Developing an independent seat: colt starting, reining, western dressage

In this video I discuss:
How to test your seat position.
My belief that there is no one perfect rider position.
There is one thing that all great riders have in common.

When I look at multiple disciplines I see there are lots of ways for riders to be effective. All great riders have an independent seat.

An independent seat allows the rider to use their waist and body to reduce the movement in your hand.
I believe a rider should have an independent seat and be able to move their body to other positions.
I’m thankful for growing up with the egg & spoon class because it taught me to have an independent seat.
During my midsummer break from showing I’ve decided to start Presto under saddle. I thought I would have started him before July but in the spring I could tell that calling on my ‘colt starting’ seat would have made my ‘dressage seat’ more difficult. I chose to wait to start Presto.

When I’m riding a reiner I change my riding position quite a bit.
Reiners are not judged on the rider position at all.
In colt starting the goal is safety and security.

If you want to test your neutral seat vs a deep seat, sit on your saddle and use your arms to try to pull your upper body forward. Resist with your lower body.
If you tip forward, then your hips are upright.
If you tip your hips back you can feel the ‘pull’ from your arms transfer down through your inner thigh.
This explains my body position in the famous bareback and bridleless photo.
If you want to test your independent seat, try riding with an egg & spoon or a glass of water. Or try this little training aid I created: Stacy Westfall/Weaver Leather Egg & Spoon.

I’ll use my colt starting muscle memory to start Presto under saddle and then I’ll change my muscle memory back to western dressage. Knowing that I have muscle memory for how to ride with a deep seat if something goes wrong gives me confidence as a rider.

In 2019 I plan on showing two of my horses in Western Dressage with the goal of showing at the Western Dressage World Show in October.
Along the way, I am also training and showing in traditional dressage, reining and ranch riding with my quarter horses.
I’m going to be sharing my journey so anyone who is interested can learn along with me.

Amazon links-Products
Weaver Leather Stacy Westfall Egg and Spoon Training Tool, Blue [https://amzn.to/317lU8H]

Cashel Quiet Ride Fly Mask with Ears and Long Nose – https://amzn.to/32EwqFK

Weaver Leather Trail Gear Pommel Bag: https://amzn.to/2VHvXlA

Weaver Leather Stacy Westfall ProTack Oiled Split Rein, 5/8-Inch x 8-Feet, Brown: https://amzn.to/2JbdIyn

Weaver Leather Stacy Westfall Stick and String: https://amzn.to/2VcOZ3G

Weaver Leather Stacy Westfall Rope Halter, Medium, Black with Blue Nose: https://amzn.to/2vIdgQl

Weaver Leather Stacy Westfall Activity Ball, Medium, Blue: [https://amzn.to/2JbslBI]

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