What is the correct hunt seat position?

The correct hunt seat position is a balanced, forward-oriented riding position that allows the rider to follow the horse's movement over fences without interfering with the horse's use of its back and neck, while maintaining enough security and control to direct the horse effectively on course. On the flat, the hunt seat position places the rider in a slightly forward seat with the upper body inclined a few degrees in front of the vertical — not the deep, vertical classical dressage seat but a position oriented toward the forward movement that jumping requires. The leg position is the foundation of the hunt seat: a bent knee with the heel down, the stirrup under the ball of the foot, and the lower leg in a stable, supportive position at the girth. The thigh lies flat against the saddle with the inner thigh surface in contact, providing security without gripping, and the knee bends at a comfortable angle that positions the lower leg correctly. The upper body is tall and balanced over the hip, with relaxed shoulders and arms that hang naturally from soft elbows. The hands are carried with soft fists and the thumbs up, maintaining a straight line from the bit through the rein to the elbow. The head is up and the eyes look ahead in the direction of travel — looking down is one of the most common and most corrected faults in hunt seat riding. Over fences, this position moves into the two-point as the horse lifts and uses its back through the jumping arc, with the rider folding at the hip to follow the horse's motion without getting left behind or jumping ahead of the horse's movement. The correct hunt seat position at all times prioritizes security, balance, and the ability to follow the horse's movement without interference.