What is the proper equitation seat for dressage?

Answer 1

I prefer The Trilogy Verago from Performance Saddlery (performancesaddlery.com) or Lauriches. Lauriche went out of buissiness and no longer makes saddles but you can find very nice used ones. If you do not want to buy a custom saddle I recommend The Legacy Elegance (dressageextensions.com) or the Stubben Maestro with Biomex Seat (doversaddlery.com)!

Answer 2

There are many things you need to keep in mind if you want to properly sit atop a horse in a dressage saddle. The most important thing you need to keep in mind would be your posture. You must be sitting up straight with your legs bent, allowing your ankles, hip bones, shoulders, and head all to be in a straight line. Sit up tall, keep your head up; my trainer always tells me to "sit like a princess." You heels must be down in order to keep your balance in the saddle, however, you don't need your heels down as much as you need to for, say, hunt seat equitation, slightly down will be alright. Your elbows must be at your sides and your wrists in line with your forearm, keeping a connection with the horses mouth. Keep your pinkies outside of the rein, holding it with your middle three fingers, and your thumb on the top of it. Always keep your eyes up also!

Answer 3

The proper equitation seat for dressage involves sitting deeply in the saddle with a straight back, relaxed and elastic arms, and legs that hang long and loose. The rider's weight should be evenly distributed over both seat bones, and the heels should be kept down. The goal is to appear balanced, harmonious, and in sync with the horse's movement.