What About the Crest Release for Jumping?

A US Horsemanship post, “Backwards and Forwards: The Evolution of Jumping” talks about how we went from the “backwards seat” to the “forward seat” and then how the crest release entered into the picture.  The post, “Evolution of the Crest Release”, takes this development a little farther.  The post, “Effects of the Crest Release”, and my first video by the same name, talk about  what happens when the crest release is used incorrectly. I’ve added the video “Effects of the Crest Release” to this post.  Please take time to view it.  I’d love to have your comments. Thanks.

Two related articles on U.S. Horsemanship, “What Do You Base Your Support on” and  “Evolution of the Base of Support” are sort of the “chicken or the egg “ question.  Did base of support change because of the crest release or is crest release necessary because base of support changed. See also, “Has Base of Support Changed?”

It appears that I like the term “evolution”.  Evolution is the only term that fits because these changes weren’t planned development but were changes that occurred because of the pressures placed on them.

And finally, I posted an article on The Riding Instructor titled “Crest Release – Jumping Ahead”.  It’s accompanied by my second video,  titled “Jumping Ahead”.

Why is the crest release such an important topic to me?  Because

• the crest release has, in some types of riding, replaced  the automatic release.
• the crest release has added a new dimension to the “base of support”.
• the crest release used poorly causes a myriad of dangerous riding issues,
• but more importantly many of the people who teach and use the crest release, don’t know why they teach it, don’t know what it’s for, and stop at the crest release never moving on to the automatic release.  They teach a copy cat system that they were taught, without understanding. All of this adds to the deterioration of good American horsemanship.

There is no doubt that competition keeps the horse industry growing and thriving.  It’s very tempting to use short cuts or things you see winning in the show ring, without understanding their basis. This dilutes the knowledge base and our horsemen and women become less with each generation. This has happened in the U.S. and we’ve heard it in the out cry of notable professionals like George Morris.

It really boils down to studying and understanding the principals of riding in order to use them and pass them on to other riders.  Progress has to be built on a solid foundation using the basic principals of correct riding.  Once the basics are cemented in the foundation, a rider will have the independence to use whatever release they choose and will be able to ride whatever style they wish.  But if the basic foundation is not rock solid it will, guaranteed, come back to “get you” at some point in your riding (or teaching) career. It’s no different than saving money by  leaving out a few trusses when building your indoor. Your roof may be fine during normal snowstorms but when the very heavy snow and winds come,,, you’ll regret it.

For the next few post to “The Riding Instructor”, I’m going to talk about basics and foundations, beginning at the very bottom of the base of support.  I’ll include a variety of ways to teach what might otherwise be “boring”. My goal will be to get you to agree with me, that the basic foundation is crucially important to developing a secure and independent rider.  In fact, I believe it’s the only way to develop such a rider.

I’m not a football fan but I have tons of respect for the great Vince Lombardi. Vince Lombardi knew what it takes to develop a formidable, winning team. He required commitment and hard work from his players, and he continually drilled them in the basics. He believed that if the basic skills were in place, the rest would take care of itself.

I agree with Vince Lombardi.

Popularity: 57% [?]