So other than me looking way off to the side....?

Question

Critique?

http://www.casualcreation.exposuremanager.com/p/3-4pm_sgmt/img_3617k26

this picture is just one of a few from our last competition. Most of them have me looking away towards the next fence. Bad habit. Does anyone know of a way I can teach Clippy (my horse) to pick his feet up better? He can be very lethargic. You can tell in some of these pictures that he's barely scraping the top pole.

Answer 1

What a cute horse!  There's a very nice photo of him in there where his legs are up quite nicely.  I imagine part of the problem is your form hindering his jumping.

Gymnastics - bounces and one-strides - will help his form, but you have to work on yours also.  Ride without stirrups.  When I was riding jumpers alot, I put my horse through gymnastics once a week, and when I was training I put my students through gymnastics in every lesson.  I also rode without stirrups every day.

And looking to your next jump is not a bad habit.  It's a very hard habit for many people to get into.

Answer 2

Very Cute pony! Looking to the next fence is not a fault or bad habit. I wish I did it better. I didnt look at all the pick but it looks like you need to sink into your heel a little more and in some is seems like you are jumping ahead (not all though). As for him lifting his feet. Set up some qymnastics (basic ones at first) and ride him through it. When thay are set right they well help him place his feet and round over the fences. I only do them occasionally and it made Jazz have a really nice paralled tuck. You can also take away your stirrups, reins and close your eyes when you ride through them. It will show you the faults in your position and make it stronger.

Answer 3

your legs need to back further and you need to get your heel down and get your shoulders back and shorten your reins. get your elbows in. and in some pics you look like your too far out over the pommel.

sorry if i sound mean lol you asked for crutique = )

and you can do a bounce exersize to try to get his fet up higher.

Answer 4

Since when is looking to your next fence a bad habit?