Yes, it is a crazy hunter trainer thing, I heard the same thing in college, when I was doing hunters.  And if you just try to force your toe in, you are correct, it just messes up your leg contact and makes your ankles hurt.  Now, not to say you should be riding on the backs of your calves, but your toe should be inside the 45-degree-angle mark, but not parallel with the horse.  Pull up a pic of Beezie Madden (who is a gorgeous rider with beautiful equitation) -- you won't see her toes parallel to the horse and I think she knows a thing or two.  Even though our 16-year-old equitation pro here says "ur doin it wrong!"  I'm siding with Morris and Madden.

Solaris:

Pull up a pic of Beezie Madden (who is a gorgeous rider with beautiful equitation) -- you won't see her toes parallel to the horse and I think she knows a thing or two. 

I know this is gonna sound cheesey, but every time I watch Beezie ride, she takes my breath away. She has impeccable equitation and is truly an awe-inspiring rider. That chic's leg does not move a centimeter, even over a 6 foot fence - perfect form and just tight as a tick (she does use Saddtletite, as I have watched her put it on - but I don't think that counts for much, lol). The other rider who looks like he's riding an equitation round in the Grand Prix ring is McClain Ward - I aspire to sit up even half as straight and pretty as he does! Those two are definitely my equitation inspiration.

 Way to overkill! I said what wokrs for me and keeps me more secure and what I find more effective and I get 10 replies saying how you disagree because the pros don't do it. Well F.Y.I. just because someone who is a professioanl does something doesn't make it right. I think she gets it when you say I'm wrong...you don't have to go on and on about it though I still stand by what I said 100%.

xrde2lve_lve2rdex:

you don't have to go on and on about it

Easy, girl!  This is a discussion forum.  They were discussing the issue.

I don't think I'm physically capable of riding with my toes pointing straight forward.  If you rotate your ankle slightly, it's also much easier to get your heels down.  That's what I teach, but then again, I'm not a professional....

 I think your over all postion is there, but you need to really get those heels down. I was taught to put weight on the ball of you big toe, and that with naturally put the correct part of your leg on your horse. Try more two point as well to lengthen your leg and heel.

I would not put the weight into the balls of your feet because that will send your heels up which will cause you to pinch with your knee and send your lower leg flying back.  The weight goes into the heel and you should not need a lot of weight in the actual stirrup.  I like to try to focus on pushing my butt back and/or bringing my heel forward when I'm going over a jump because I tend to let my lower leg slip back, too.

I do agree with more two-point work and work without stirrups to secure your leg.  While I'm working on "dressage" right now (really, I'm just working on getting my overall position back), I can sympathize with having to do these exercises.  My trainer is making me do all kinds of bareback and no-stirrup work.

And I LOVE McLain Ward!!!! He is my inspiration!  Is he married?

Nicole:

And I LOVE McLain Ward!!!! He is my inspiration!  Is he married?

Yup. Sorry, Nicole, ya just missed it - he got married very recently (just within the last year, I believe).

Frizzle:

Yup. Sorry, Nicole, ya just missed it - he got married very recently (just within the last year, I believe).

Damn... the good ones are always taken. 

I think you can do better, Nicole. Probably not a better rider, because, let's face it, that man can ride...but definitely a better guy. Although, how cool would it be to take Sapphire out for a test-ride?!

Haha, let's hope so!  While riding Sapphire would be the ultimate dream come true, I bet he'd be all like "Nobody touches her."  Just my luck!  :)

Hey omg ur on here as well.

=) Well well. Tuck and you look good, will see you on Saturday