How did Capt. Federico Caprilli change jumping technique?

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horsemanship An Icelandic horse moving swiftly at the *tölt*, a smooth four-beat, lateral running walk.

Capt. Federico Caprilli revolutionized jumping technique at the turn of the 20th century by rejecting the traditional, rigid style of the time. Previously, riders jumped obstacles by leaning their torsos back onto the horse’s haunches with their feet forward, which forced the horse to jump with its head held high and often in terror.1

By conducting a thorough study of the psychology and mechanics of equine locomotion, Caprilli developed the forward seat. In this position, the rider’s weight is centered forward in the saddle, directly over the horse’s withers. This innovation allowed the horse to move more naturally and efficiently, and it remains the standard style used today for jumping and cross-country riding.1