Ultimate shoulder rides

Thanks for the reply

I am into w-o-w and m-o-w and the women i asked this question said that a skinny, tall person is much easier than a short stocky one.

That's a good question, and I'm flattered that anyone would refer to me as an "expert" in the field.  Actually I do have an idea or two to offer.

It's true that a tall rider can wrap her long legs around her carrier's back without much effort, and that goes a long way toward keeping her stable on her partner's shoulders.  What's more, her feet are likely to be lower on her horse's back, and that means more leverage, which certainly adds to stability.

It sounds as though a relatively short rider like me might be at a disadvantage, but since I tend to win chicken fights I must be doing SOMETHING right. I think the answer is partly poise, balance, and confidence, and a strong horse.  But for me a clear advantage is my muscular legs, which I consciously keep wrapped tightly around my horse's sides, and keep my feet firmly hooked behind his back, which some riders don't.  That way I can stay nice and snug astride the back of my horse's neck, just where I want to be. Also, in addition to being short, I'm light, so when I ride a tall, muscular horse (pure ecstasy!) my weight doesn't slow him down.  We can move quickly together, and even if he's momentarily at an odd angle and needs to recover his balance to get my own center of gravity directly over his spine, my weight doesn't push him down into the water.  I can stay astride him easily unless, of course, we're underwater and having trouble getting back up.  After all, breathing is useful from time to time. 

The bottom line?  An inexperienced tall rider has an advantage because of her long legs, but an experienced, light, agile, athletic short rider who has muscular legs and uses them has a different kind of advantage.  Which kind of rider would you enthusiastic carriers like to have on your shoulders?

I don't mean to ignore the original question.  A short and STOCKY rider's weight can push her mount down if he's off balance.  I'm 105 lb and slim, not stocky, so that's never been a problem for me.  So I guess I have to agree with Kelltun's principle in general, although I usually don't seem to have trouble dumping tall and skinny riders on the opposing team, so I also agree with Louie_sr that experience and confidence play an important role, as do strength and balance.

One last comment.  I think motivation may be an important factor.  I LOVE being astride someone's shoulders, and in a chicken fight I always do everything I can, both deliberately and by instinct, to make sure I stay well mounted up there.  It's more than a game to me: it's a passion.

Liz

After my experience ladies or girls as riders who are tall and skinny have more problems to keep their balance with their upper part of their body.
So short and stocky girls or ladies do it easier.
But the most important point that is how a rider can keep her balance and there I could not see any difference between short and tall riders.
Tall riders have usually longer legs and can therefore support their balance with their legs.
As I mostly have ladies or girls on my shouldes who have experiences in riding horses, I never mentioned much difference.

Frankly I am not interested in riding on any females shoulders but let me ask you shawnpatrick what technique you are using to get them. Just curious...