The Forward Seat position for fast equitation is quite similar to the Forward Seat position for slow equitation. There is a logical progression in learning position in this system since riding forward seat requires physical strength, and it takes time for the rider's muscles to develop and get strong. Though the differences between the slow equitation seat and the fast equitation seat are few, they are important to develop a secure jumping position. I am quoting the same books as my blog on the Forward Seat Position for Slow Equitation, quoting from pages 39-44 in "The Forward Seat." This position is now called the "two point" position, and when I started riding it was called the Gallop Position. Now back to Littauer.

"The necessity of changing position for fast Equitation is determined mainly by the speed of the movement. There are two fast movements: the Gallop and the Jump. In both these movements the shocks of locomotion are felt more by the rider than at a walk, trot or canter. These shocks are different in different movements. Some of them are vertical, others horizontal, rolling or pitching. The horizontal and pitching shocks assume their greatest force in the gallop and in jumping.

This means that the movement of the horse is not even, but jerky, and that the forequarters and the hindquarters in turn, sink and rise considerably. Hence the necessity of being out of the saddle. If the rider diminishes his area of contact with the saddle, he must increase his grip and spring. Both of these elements depend largely on the amount of weight in the stirrups. Hence the necessity of shortening them. For the position of fast Equitation, the stirrup leathers will have to be two or three holes shorter than when adjusted for slow Equitation. In order to keep the weight, with the short stirrups, in the same place where it was when the rider had longer stirrups and was deeper in the saddle, the rider must get out of the saddle, pushing his buttocks to the rear of it, and lean forward with the torso.

You must always remember that the idea of short stirrups cannot be divorced from the idea of being out of the saddle. They are inseperable. If the rider attempts to sit in the saddle with short stirrups, then he will have to sit in the rear part of it. The Forward Seat will be completely destroyed. (My note--the rider can "sit" by perching on the pubic bone/front of the seat bones, with no weight on the rear of the seat bones.)

It is difficult at first to know how much to be out of the saddle and how much to lean forward without loosing the firmness of the position. Usually a novice rider gets out of the saddle too high and leans forward and down too much. When getting too high, the rider raises the weight of his body too much. When collapsing on the horse's neck, the rider transfers his weight too much ahead of his points of support. In both cases, he loses a good deal of the firmness of his position.

When the rider is in the position for fast Equitation his extreme forward contact with the saddle is his knee and his extreme rear contact is his stirrup. The distance between them is the base of support. The line of the rider's center of gravity must always be inside the base of support.

As you see, there are three main differences in the rider's position for fast Equitation as compared with the position for slow Equitation: the stirrups are shorter, the rider is distinctly out of the saddle and he leans forward more. Here is the summary for rules of this position, described from the feet up:

The Position for Fast Equitation

1) The heels pulled down, so it feels like all the weight going into the stirrups goes down into the heels, to harden the muscles of the legs, for better gripping.

2) The toes turned out about thirty degrees, to make the calves face the horse's body, for better gripping.

3) Soles of the feet turned slightly outward to increase the contact between the knees and the saddle. (My note--do this by keeping your foot's weight on the inside of the stirrup, with the side of your foot pressing against the inside branch of the stirrup iron.)

4) The rider practically stands in the stirrups for better spring and grip. The rider's seat should be low above the saddle. Stirrups must be held in the middle of the feet for better spring.

5) The lower legs held back, so that the toes and knees are approximately on the same vertical line so that the stirrup leathers hang vertically or slightly behind vertical. Legs ought to be back for four reasons: to grip, to spring, to help keep the rider's weight forward and to control the horse.

6) The knees must be kept forward for better initial position. They must adhere to the saddle.

7) The muscles of the lower thighs must be flat against the saddle for better adherence.

8) The buttocks must be off the saddle, over the rear part of it. If the buttocks move forward too much, the rider's weight will be ahead of the line of support.

9) The body of the rider must be inclined forward as much as is required by the speed: (a) to have good spring; (b) not to be left behind the horse's movements; (c) to keep the weight above the horse's center of oscillation and in the middle of the rider's base of support. The rider must be careful not to lean too much.

10) The back must be slightly caved in, chest and shoulders open, for better balance and also for a better forward position.

11) The hands must hold the reins shorter than in the case of a position for slow Equitation. Otherwise the reins will be too long when the rider leans forward. The hands must be kept low, so that the line of action from the elbow to the horse's mouth is straight. The rider should not put his hands on the horse's withers or neck, "bridging" his reins or otherwise. In doing so (balancing himself on his hands) the rider will transfer his weight ahead of the base of support. Hands and arms must be kept in the air on both sides of the horse's neck. This can be executed only by the rider who has a strong grip and a good balance. If kept in the air, the hands can control the horse's mouth much more softly.

12) The head must be kept erect and straight. The rider must look ahead between the horse's ears.

The Forward Seat...enables the average man to ride with more security and obtain a better performance from an average horse."

Have a good ride.