Every year St. Andrews fields a team at the ANRC National Championships. Historically, we have been very successful at this competition yet outside of college circles only the most dedicated horsemen understand what ANRC is all about. As we prepare to send our eight representatives to Savannah this weekend for this year’s competition it is a great time to share with the greater community what ANRC is and why we take it so seriously.
ANRC stands for The American National Riding Commission. ANRC has a rich history reaching back more than 60 years and undergoing various name changes but never losing its strong focus on correct hunter seat equitation. The theories and techniques that are taught reflect the teaching on one very determined Russian Calvary officer who came to America in the 1920s with literally nothing including no understanding of the English language. Captain Vladimir Littaur developed a riding system focusing on position, control and schooling. His system became known as the forward system of riding and at the three levels he defined offers a system of riding and training to everyone from the casual recreational rider up to the serious professional trainer. Horsehold names such as George Morris, Joe Fargis and Lendon Gray embrace the forward system for its simplicity and effectiveness.
The Forward System of Riding focuses on cooperation between horse and rider developed through a systematic approach to riding and training. The system starts with communication between horse and rider that focuses on gross motor skills and clear aids such as a tapping leg. As the horse and rider progress they learn refined aids for example the squeezing leg. With the development of the aids comes improved balance, timing and coordination leading to the appearance of horse and rider moving as one.
ANRC has developed a rider certification system to allow riders to track their progress starting with an Introductory level through nine progressive levels to National Judge. The certification process offers participants professional credentials as well as a clearly defined progression. Events called Equitrials are held for evaluation purposes and riders competing in the National Championships can earn a rating if they sufficient scores.
Why is this important to the instructional program at St. Andrews? Simply put it provides a logical framework for teaching. As riders progress from the elementary level of control into the intermediate level of control they develop refinement and grace in the saddle as well as becoming effective on a variety of horses. The system develops horsemen not just riders. At St. Andrews we teach the forward system to all riders including those in our western and dressage programs. The students that take this training to heart often graduate to become successful trainers or instructors. Daniel Geitner, SAPC alum, is an example in the competitive world of show jumping who came through the system.
The ANRC National Championships are hosted every year by different colleges. The strongest riders in the SAPC program are selected to represent their peers in this challenging competition. They must complete a written test on theory and stable management. The riding phases of the competition consist of a dressage sportif test (similar to a dressage test but including a trot and a canter fence), an outdoor course (think hunter trails) and a medal course (stadium). All riding phases are judged on equitation (defined as the art or act of riding a horse –we judge artistry or style). The quality of the horse certainly does come into the judging which can be advantageous for students with deep pockets who can afford a high quality equine. A couple of our riders have their own horse but the others are competing on school owned horses.
So it is a big deal! This is what we teach every day not just in the riding ring but in the classroom too. It is a system that we embrace to develop our riders into horsemen and our horses into solid equine professors that do the brunt of the teaching for us!
Tomorrow the 2011 squad leaves for Savannah College of Art and Design for this year’s competition. Good luck to all!
National Division – 3’
Audrey Bolte
Audrey Hayden
Rob Jacobs
Katie Hansen
Kim Graves
Novice Division – 2’6”
Jen Callahan
Alexandra Fullerton
Alexandra McGraw
Coaches
Peggy McElveen, Ashley Duda, Lindsey Crowther
Chef d’Equip – Karen Gruninger (Karen’s job is to organize everything, people, horses, meals, logistics etc.)
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