Geoff Teall on Riding Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation. Geoff Teall
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My students know how demanding I can be. I’m tough on the ones who I think are worth it.
A few years later, Geoff attended some teacher’s clinics I conducted in Toronto and in Cleveland, Ohio. He participated with unflagging interest and dedication. He was always watching, listening, learning, and applying what he had learned. He was also willing to help out wherever he was needed.
In the early 1980’s, Jeremy Jacobs’ son, Louis, was lucky enough to be on a junior team that competed in the European Junior Jumper Championships. Louis was (and is) a great rider. I became involved in his career at that point. Geoff and I took Louis and four other riders, and we spent a month showing in France. It was an unbelievably great trip. As I worked with Geoff and the riders, parameters shifted, and I realized that he had earned a place in the ranks of qualified riding instructors. Gordon would have been proud.
Though Geoff is now a revered and respected clinic instructor himself, many things about him haven’t changed. I recently returned from the Canadian National Coaching Symposium in Vancouver, British Columbia, where Leslie Law, Geoff, and I were featured clinicians.
When Geoff wasn’t teaching, he was in the ring helping. He spent his “downtime” adjusting stirrups, answering questions, and catching rails. He cares about the students and their horses. He wants them to improve. And he’s willing to do things that you don’t always see the teacher do. He’s knowledgeable, eminently capable, and dependable. I notice things like that.
Three key elements are essential in order to progress in your riding career. You must have selection, participation, and preparation logically working together. No element can stand on its own. No element is more important than another.
Select your horses and your trainers wisely. Participate wholeheartedly in order to get the most from every lesson, clinic, and horse show. Prepare yourself and your horse, mentally and physically, as thoroughly as possible.
Geoff is a very gifted instructor. He is also 100 percent student, worker, and helper when he’s not “on.” He is committed both to continuing his own education and to helping others learn.
Gordon Wright was the consummate teacher. It is so important for those of us who were fortunate enough to learn from him to take the opportunity to pass on what he taught us to a new generation. Geoff and I both feel very strongly about that.
In this book, Geoff has brought a fresh approach to the art of hunt seat riding. He talks about the nuts and bolts of perfecting your position and includes exercises you can easily set up for practice at home. Perhaps even more importantly, however, he has also taken the time to articulate his philosophy of balance, discipline, and preparation.
Selecting this book for your resource library is an excellent step toward improving your riding skills. But don’t stop there. Become a participant in the following pages. Internalize the philosophy. Articulate your goals. Practice the exercises. Allow Geoff to help prepare you and your horse for a lifetime of successful rides. You’ll soon notice an improvement in your riding.
And so will I.
George H. Morris Author of Hunter Seat Equitation Olympic Show Jumping Silver Medalist Director, former United States Equestrian Team (USET) Chef d’Equipe, United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Show Jumping Team, 2005-
Introduction
Joe Fargís
GEOFF TEALL IS A TALENTED and successful rider, teacher, coach, and judge in the American Hunter divisions at leading horse shows throughout the United States. These divisions have been an important foundation for the Jumper divisions in this country—both position and control of the rider and the training of the horse have their roots in the subjectively judged hunter competitions.
The Hunter divisions are especially appropriate for developing riders, while at the same time teaching them to appreciate horses. A “connected,” ground-covering movement; calmness and cooperation between horse and rider; manners; and the jumping form of the horse are all judged over a series of fences. These require a rider with a quality position, educated and sophisticated cues, and a well-schooled horse.
Geoff, an experienced and skilled Hunt Seat Equitation teacher, enjoys working with a variety of riders who want to improve and progress as far as they can go. Horses and riders who have worked with him have been successful on a range of riding levels, with his more advanced pupils winning in the Hunter divisions at Devon, the Capital Challenge, the Pennsylvania National, the Washington International, and the National Horse Show. In the Hunt Seat Equitation divisions, his pupils have competed in, and won, the AHSA Medal Finals, the ASPCA Maclay Finals, and the USET Talent Search.
In addition to training, Geoff is an “R” judge for both hunters and Hunt Seat Equitation. He travels extensively in North America and Europe teaching, judging, and conducting clinics. In 1992, Geoff joined with Louise Serio to form the American Hunter Jumper Federation (AHJF), and he currently serves as AHJF President.
In this book, Geoff presents his approach to riding hunters, jumpers, and Hunt Seat Equitation with insightful advice. It will be useful and appreciated by both amateurs and professionals.
Joe Fargis Olympic Show Jumping Individual Gold Medalist
1
An Introduction to Balanced Riding
A Definition of Terms
This is a book about riding.
It is about riding in the most correct, skilled, beautiful, and balanced way possible. It is about understanding the merits of fundamental horsemanship principles and applying them to your efforts. It is about knowing what you want to do with your riding and equipping yourself for success.
For many, good riding that is correct in both form and function is synonymous with equitation. But talking about equitation can be a tricky business.
In the hunter world, Hunt Seat Equitation is a competitive division. With a few exceptions, that division is open primarily to junior riders. It is intended to make riders aware of good position and to create a solid foundation built on strong basic skills.
The annual Hunt Seat Equitation Finals are the pinnacle of the division. Here the most correct, most polished, and most accomplished riders shine.
In hunt seat circles, finals winners are a very big deal. They often go on to enjoy lengthy, successful careers hunting, jumping, or eventing. But then, so do those who begin riding too late in life to compete in equitation classes—which brings me to the larger definition of the term.
I see equitation as more than just a division of competition dedicated to making young riders into good riders.
To me, equitation is a means to an end. The word literally means “the art of riding on horseback.” It encompasses the concepts of horsemanship, correctness of position, and riding skills.
The rider who applies the basic principles of equitation hones his skills and develops the tools he will need for a lifetime with horses.
My entire approach to training effective riders is built on this philosophy. I believe that an understanding and a mastery of sound riding principles gives the hunt seat rider the skills needed to succeed in all facets of riding including jumping, dressage, showing hunters, fox hunting, or pleasure riding.
1.1 “Equitation” denotes an approach to riding, and to horses in general, that focuses on balance, control, harmony, and grace.
1.2 A sound equitation foundation will allow you to succeed in any riding endeavor.
The