(1) The weight during the actual jump is fixed roughly over the horse's centre of gravity (this is, of course, only approximate as the centre of gravity moves during locomotion), which helps the horse to balance himself. Under these conditions he should jump as well as when free.

(2) The lower part of the legs are free to be applied to the horse when necessary.

(3) It is easy to give the horse more rein if required; also to give him the office at the right moment.

(4) There is small likelihood of interfering with the horse's balance by inadvertently touching his mouth.

(5) The horse's hindquarters are free; he can easily raise his forehand if the position of the weight carried is constant.

(6) The rider can lean forward or back as required on landing.

(7) He can never be jumped off or be unseated by a horse taking off previous to his anticipation. His seat being just off the saddle he does not feel the concussion as he would if sitting down in the saddle.

Still, it is important not to exaggerate the forward seat, or it will, like the laying-back seat, be found to have its drawbacks.

I once asked a well-known officer after a race how he managed to fall at the first fence. He told me that he was trying the Italian seat. Of course it was rather a bad occasion to experiment with a new style, still one does see it done chasing now, and always over hurdles.

Fig.18 - An exaggerated forward seat typical of show jumping.

Fig.18 - An exaggerated forward seat typical of show jumping. - By permission of Cabt. Paul Rodzankj

Personally I think people are apt to be misled by watching show jumping, when the rider sometimes brings his body more forward as the horse is clearing the fence and coming down, the reason being to get the weight well on to the forehand which is over the fence, and relieve the hindquarters of all weight, so that the hind-legs may not touch the fence. How the horse lands in this case is quite a secondary consideration. The practice is therefore unpractical for general purposes.

On the other hand, one must not be misled by watching jockeys riding over the National fences. In photographs one observes them leaning back on their horses' quarters, with their feet stuck out by the point of their horses' shoulders. This is an exaggerated effort on the part of the riders to stick on. There is no intention to help the horses. This position would be impossible if it were not for the tremendous impetus of the horses and the fact that they are taught to take a strong hold of their bits.