Rider critique please! Show soon!?

Question

I have brand new videos of me jumping! I have a horse show this weekend and I'm jumping cross rail courses. I would really like to have the best position possible, so any pointers and tips would be really helpful!

Here are the links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzfUJkmNBRM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_7_f07k6G4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt0bSEiSVZk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTEwJmoxWYs

Answer 1

You need to release.

Your hands don't move at all over the fence in ANY of the videos.

So try to give more of a release so you don't catch your horse in the mouth. Just a little bit since they're not very big jumps.

Other than that the jumps are kind of small so it's hard to critique, but it looks good.

Good luck with your show! Your horse is adorable.

Answer 2

Make sure though to keep your body relaxed, especially your elbows. Really think of how you feel to the horse. It seemed like you were a little perched so try to "sink" into the horse a bit, and heels down and toes forward, not out. Keep your shoulder back too, but good job! Good luck! Have a good show!

Answer 3

you seems pretty god just remember heels down eyes up, and you'll place for sure!

Answer 4

Well, you really can't tell from the first 3. They are too far away.

The last one with the last jump you can tell.

1. You kind of fell on the horses neck. When jumping hold a position and let the horse come to you.

2. Hands UP!

~Sunshine

Answer 5

That was pretty good. Remember to release when you jump, your hands aren't moving and you don't want to catch your horse in the mouth. Don't tip forward when you are approaching the jump. Try to let your elbows bend a little, in the pic of you cantering, your elbows looked a little stiff and straight

Answer 6

you stand up to much in your stirrups with a straaiter leg, which causes you to hunch a bit over the jump, shorten you stirrups a hole or two, and get your but out of the saddle when you 2 point over the jump, good luck!

Answer 7

through all of your videos you've posted i always want to see your shoulders farther back, you need to remember to lift your shoulders and head up and back EVEN IN HUNTERS!  (sorry, you always get the "but i'm riding hunters")

Remember, heels and hips lines up, toes and knees lined up, and your shoulders JUST infront of you hip, not as much as you have now..

You might also want to see about getting your horse more off the forehand and with a higher head carrige, and working on a slower controlled canter (now it looks like shes just jumping the jumps like she knows how to do, and your just along for the ride.. I'd like to see you ride, not just hang on)

Otherwise you look very nice, and i'm sure you'll do well at the show!Good Luck!

EDIT:  o yay! a thumbs down for a real critique!  THANKS! [=

Answer 8

You need to bring your elbows back/bend them. and your shoulders need to go back. You have a good leg though, But you need to lift your horse up by bringing your hands up. Otherwise hes pulling on you and your falling down onto his neck.

good luck!!

Answer 9

your position:i would like to see your heels further down and your thumbs up and sitting back a little more for a eq class but if your jumping then u can stay up out of your tack a little bit.

your jumping:release! your hands are staying in the same place the whole time(it can be a good thing depending on wht ur trainer wants) but my trainer made us release ALOT so your horse can jump better more in a hunter stlye and make sure to get out of the tack. my trainer has us "pose" b4 the jump( cuz theres a photographer there) and just so our horses can move up over the jump.

but overall FANTASTIC job!!! i am sure you will do well and good luck :)

Answer 10

hands up! heels down and release