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| Guide 2 Horse Riding > Rising Trot |
Mastering the Rising Trot
There are variations of opinion on the classical way to ride a rising trot, however I find that the most effective way is for the back to remain flat as the rider brings the upper body forward from the hip joints, carrying the shoulders above the knees.
In this position, the rise is much lessened and can be done subtly by just tilting the bottom of the pelvis forwards on one trot diagonal and letting it come back again (sitting lightly) on the next. There is no pushing up from the legs, which should be consciously dropped on the rise.
By riding this way, you are not performing an up-and-down movement but a forward-and-sit one. This method of rising trot is only a knack and you will get it if you give yourself time and keep reminding yourself not to rise, but to tilt the pubic bone and seatbones forward instead. In fact, this could be called a forward trot rather than a rising trot to encourage the correct movement. As you sit, tuck your bottom under you a little that will neaten your movement in the saddle even more.
Rising Too High
This is a common problem because people seem to have been taught that they must sit upright in rising trot and execute a "clear rise".
This method of rising trot has a lot of disadvantages, which should be understood. The hands and arms very often go up and down the same distance as the upper body. The rider may well be trying to keep her hands still, but they are usually kept still in relation to the riders body, whereas they need to be kept still in relation to the horse's mouth, which stays fairly level in trot. If the rider's balance is poor, the reins may even be used as an anchor, increasing the horse's discomfort.
The amount of thrust that some people put into the rising trot very often causes stiff ankles and raised heels as the rider pushes up with every stride. These are usually accompanied by lower legs and feet which flap out and in again as the rider rises and sits. The horse feels this as a leg aid at every stride and may whiz around far too fast or, conversely, simply ignore it, giving the false impression that he is by nature dull or lazy.
Think of not being able to raise your upper body, keeping your shoulders under rails running immediately above them. Use the brim of your riding hat as a gauge of your effectiveness: pick a landmark ahead of you and watch to see if the brim is rising and falling in relation to it. If it is, so are you.
Rising forward instead of up also makes it much easier for the rider to keep the hands still in relation to the horse's mouth, her balance will be easier to keep, she will not flap her legs and everyone will be happier all round. As you rise to the trot, drop and relax your legs and feet down and round the horse rather than pushing up with them, tilt the lower part of your pelvis forward, then allow it to return to "neutral" as you sit lightly.
Stay relaxed and the movement of the horse will lift you up slightly as you go forward, its up to you to control this and go forward instead of too far up. Slightly flatten the small of your back as you move forward and return it to normal as you sit.
Some riders, as they sit after rising, raise the knee and heel. This is usually because they are not in balance and are allowing the upper body to rock backwards as they sit and the lower leg to go forwards. It is also a sign of a stiff leg and of not thinking about the legs being draped around the horse's sides like two wet tea towels, that are stuck there by surface tension, not grip.
Think always of dropping your relaxed legs down and around the horse's body, almost as though you are trying to get your feet to meet under his breastbone.