Questions and Answers
Showjumping Crest Release

Hi,
I have a question about show jumping. I am currently competing in pony club A grade and also doing some D grade open jumping. My horses go pretty well, but I want to get my style right and I’m confused about a training issue, namely the ‘crest release’. Most teachers say to put the hands forward over the jump to release the reins and leave the horse’s head free, while others say to keep a light contact. I would rather release so I don’t hit the horse’s mouth, but should you release by putting the hands forward along the crest of the mane (as in the crest release), or lower down, on either side of the neck? I reckon down is better, as this makes more of a straight line from hand to bit and it’s easier to feel back the rein contact when you land. But my friend says this is wrong, and that the hands should stay up high, on the crest. Can you please explain the difference, and which might be better?

Vicki Roycroft replies
Great question! And so pleased to hear from kids who want to ‘do it right’. Like I say to all my students, the world’s best riders, Beezie Madden, Rolf Goran Bengstonn, Marcus Ehning, not only ride beautifully, but they look beautiful doing it.

Now, there are many different releases, and you have mentioned two, but they all get used depending on your experience. The ‘crest release’ is taught to beginner/intermediate riders as it makes it easier for them to keep their balance, keep their eyes up and back straight, as it involves sliding your fingers up the crest of the horse’s neck and resting them half way up on the horse’s neck. This is still a release I use a great deal, especially on the younger horses, as it allows them a lot of freedom, and the rider more security.

The other release your friend is referring to is the ‘automatic’ or ‘out of hand’ release, and is for more advanced riders whose balance is more established, and who have a good working knowledge of leg to hand contact, as, in effect, the jump itself is just a bigger canter stride, so often a light contact is required. So you are both right! The big thing is to have the horse happy doing its job, so you use whatever is applicable so they can jump a beautiful fence.

Because the other release that I love, and still use lots on young horses, is the ‘mane release’, whereby if I’m on a real green one, or have got to a messy takeoff, my first instinct is to grab some mane half way up their neck, so I don’t smack them in the back teeth or lose my balance! Happy riding....