Equitation - to sit or half seat?

[WestyFourSocks]

I've noticed many changes in the eq ring. The half seat has become quite common. I am personally more comfortable sitting but I only did a few 2'6" divisions to get shows under my belt with my new horse. Doing the 3' at the big e though! Wish me luck!(don't worry we've done a few 3' shows and schooled a little higher, my horse is a saint and this is a walk in the park for him) I am curious if anyone really has an opinion or has a judges opinion on this? I can see being in a half seat but still in good eq form when doing the maclay, but what is really appropriate for 3ft? This is just asking opinions here. Thanks

[Noctis]

Full seat, and adjusting accordingly on course for what helps your horse to perform the most smoothly. Equitation is about riding your horse in the most effective way possible, so while full seat is more traditional, use a combination of what allows your particular horse to perform his best! And good luck!

[Abbeyroad1791]

So funny you asked this actually- last night in my team lesson we started cantering and me, never having really done the eq, picked up what I thought was a decent half seat and cruised around...Until I hear.."We SIT the canter in the equitation please!!!" :D Shows what I know. So according to our team coach, we sit the equitation.

Thats great you get to show at the big e though! Our team is going as a "bonding day." Good luck!!

[ExJumper]

You didn't specify if you were talking about the flat portions or the over fences portions.

You sit the canter in the flat portions. In the jumping portions, you ride how your horse goes best. This is often a combination of half seat and full seat depending on if you are collecting or turning or moving forward etc.

But yes, you should sit the canter on the flat. Over fences it's more important to find the jumps, ride intelligently, and have good form -- whether it's in a half seat or a full seat.