Desperate For Jumping Position Help !?

Question

Ok so I've been riding 5+ years and I'm now more serious with jumpers. My jumping position is usually fine...when I'm not riding my horse! I've been working on my release, and it too always seems better when I'm riding other horses. When I'm on my horse, a green yet very bold jumper, I always seem to be jumping ahead, or left behind. I honestly don't know what is wrong...I've adjusted my stirrup length numerous times and my knee still acts as a pivot. Any advise would be great. :]

Here's a video...you can see my position more toward the middle//end...starting at 1:28...Thanks !! Lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oB6widhR50

Answer 1

didnt look too bad in the video....just practice jumping position while your not jumping and it will stretch your muscles down a bit. Stay in half seat as long as you can! Thats how my jumping position became PERFECT! lol =]

Answer 2

looked fine to me! btw why are u wearing a XC vest? do ppl wear that for regular jumps too? (just starting to jump so not all that knowledgeable)

also you dont need to lose weight! that person was just being a jerk. you look fine!

Answer 3

Your horse is awesome, and your not badat all. You just need to sorta crouch back into to saddle and not stand up over the jump. When he lands your very balanced and so is your horse but this will help you over the jumps. Start at the trot and have a friend watch you go into your jumping position. You need your heels down and your legs on the girth. Your release is fine, its just your seat.

Hope this helps!!! :))

Answer 4

looks like you were nervous and holding your reigns too tight. i would get in 2-point but don't lean forward and when you feel him get off the ground push your hands up but not too far but enough to where you are not hitting his mouth. also when you pull around a corner you want to pull your arm back to your side not out so almost like your doing that "YES" and you bring your arm back to the side that movement.  uhmm but it just looks liek you are nervous a bit and are not giving him enough reign or trusting him to go over and when you go over you are not getting down in jumping position you are just standing in your sittur ups. you want to push your butt back and hands right up the neck only a bit and eyes up and legs tight.

hope that helps

xxooxo

Answer 5

It's okay, just try to remember how many steps your horse takes to get to the jump so you will know when to get into your jumping position.

Answer 6

first of all, don't listen to that jerk about your weight.  You look FINE!

the first thing i notice though, is that your foot is rather far in your stirrup, this makes is more difficult to put your heel down, and would therefore add to the pivoting knee.  You want the ball of your foot to be on the iron..

next you look stiff in general, probably (from what i gathered in the video) you fell off this horse and hurt yourself?  I would suggest working at the canter, just RELAXING, even dropping your stirrups if you feel more comfortable.. you appear to be "pumping" with you seat which will automatically set you up incorrectly for a fence.  (your working too hard! the horse should carry you to the fence, you shouldn't have to push with your seat the entire time.. and you said you have a bold jumper so speed/momentum should be an issue (unless it is maybe?)

next, work on your two-point.  It looks like your off balance and leaning foreward a tad, remember in two point you hip and heels are still lined up, and you knee and toe should also be aligned  work on this on the flat at the walk first, then the trot and finally canter.. when jumping your only job is to set your horse right (aka get him to the fence) and keep out of his way.. you needn't move yourself really, you just have to keep with his motion.  I would go back to cantering cross rails and accustom yourself to not working so hard, and just following the movement.    Remember horses jump OVER not UP..

and finally, lower your stirrups a hole or two (your only jumping 2'3, not grad prix! [= ) point your toes more foreward, and bring your shoulders back..

you and your horse make a good pair, both very talented.. and once you get everything together you'll be kicking butt in the showring!

all in all, you have a good begining, now its just a matter or fine tuning!

good luck!

Also, some people wear vests whenever they are on horseback due to the inherent risks.. though many never bother while in a ring

Answer 7

Honest assessment:

1.  You truly ought to drop some weight.  Carrying extra pounds makes you appear to be a sloppy rider.   Even a hunt coat won't cover that.  There is nothing more beautiful than a  hunter over a fence with a blended profile of a clean jump.   You don't have that.  A slender, beautiful rider can make even an average hunter look like a dream.   You have a way to go.

2.  The horse appears strung out.  I think it may be in part because he has more of your weight to balance than he would if you lost some...(I'm not trying to be rude... just truthful...)

3.  You move your legs and arms too much, and you'll need a coach to work on each of those first on the flat, then over fences.  There is too much movement both in your legs as well as your arms.  And it is difficult to master the two together... so get some help at the trot and canter, both leads, then try it over lower fences.  No one ever gets enough practice.  

You do not appear comfortable with this horse... that is, it appears you and he don't really know each other well, and have not been a team for very long.

Like I said, I am not trying to be rude.  But it is painful as a judge to see possibilities in a pair, and then not be able to use them in the line up.  "Possibilities" don't get you a blue ribbon... hard work with a competent trainer does.... more work on the flat, sweetie, more concentration with your body position.  You are a long way away from that pretty profile over a fence.  (And we have all been there, I promise.)