When competing in Equitation judges judge the rider's position while mounted that involves the rider's ability to ride correctly and with effective aids.
We have listed a few things that can help your equitation: 1) Do as much no-stirrup work as you can.
If you don't feel comfortable riding without your stirrups start at the walk and work your way up to the trot and canter.
Your ultimate goal is to be able to able to ride for an hour without them and to be able to jump a course.
Working without your stirrups builds your core muscle groups and helps your leg stay in position.
2) Maintain proper body position at the walk, sitting trot and canter.
Keep your head up, eyes forward, shoulders back, back straight and body leaning slightly forward.
3) Hold your hands just above the withers and slightly apart, with your knuckles rotated 30 degrees inside the vertical.
There should be a straight line from horse's mouth to rider's elbow.
4) Flex your ankles, keep your heels down, and maintain contact with the horse with your calves.
Keep legs slightly behind the girth.
5) When competing wear a dark jacket with a light-colored shirt; a riding helmet with light-colored breeches; tall, dark leather riding boots and spurs/riding crop if needed.
6) Practicing bending lines and roll back turns can help you ride an equitation course well.
Have your trainer or yourself set up a few different courses that includes bending line and role back turns so you and your horse can be prepared for what the equitation course will be like when competing.