How not to jump?

Question

For those of you like me who are bored and/or putting off a major presentation for school tomorrow, here are some pics from a schooling show that are pretty much terrifying.

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=003Q002Y000000&po=0

I was shocked at the ever apparent lack of basic skills, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure they are all just having a really really really bad riding day.

I'm not trying to bash anyone here, I was just appalled at how most of these riders seem to be suffering from some of the same major flaws: jumping ahead, lack of any kind of release, legs slipped way back, foot jammed way too far into the stirrup. Opinions anyone? Is this how people are really riding now or is this just an isolated event? Do ya'll think this is scary too, or am I just a perfectionist and dont like to see riders barely hanging on over the jumps?

Answer 1

I completely agree with just about everything you have to say about these pictures, but the one thing I really don't agree with is the fact that you put up a link to the pictures so other people could mock their riding or pick on them and critique them when, frankly, it's not really anyone's business. You don't know how their rounds went up to and after those pictures so who are you to judge them? I know one thing for sure I would hate for someone to rag on my pictures besides my trainer of jumps where I mess up a distance or have some other hanous jumping fault. Not every distance is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. Maybe it was the horse's fault, maybe they leaped it from a long spot or hopped it from a short spot. Also, you can't expect everyone to be perfect some people are good but just don't have that natural form. And a lot of those people were kids. Let's leave the critiqueing to the professionals!

Answer 2

Ouch. So...horrific...I almost started crying! Poor horses! My question of the day is...what kind of severe mental distress is their trainer going through where (s)he lets them jump? Those riders aren't even good enough to move from groundpoles to 6" jumps...so why are they jumping what appears to be 3'?! Shame on those riders and their "trainer" (using the term loosely). And the worst part is that it's not just basic jumping ability that they lack, but also common sense! I mean, even if you had never seen a horse before in your life, you would know not to pull the horse's head while jumping. I would be surprised if anyone even placed in that class... :(

Answer 3

oy.  that's all i can say...

and no, i don't think its just a bad day, the first 40 pictures or so all show the same problems, so I'd guess they all have the same HORRIBLE trainer.  those are all accidents waiting to happen...

so yes, its scary, no most people don't jump like this..

i hate it when you see this.. because tons of people are watching them, and no one is telling them that they're jumping quite dangerously.  And in my opinion, if they all can afford matching outfits for themselves and their horse, and buy nice boots and pads then they can afford lessons, so there is not accuse for this.

EDIT: serria, you do realize you don't make sense?  You go from flashing names and talking about "your mom a famous trainer", to talking about not having alot of money and how you train your horses yourself.  What does any of that matter?  I personally think that your QUITE immature and should go back to playing horse land or howrse and STOP making up stories.

Answer 4

Bored: Very!

Putting off stuff for school: Nope its summer vacation and I graduated!

wow... I got to picture 8 and I am hoping they were having a bad day(unfortunately not the case as far as I can see). Feet way to far in stirrups, one pic didn't even look like they went in 2-point, feet are everywhere!, and some are way ahead or behind(Just to mention a few). I know I'm not a perfect rider but I know what it is supposed to look like and not supposed to be.

Answer 5

kids start jumping way ahead of the game... they shouldn't be allowed to go over anything higher than a ground pole until their position is at least decent

Answer 6

The first picture wasn't too bad, just a little more release would be good...the others...gah....so I bet she got a little 'behind' in the first picture or whatever according to her position afterwards. I really hate it when I see pictures (even at RATED shows) of people jumping like this...where is their trainer? Wait...why is their trainer even a trainer? Unfortunately, a lot of people from what I see are jumping like this. Most of what I see is the 'crotch jump', 'no release', and 'laying on the horse' positions. The crotch jump is where they kind of stand so they are straight up and have their crotch and butt right over the pommel and the laying on the horse is them putting all their weight onto their horse's neck! When I crest release, I don't put ANY weight into my hands at all unless there is am emergancy...most then I grab mane. But that is just terrible! Trainers just want money so they let their kids jump into the game because all they want to do is jump..and get hurt apparently.