Jumping position while trotting?

Question

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to ask about how to assume jumping position while cantering - I have difficulty assuming jumping position while trotting (since I've just started to jump small jumps) so does anyone have any tips on how this is possible to do while cantering?

I've tried to jump once while cantering but fell off since it felt as if the horse was jerking very suddenly and rapidly over the jump and it went too fast for me. I would very much like to learn how to do jump well so if anyone could offer any advice I would be very grateful!

Best wishes, Sophie

Answer 1

This might be far out, but it does help ALOT!

Have you ever ridden bareback?  Do you feel comfortable trotting and maybe cantering?  if so, have an experienced person lung the horse (first trot) with you on her.  hold onto the mane slightly tilting forward in a half seat or three point.  When your comfortable try jumping small X rails.  Do this for awhile until your comfortable.  Then try this at the canter, but instead of Xrails, start with a ground pole.  If your not comfortable doing this bareback then a saddle is fine, just take off the reins and grab mane.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I think the thing that will help you the most with your jumping position is simply more miles in the saddle.  The more you practice jumping position, the more your muscles will develop and the more used to the motion you will get.  Just make sure you always try to grip evenly throughout your leg.  So many riders want to instictivly grip with their knees thinking that it will help them stay on.  In reality it only makes you more unstable and more likely to pivot forward or fall backwards.  Gripping evenly will not only help your balance but it will also help make sure your leg stays securely beneath you instead of popping out behind or in front of you.  

I hope this helps.  Remember, theres nothing wrong with grabbing some mane when you are first learning. Good luck!

Answer 3

Hi Sophie

Try riding without stirrups,or even bareback. Some of the worlds best jumpers say it changed their balance forever. There are several  combinations of points of contact you will use during jumping  with the horse, (like the "two point"), but if you are a bit insecure at a bumpy canter,balance first. Close your eyes ( for just a minute) and hear his hoof-beats, front and back. Front is easy, but the impulsion or thrust comes from behind. Once you feel that, nothing will shake you off! Learn your point transitions  at the walk,and ask yourelf every 5 minuites: how could I do that better?

Luck and be safe

Answer 4

I have one hint for you:read "Hunter Seat Equitation" and "George Morris teaches Beginners How to Ride", which are both written by George Morris, America's hunt seat and show jumping guru. George will teach you more about correct form over fences than anyone else I have ever heard of anywhere. The books will answer your questions about 2-point, about finding distances, about safety, and about how to hold your hands, body, reins, etc. If you aren't familiar with George, he is the current coach of the US Show Jumping Team that represents us internationally. He has been an active competitor for over 40 years, and he is legendary as coach and trainer. The list of his former students who have gone on to win medals in the Olympics and other places like it is HUGE. I would recommend this as required reading to ANYONE who wants to learn to jump and jump well. So read the books, and practice what you have read when you ride. Good luck.

Answer 5

The most important thing is to keep your weight in your heels.  I've had horses throw themselves over jumps and if my heels are down, it's fine, but if my heels come up i lose balance and fall forward.

Second...  I don't know if this is how it is for you, but personally, when i was learning to jump, i tried way too hard...  i had watched people jump 2 or 3 foot fences, so that's what I tried to look like...  I came way up out of the saddle and leaned way too far forward.  Now that I've been jumping for almost a year and can consistently canter 1 foot verticals, I've realized all of that was very unnecessary.  When I go to jump, my upper body naturally comes a little forward just because i'm used to 2-pointing like that.  so I really don't have to try very hard.  I can just stand up out of the saddle a little bit and that's enough.  I think that's important especially when you're learning, not to go too far forward...  I had a really hard time recovering from the jump when I would jump too far forward because it was really hard to pull my balance back.

that's not to say you should just stand straight up...  it's just that you probably don't need to work as hard as you think when you go to your 2-point.  make sure you keep your balance back and in your heels.  and as you approach the jump, keep an even rhythm...  don't let your horse speed up a few strides before the jump then make a big leap over the jump.  if your rhythm is nice and even before the jump, your horse shouldn't jerk over it.  if you're prepared for the jump with your balance down in your heals, you should be able to canter the jump.

try lunging your horse over the jump at a canter before you try cantering the jump again.  watch your horse to see how he reacts.  if he gets faster before the jump or makes a flying leap over it, you'll know what to expect when you go to jump.  just make sure to steady your horse a few strides before the jump, then stand a little out of the saddle and try to be still and let your horse take you over the jump.

good luck and have fun :o)