LauraKellandMay]

good to know. But if it hunt seat, are square pads permitted?

[@poniies4420]

@@LauraKellandMay In quarter horse hunt seat it is normal to use fleece square pads.

[@mia.1802]

your eyes are so beautifulllllll

[@naunettemartin7450]

Want bite to get for my horse

[@LauraKellandMay]

Hmmm... Not sure what this means.

[@eliara-thevoice8430]

Bit?

[@thatlonleyeditor]

this was super helpful!! thank you so much!!

[@LauraKellandMay]

what part was helpful?