Why is the forward seat commonly used in jumping?

The forward seat is commonly used in jumping because it is designed to conform to the natural mechanics and locomotion of the horse. Developed by Italian cavalry instructor Federico Caprilli at the turn of the 20th century, this style centers the rider's weight forward in the saddle, over the horse's withers, rather than sitting back on the animal's haunches.12

By positioning the rider's torso and hands forward, the forward seat allows the horse greater freedom of movement, particularly in its hindquarters and hocks, which is essential for jumping. During the jump, the rider conforms to the horse's natural motion by moving their hands in line with the horse's shoulders as the head extends after takeoff and retracts upon landing. This approach avoids unbalancing the horse, allowing it to perform more naturally and confidently compared to older methods that forced the horse to jump with its head held up and the rider's weight shifted backward.23