Learning to ride includes the use of your whole body. It is not enough to sit in the correct position on a standing horse. You need to prectice the use of your body as the horse moves. The use of video equipment can be very useful when teaching and evaluating riding position.

Center of Gravity
When you are riding, your center of gravity is located about 10 cm below you navel. In order to maintain your horses balance, you must align your center of gravity with that of your horse. Your position will vary depending on the work you are asking of your horse. This is why jockeys that Gallop race horses are hunched over the horses's Neck, because as the speed of the horse increases, the horse's center of gravity moves forward, or why Dressage riders doing collected worj keep the center of gravity further Back, helping to slow and collect the horse, as the movement of the horse slows, the center of gravity moves back.

If you can maintain your balance over the shifting center of gravity of your horse, your horse will stay balanced, will be more confident with your aids and will not have to work as hard. No matter what sytle of riding you are interested in, balance is important. The rider's position can influence the horse's way of going to a great extent. Learning to relax and allowing youself to feel the horse's movement can greatly add to a rider's enjoyment.