Karl Cook has sparked a clear debate among the American equestrian elite with his statement. In a training article for Noëlle Floyd, Cook argues that function should take precedence over the perfect picture. "In America, we place too much emphasis on the rider's position," Cook explains. McLain Ward and John and Beezie Madden have already responded with significant pushback.
"In the United States, we place too much emphasis on the rider's position. In theory, that's great, but in practice, it's not functional. Functionality takes precedence over the perfect picture. You need balance and efficiency in the saddle," says Karl Cook in an interview with Noëlle Floyd. "There is no such thing as a single position. There are different positions that can serve you. A position in the saddle is dynamic."
McLain Pushes Back
McLain Ward calls this claim absolute nonsense! "A correct position is essential," says the American show jumper. "It ensures a good balance between rider and horse and provides the rider with the necessary freedom. It's true that many top riders don’t have a perfect seat. But their success is not because of an imperfect seat. On the contrary, they are so talented that, despite their less-than-perfect posture, they can still perform at the highest level! A classical seat and good balance are the foundation for every rider."
Sending the Wrong Message
Beezie and John Madden also respond to Cook’s assertion. "I fear that young riders might start neglecting the basics of riding because of this. I think Karl Cook is missing the point about why correct posture is important!"
"The classical seat is all about safety and the ability to clearly communicate with the horse. Every aspect of horsemanship should be based on certain fundamentals. A correct position minimizes potential mistakes. It ensures that a rider can remain perfectly balanced while maintaining a clear connection with their horse!"
