i seem to remember commenting about this style of driving some time ago on the forum and why some drivers use the laid back position ...for those of you who did not see my comments then, i will have another go now.the style was mastered first in america and not all drivers use it.the drivers do not use it just for fun as it can be very strenuous on the lower back,stomach and thigh muscles,so you might ask,why do it?the answer is to give your horse every inch of advantage....how you ask? the answer is by taking the weight off of the saddle.... physics...now do a test for your self,grab your sulky and pick it up by the quick hitch,now get someone to sit upright on the seat,notice the weight you feel on the shafts,now get the person sitting on the seat to lay back as far as he or she can,now notice the weight at the hitch,the sulky will tend to rise and possibly want to move forward.D Oliver mastered his own style by getting off the saddle and up further on the horses neck.i know that a lot of you would not have a sulky at hand but most of you would have wheel barrow...now try this,place a board about 4 or 5 ft long in the barrow facing forward,put say 2 bags of cement in the barrow on the the board,pick the barrow up and push or pull it.notice your effort .now get someone to move one of bags forward up the board,notice your effort now...physics...facts or bulltish,think about it.