Hi,

 

I am new to this forum site and was hoping for some advice on how I can improve my jumping position. I have a green horse who is very unpredictable and we are taking it very slow and not over facing him.

 

When I jump I tend to "LEAP" out of the saddle and go up rather than folding and moving my hands forward. There is a lot of day light betwen me and the saddle and I know I am doing it wrong but can't seem to make the adjustment despite being told time and time again by my trainer!!

 

HELP.

I have been doing exercises on the flat in two point in walk and trot and it is getting easier to hold my postion and this is helping but I loose it all when I put a fence up in front of me.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Thanks

 This sounds just like me. My instructor had me literally put my chest on the horse's neck (while still looking up, of course) and concentrate on keeping my hands on her mane. She says to run my hands right into her mane like a comb so they aren't so likely to come out. Also I'm supposed to push my butt out to the rear like I have humongous hips. All while keeping my legs wrapped around the horse.

 

People think jumping is so easy. Bleah. I can multitask, but five things at once? Now my instructor is telling me that I can close my eyes over the jumps and that should help.

 

Another instructor in the past suggested singing - Row Row Row Your Boat - as you approach the jump. It actually seems to work, except that it's easy to get tired of childlren's songs.

try trotting small crossrails in two-point. Since you have a green horse get him straight to the fence first then get into two point three or four strides out. When you go over the fence think about pushing your butt back and all your weight into your heels while still keeping your legs tight and closed. Also its very important to grab some mane on a greenie so you don't get him in the mouth. Too many times of catching his mouth over a fence and he won't want to jump any more. also stay in your two point for a few strides after the fence too, this will help you get the feel of staying with your horse.

Wow great photo, thats what I need to learn how to do. Thanks for the advice I will keep trying.

Hey thanks for the advice I will try this exercise, not sure about the singing I have all on to breath while jumping

 Practice "the fold" on the ground to help strengthen your position and retrain your muscles.  Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart.  Press your weight into your heels, push your butt back and squat down.  The movement needs to come from your hips, not your knees, so don't let your knees go out over your toes.  A lot like you want your position to be over fences!  Move your arms out in front of your body to counter balance and to also simulate the release.  Press your weight into your heels as you stand back up.  

You need to help retrain your muscles, so the movement become "instinctive", so you don't total lose it when faced with a fence.  Also, if your greenie will tolerate it, start working on gymnastics.  The fences don't have to be any more than crossrails, or even poles on the ground.  The idea is to work on your timing and striding.  Gymnastics will help your horse with his unpredictability.  If he's having problems judging distances, grids will be perfect.

The other hated exercise is work without stirrups at all gaits and in your two point.  If you're not comfortable without stirrups, could someone lunge you on him so you might be able to do this exercise?  It's invaluble for strengthening and improving your position.  

I had never even considered doing this on the ground but it makes perfect sense to master it on the ground first, thank you so much for the suggestion. I will get someone to lunge us also while I try without stirrups after I have practised on the ground first. Thanks again!!!

I have just posted a photo on the constructive critique forum... be gentle!!!

 

 

 People often seem to forget practicing this movement on the ground.  If you can't perform the move and stay balanced when you're on the ground, how will you be able to do it horseback?  

Off to look at your picture!

Agreed -- the movement must come from the hips, not the legs or waist.  And you do NOT want to lay on your horse's neck either.  Think about pushing your hips and bum back over the jump and just letting your hand follow the horse's mouth.  :-)

 

A way to fix this is to basically pretend the jump isn't there as you canter towards it. just sit on the horse. you will be naturally pressed up off the horses back as you lifts you and closes your hip angle. Hope it goes well! pictures would help too btw, if you can get them ;)

I would suggest riding a more experienced jumper for a little while, until you can figure out your position. Another thing I would do is riding and jumping without stirrups. This is a great way for you to find your natural position and not "leap" out of the saddle, as there is nothing to brace your feet against! It is hard to do so many things at once, but this will help you and strengthen your leg muscles!

 hello i am also new to this and i was reading yours comments and i have the exact same problems that you do, or did. my horse is not green but he is a TB and used to race. He gets very excited when going to a jump which makes it even harder to work on my position. I ofter end up not staying in the tack or catching him in the mouth. we've been practice but i dont wanna make it worse and worse until its too late. I was just wondering out of the advice you got back, what worked best for you or if you had any of your own advice. i would appreciate it a lot. I'm still new with this and im not sure how to work it all yet but i would like your reply. thank you very much 

You've gotten a lot of really great suggestions so far!  My first recommendation would be to work without stirrups on the flat at all three gaits.  When you can post (no, it won't be pretty) for a whole minute or so, you'll have tons of the right muscles and balance to help keep you secure during your horse's more green moments.

Once you're comfortable without stirrups, try trot cavaletti both with and without stirrups.  If possible, don't just put poles on the ground, as they can get spun around by a hoof, or get stepped on.  Something a few inches off the ground would be plenty.  Start with just one or two poles until your horse gets the idea that he should just trot through rather than jumping the whole lot of them!  Add poles as he gets comfortable; probably not much more than 4 or 5.  Don't overdo them, because they're very tiring for the horse.

THEN...  Once you're comfortable with all this fun stuff, try going through canter-length cavaletti.  The really fun part is putting a crop (slim and bendy if possible) under your seatbones and then go through the canter cavaletti, keeping the crop underneath you the whole time.  After all this, you'll be very well attached to your horse, with legs as tight as a tick, and so well balanced that everything will be easier.

Good luck!

 Yes i definatley agree. To help count the strides nto the jump and then it will help you to take up your jumping position. Keep you legs in the same position and stand slightly out of the saddle stick you bum out and give the rein. remember to keep your legs in the same position and it will help you to stay with your horse and will prevent any accidents.sticking your bum out really helps as it will get the fold better.