Vinnie and Liz...Flying High!by
RitaDComment by snaffles: Hey now, hold on a sec here. I'm a professional horse trainer with a background in all English disciplines but especially in eventing, where strong go-ey horses like this are the norm, so please let me have my say.
Vinnie is definitely a horse who loves his job, so why is she committing the two cardinal sins of 'jumping for the horse' (I can see how far up the neck she is, she's miles out of the tack) and second, reefing him in the teeth? He can't bascule effectively if she keeps his head cranked like that! Going by the jump I'd say they're in a showjumping class, where speed is crucial - but if she's so intimidated by a fast, go-ey horse that she has to ride like this, maybe she should stick to hunters instead.
If she does need to rate him at the jump, then she might have to switch to a stronger bit - but I'd rather see a stronger bit and soft, following hand than this stranglehold with what appears to be a medium eggbutt or D-ring.
Having said that, nice action shot, but hunter/jumper god George Morris would back up absolutely everything I said. Pick up any Practical Horseman and read his Jumping Clinic, and please give Liz and her coach/instructor my advice. And a subscription to Practical Horseman.
