Roger, My experience with the BHS technique for jumping (through my daughter’s time in the UK) is that they teach jumping from a full seat, more like riding from a dressage seat and dressage rhythm. It’s the one part of my daughter’s education I disagree with.
Piero Santini’s book, The Forward Impulse (published in 1936, lists attendee at Pinerolo from 1900-1932, and Tor Di Quinto from 1907-1934. Out of 83 foreign attendees at Pinerolo during those years the only one was British, Capt. Bowden Smith said to be the head of the school at Weedon. For Tor Di Quinto out of 68 foreign attendees, only three are British the last being Capt. W. Carr in 1934. Just something to think about.

Also I’ve meant to ask if you’ve ever read Modern Horsemanship by Colonel Paul Rodzianko. He was a student of both James Fillis and Caprilli. Barbara

Hi Tracey, I don’t mean to sound trite when I say I feel your pain because I really do. I was a young instructor when this fad started winning in the show ring and then when it got to where if riders didn’t use the crest release they were eliminated. And I remember when as a junior rider I finally achieved the goal of jumping with a following hand. It was a huge accomplishment. Sadly riders today don’t have that goal or feeling of freedom over fences and most riding “positions” are a pipe cleaner perching. My suggestions is not to try to buck the show system and take it for what it is. Teach your students how to use the accepted crest release so they can play the showing game as well as anyone else but teach two-point without hands as an exercise for strengthening them. May I kindly suggest to avoid approaching it as what they are doing is wrong, because that has become a relative statement. It’s wrong according to excellent horsemanship standards, but not wrong according to the show ring. If you treat riding two point without the hand propping as an exercise, another part of the riding program or learning process, you might be able to instill the benefits anyway. You can make games with it too. I’ve had kids ride low grids while tying knots in baling string, but I use it as a challenge rather than a rigid skill. Keep trying because it’s right and you will make stronger riders. And as far as those legs go- yup- I feel a need to write a post on base of support soon! Thanks so much for you comment. Hang in there and keep doing a good job. Barbara

Thanks, Roger. Repetition is our friend in many ways.