ABSTRACT
Competitive athletes strive to improve performance, often incorporating the use of equipment perceived to give them a competitive edge (Hughes, 2008). In equestrian sports, the use of ‘close contact’ saddles has increased dramatically over the past decade, due to the perception that the saddle design permits closer connection between horse and rider. The primary aim of the saddle is to stabilise the rider so that posture may be maintained and the aids used to control and direct the horse effectively applied. Whether the saddle design assists in this has not been scientifically proven. The aim of this study was to analyse rider posture in two types of saddle commonly used in jumping over the past 20 years; a modern ‘close contact’ saddle and a ‘traditional style’ two flap jump saddle.
