Safe cross country riding

Riding across country is a very different technique and one that needs to be practiced before attempting your first event. Different skills are needed to that of show jumping or practicing cross country type fences in the arena or field at home, even though that is a great way to start.
As a commitment to its members and the sport of Eventing, BE have created a cross country riding DVD as part of its Safety Manifesto to visually show how -- and how not to, ride across country.
British Eventing's Performance Manager, Yogi Breisner, and a member of BE's Safety Committee, choreographed the training DVD which was shot at Aston-Le-Walls Eventing Centre.

[@Leelz247]

The rider was really brave to go over those jumps intentionally in the incorrect or unsafe position!

[@TheTeapotte]

That horse is a saint!

[@SMV1199]

I KNOW OMG

[@jaidenayers1783]

IKR I LIKE WANT HIM

[@lizzybridge2343]

Even though i know his doing it on purpose to show what not to do, that horse must of been so patient! X

[@libbykat3958]

Haha! That sweet horse - its ears are going crazy "What are you DOING?!"

[@xjumpforjoyx]

That horse is a saint! Obviously loves its job

[@sydneymcgrath5212]

Video: The next clips show the rider in bad balance Me: OMG how did they get a video of me?!!!

[@MiraeChaos]

What a truly amazing horse, to be so forgiving, taking every jump despite being thrown completely off balance! Even mediocore riders could probably guide this horse over fences. That said, the rider must also be amazing and have real guts to do this! I lose balance over jumps sometimes sure, but I couldn't possible do it on purpose!

[@eventingxdreams]

I laughed so hard because this rider always looked back laughing after demonstrating how not to jump cross 😂

[@katebrady2002]

it must be really hard to ride badly like that, cos your instincts would make you try and ride in a safer way. the horse must be like what the hell are you doing?

[@GandiePony]

Dont know how he stayed on in some of the incorrect demonstrations, i would have completely lost my balance😂

[@UltimatePandaPower]

I love how honest this horse is, I think mine would just dump me straight off if I rode like the 'bad demo' clips :L

[@kayleyeliza1992]

I feel like it was a lot harder than it looked to do it the wrong way--clearly he is a more skilled rider and the incorrect methods were done intentionally for the purpose of this video. Knowing how to do it right is so deeply ingrained after years of training, I feel like it is a whole other level of skill to be so good at doing it right, you can even choose to do it wrong. Or maybe I'm over thinking it. :/ Side note: his foot was so far in the stirrup and it drove me crazy the entire time--I'm transitioning from Hunter/Jumper and Equitation and beginning to focus on Eventing, and I'm trying to get used to the lack of attention given to proper equitation.

[@TheBritomart]

+KayleyEliza Thank you; the foot in the "all-the-way-home" position in the stirrup was absurdly distracting. I am guessing that you are not in the UK? Because I (a Yank) went on a week long ride in Wales a few years back & there were 3 riders from the States in this particular group. The woman leading the ride (a Brit) commented on how far down we kept our heels & thought it was too much work. We replied that that is how we are schooled back home.

[@SMV1199]

Yeah I notice that from riders in the UK and other places! I don't know how their legs are so stable without the stirrups further forward and heels further down! xD I also tend to notice they don't focus so much on not hollowing out their backs... or maybe it's just a hunter/jumper thing to focus on that; idk xD

[@OneMoreMileAnHour]

+Sophia- Maria probably from actually going hunting, which is more about just staying on over unknown country. I'm from the uk, and we are trained to not hollow our back, but no one cares much about the placing of our foot in the stirrup as long as you keep your heels down. We do a lot more daring things, like jumping big solid jumps, which is why security is our number one concern

[@bqualitysnake6549]

well in cross country being balanced and in control of the horse is more important than the correct position in the stirrups, and I usually naturally transition between correct heels and foot placement in showjumping and dressage to aiding balance when trailriding or going crosscountry riding. Keeping my feet farther into the stirrup makes balance a lot easier at least for me, so I can focus more on what the horse is doing, where I'm going and everything regarding our safety.

[@bellak134]

no offense to anyone but theres no point pointing out faults, this video has already been done so they cant exactly change it

[@RaeWetherillMusic]

Such a great and informative video. I'm going xc schooling tomorrow for the first time and it really helps to see what to do and what NOT do. Real testament to his skill that he can ride that badly on purpose, and his horse is a Saint

[@mimiw-s9900]

Ok guys stop hating on the rider!!! He is very brave to do this and has an amazing horse and he could easily fall off. Also stop saying that his stirrups are too long because there not. Also his foot position is fine I don’t know if you guys in other countries keep a perfect leg position going cross country but it’s not that bad it’s called a safety foot. It’s so your feet don’t fall out the sturrups. If you are going to hate on this rider fro not being like you country then stop looking at British Eventing!!!

[@imogenbroome9999]

I thought he was falling off at 5:31 😂😂

[@equteachme]

At the end of this video someone should be thanking the horse for being such a good sport !

[@michellecoutois6938]

Wow, that horse and rider combo have balls. If I rode that shitty my horse would protest + do the Dutch: "I'm not moving an inch from here on out" pout. I was wincing when it was the "how not to ride part". Good boy for being so steady and dealing with that. Worth his weight in gold. My jumper would have thought I lost my mind. Epic + tragic all the same. Great post.

[@juliamarple3058]

What a fabulously honest horse! The rider knew he would be safe on him 😃👍

[@ashleybonner4963]

God that horse is lovely. And what a ballsy rider Haha! I don't think I have the guts to ride so purposefully off balance!

[@litefoot25]

what an honest horse and great actor!

[@nagykarina00]

a lot a people said hes stirrups are too long, they are not. I know that for jumping shorter stirrups are better, but your legs should not be more bend then 90° degrees

[@forestandaragon]

Such a good actor and such an honest horse!!!!!

[@TheMyamax]

Great video. Im learning all points for my Warmblood Breeding busness.

[@cagaponies]

sure his stirrups are too far back, but in the 'good demo' clips he stays in good balance with his horse and doesnt throw himself over the fence, so i think hes actually a really good rider.

[@Jasminehodge637]

Angus Smales is such an amazing rider. Also, his cross country course is top quality and has a lot of amazing challenges for riders of all sorts of levels

[@imogenbroome9999]

What a patient horse. ❤️

[@rosierosieequestrian6637]

Aww that horse is so good!

[@oliviadolan4680]

I’m taking my pony X Country schooling for the first time this spring tomorrow, so this helped!

[@maisiepage7660]

This video is really helpful

[@MosaikHorse]

The horse I ride will find any excuse to get me off balance and test me, my mare would have refused to jump like that! What a horse absolutely lovely! In a way, it's good there aren't a lot of horses like that because the rider could be terrible and as the horse still clears the jump he thinks that there isn't a problem and that he's great!

[@niinors]

ahahah my pony would have gone mad :--D such a patient horse and a good rider

[@Got2Bespoke]

Lovely horse

[@hollygossett7127]

That's amazing riding - to stick in an unbalanced way. Great video. Very helpful. Now we need a video that shows us what steps to take every day to learn how to stay in balance and keep that. What kind of horse is that??

[@kaylee6185]

Such a willing horse

[@lastchancecasanova]

Nice horse.

[@ShaunieM25]

Oh poor Horse , Probably Thinking " What the hell is going on up there??"

[@ChazSeesStars]

Horse is a saint..

[@horsecrazykelly3940]

I wanna do cross country some day, but I dont want to be one of those bad riders when they start.. Cant wait oh that is a great rider btw.

[@XRachit]

what a saint!

[@dave-d]

Bracing against the horses neck is correct?! Er, 'scuse me but etc.

[@lucywodskou9492]

I would buy this horse before u could tell me how much he was xx

[@georgegoertzen4723]

He's a great rider to have the ability to look like he's riding so poorly when he's still staying with the horse and the horse is not loosing confidence in him.

[@MaritsView]

As long as it's safe and people have a good relationship with their horse l love this sport.. but when it goes wrong it's so sad :(

[@libby4810]

We meet again Marit

[@MaritsView]

+Libby Firmin Hey haha. How are you?

[@flyyoung1603]

not to be rude, but why is his stirrup so far back?

[@jordanfennell3456]

It's handy if the rider rides the horse properly and sits back coming in as we'll... No wonder he's falling off! Your supposed to sit in deep to the saddle as well by the way.....

[@honeybuggle]

do you have to have a skull cap

[@Illogzt]

Poppy Britton-gray ähm yes? Or do you wanna crush your skull on purpose?

[@honeybuggle]

no I don't mean helmet I mean like the type of helmet with no fixed peak

[@honeybuggle]

no I don't mean helmet I mean like the type of helmet with no fixed peak

[@niamhconway2886]

Poppy Britton-gray yeah

[@eventer145]

Not having your stirrups half way down your foot, basics!

[@dubleegle]

This guys toes are facing the ground the entire time.. Safe

[@AccidentallyOnPurpose]

The sad things is, in the jumping section I have seen a lot of even experienced XC riders chase their horses over jumps and quite a lot of them have every floppy and loose positions.

[@365Eventer]

for anyone speaking about his stirrups, look at andrew nicholson!

[@HanneleLovesHorses]

I don't someone who rides like that would do a cross country, seriosly

[@ponycam7096]

When you where showing the clips do you clearly NOT SEE HOW MUCH DISCOMFORT THE HIRSE IS IN BECAUSE OF THE BIT

[@niamhconway2886]

The horse was responding to the pressure on the same as it would without a bit.

[@slsequestrian3809]

I feel as if there was a over exaggeration of what the ‘wrong way’ is

[@sommerdonaldson4448]

The rider had his heels down a awfully lot, even in the "correct" position...

[@DeathKitty123456]

Most people come too far foreward over jumps, it really annoys me, people jump little fences as if they are doong a 7ft puissance fence at my yard and these people are so called showjumpers lol

[@hanztorrance]

that horse is super honest !!! but seriously when you're showing how something should be ridden first check the rider can actually put his feet in the stirrups correctly !! his feet were awful the whole way through :/

[@RobinAshelyProdution]

Good thing she is a Mare, a stallion would have just slid, letting the rider fall... usually that might happen XD

[@Smaggie1940]

why... are they making this video about safety when the guy is doing cross country jumps without a body protector...

[@tillsx3620]

spors omg spurs lol! yes i think so to poor pony :(

[@niamhconway2886]

Tills X learn how to type first please

[@DJDangersJessiJane]

I don't ride like the "what not to do" even on my worse day....and I'm not the best rider. What...

[@spike17181]

his stirrups are way to much in the back of the foot, i think someone who rides cross country and teaches others how to ride should know the correct placing of feet in the stirrups...

[@BlackMountain150]

+Dunja Cetkovic In Jumping of fences you are supposed to put your stirrup a little further back on your foot rather than the ball of your foot to aid your balance when in the 2 point position otherwise it can cause a huge strain down the back of your calf muscle. It also allows you to use your big toe to press into the stirrup to keep your foot more level. Its just a easier more comfortable way of doing 2 point over long distances, Showjumpers don't tend to do it so much unless they are doing higher levels as they don't usually always go into 2 point position.

[@oliviadolan4680]

You must be hunter/eq, bc in eventing we do that to stabilize ourselves😋

[@Roheryn100]

Hunter seat equitation is pretty useless on a cross country course. 😄

[@Strul83]

Ooops! My own balance is not so good. :S xD

[@PossumSplinter]

you could put a dog on this horse and it would still jump beautifully.

[@Smaggie1940]

he's not wearing a vest..

[@katielockhart3704]

smorgan__ underneath...

[@itztaylor12]

Don't forget, HEELS DOWN !

[@lizbub34]

poor horse, i hope it got lots of polos

[@Got2Bespoke]

Although...if you really need the narrative to figure this video out, you wouldn't be jumping anything more than the smallest cross rail. I would hope that anyone who is a decent rider would know better. Though sadly, we all know there are people who ride poorly at levels they don't belong at.

[@jazzylou8532]

I know he's trying to make a point, but feel sorry for the horse, not really fair on the horse pulling and bouncing round like that:(

[@ada-raineferguson4565]

Poor horse!

[@horsecrazykelly3940]

I hate when people fight the horse! It is annoying to look at lol.

[@jj.6214]

i so wish he didnt have spurs on .....

[@niamhconway2886]

The horse probably needs them. He’s not jabbing the horses side and they are small, they are probably used to make his aids sharper

[@taylorbishop5562]

I don't jump like that but I'm still safe!!?

[@caitygraham7560]

His stirrups are way to long. His legs are almost straight.

[@fruityfruitz]

pessoa-bit? really?

[@niamhconway2886]

yes haha that horse doesn’t have a Pessoa on 😂😂 it has a Dutch gag in probably cause it needs that type of bit

[@fruityfruitz]

Niamh Conway oh fuck off niamh this was 6 years ago

[@Smaggie1940]

what the fuck is this? half the video is of the guy being totally unsafe WHILE not wearing a vest...

[@WeePepsi]

Poor thing ):

[@KaregoAt]

I mean, it is important to do instructional videos, but at least take the flash off if you're going to be yanking on the reins so the horse can open it's mouth... Unacceptable and cruel.

[@HorseRidingUni]

Watching the parts where he was demonstrating bad balance I found cringey to watch oh dearrr!

[@XRachit]

what a saint!