I'm an eventer, and my gelding recently got hurt ans I wasn't able to ride him. i could ride other peoples' horses sometimes, but I couldn't ride consistently. Now, he's back in shape and we're back to jumping again (we jump like 3ft- 3ft3inches). But, I've noticed that my position, which, not to brag, was pretty good last summer, has picked up some bad habbits. At first, I thought it was b/c I'd lost the muscle during all that time off, but I really havn't b/c I've been consistently weight lifting, etc. at school for volleyball, and I still have all that muscle. And we've been jumping consistently for a few weeks, but I just can't seem to fix it!

Here are some of my problems:

1) my leg slips back a little over fences

2) I am kind of starting to "jump for him", so I perch on his neck, rather than holding myself over his center of gravity

3) I don't have the balance to even do a good crest release, even over some cross rails. When I try, I lose my balance and perch on his neck again.

Here's a picture of how my position USED to be (and don't have any of how it is now)

and now it's nowhere near that and I'm getting kind of frustrated.. :/

yes, I have an instructor that can help me, but i also think that other peoples' ideas are good as well, so any advice will be helpful! thanks

The picture is not showing up for me. 

1) leg slipping back over fences is usually from pinching with your knee.

2) pinching with your knee can also contribute to jumping ahead.  You're also not waiting for him to lift you out of the saddle.

3) Again, from pinching with your knee and jumping ahead.  When you pinch with your knee your center of balance is higher making it harder to balance.  Keep an even contact down your leg with your weight down in your heels and your center of balance will be lower and closer to your horse.

I find that when I start to get tired or I'm out of shape I pinch with my knee.  Riding uses different muscles that you would use to play sports or lift weights.  When those muscles aren't being used they get weak.  Lots of work in 2 point at the walk and trot, along with dropping your irons for part of your ride should whip you back into shape in no time.

 All 3 of your points are related to me - balance is off, so torso shifts forward and legs slip back.

And if pinching is involved, you are probably tight in other places, too (like your hips) that can interfere with both your balance and with following the horse's movement.You need to "let go" and let your legs do their job w/out tensing up (in any direction).

I also agree w/ the other poster about your muscles - riding uses muscles that you would never use in other exercise - especially in your seat/hips, legs, back, and core. (Although if you  had said you did pilates regularly, I might have thought your core is OK). You need to build up that strength again to improve your balance.

yeahh, thanks, both of these make sense. and actually, I have no idea why this says it was posted today, b/c I actually wrote it and stuff last week...but my internet's been screwed up. but yeahh my position's actually been getting better, as we've been jumping more consistently and I ride in 2point all the time. Thanks!