Federico Caprilli

Federico Caprilli ( born April 7, 1868 in Livorno, † December 6, 1907 in Pinerolo ) was captain of the Italian Army and an instructor at the Italian Cavalry Schools. He is considered a pioneer of the so-called light Spring seat in equestrian sports.

By the end of the 19th century in show jumping, a seat was customary at the far back leaning the rider was in the saddle and his feet stretched forward in order to support themselves well when landing can. Even before Caprilli riders had come out a bent-over lightweight seat where the rider stands just above the saddle in the stirrups to take, which enabled them to follow the horses movement and to relieve the back of the horse in the jump, but first Caprilli able to prevail through his teaching this new seat. In order to prove the superiority of this seat, he put 1902 in Turin with 2.08 m a new high jump record. Caprilli died in 1907 in a seemingly harmless fall.

Philosophy of his Riding

For Caprilli the new headquarters was a means to an end. The purpose was a natural balance of the horse, which should not be disturbed by the rider. This horse and rider should be able to move in the terrain with the least possible effort.

Quotes from Santini: Caprilli documents, Quadriga Publisher

• Page 34: I reckon that we must strive to keep a horse as nature has made ​​it, without changing its nature or position of the head
• Page 35: dressage and riding Kamp In my opinion are complete opposites. The one excludes the other, and destroyed it.

Several European and American cavalry oriented to the system Caprilli.

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