Lower leg when jumping

[LORRI]

I've always told myself when watching grand prix riders leg slip right back that I will always be aware of my leg position. Well after a long summer, with IMO TOO much work I riding seems to be getting worse and worse.

At the moment I am riding 4 times a week alone and riding in a group lesson once a week. It is the most advanced lesson the riding school have and I would ride the more "difficult" of horses so I don't loose interest. My manager teaches it and I really just took it up because I wanted her keeping an eye on my riding but because of the others in the group she doesn't like to point out very specific things that the group may not understand.

I am mostly concerned about my leg position over a jump, I can concentrate on it over a single fence but around a course it will jump slip right back, I only released this when I had a picture taken at a small show. It was only a small course and my position is shocking!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

HELP!!! Any suggestions, its really bothering me and Im thinking about it so much coming to a jump that Im not concentrating on getting my stride.

Would baling twine work??? :confused:

This was one of the pictures taken. I think I look a little ahead of the horse in the picture but I think it was the angle it was taken more then anything as I dont usually have that problem. What do you think?

ETA: Just to say I ride alot of different horses so I dont have my own horse to work on this with and the days I ride alone it is usually on the flat just to exercise the horses, mostly showjumpers.

[Bay Mare]

From the piccie (not an ideal angle) it looks like you're throwing yourself up the neck a bit. Try and think about pushing your butt back towards the cantle and keeping your weight into your heels. Doing that will also allow you to release with your hands better.

Practise it on the flat and over poles so that it becomes part of muscle memory and will become second nature to you :)

[LORRI]

Thanks for the reply. Its funny because every time I had a lesson in the summer with my trainer who I groom for we'd start every lesson with jumping position over trotting poles and he would always comment on how secure and correct my position was, do you think I've jus lost it because of the lack of lessons or I can't hold the position over the jump?

[China515]

I wouldn't use bailing twine, that is quick fix and you will become dependent on it. If I were you, I would really work on two point position while warming up. I would try transitions in your two point and work on extending and collecting. When you are in your two point, try taking your knee and thigh off the saddle so that just your calf is engaged. Try posting like this. Really work on strengthening your calf. In front of a fence really close your calf on the horse and sink your weight into your stirrups. Squeeze your legs over the fence.

Also, the pic was taken when you were taking off, i would be interested in seeing what you look like when you are further over the fence. Hope this helps!

[Nik-n-Kia]

Sometimes my lower leg slips back but I've been told that this is a nono and I have managed to get it under control.

Here is a piccy of me and Kia jumping and look at my leg its a mess :rolleyes:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p120/Nik-n-Kia/kairone2-1.jpg

Here is a vid of us not that long agao only two jumps but you can see how much better it looks.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p120/Nik-n-Kia/th_jumping2.jpg (http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p120/Nik-n-Kia/?action=view&current=jumping2.flv)

Feel free to critique as we're only getting better!!!!

Nikki xxxxx

[baythoroughbred]

It's really hard to tell from the angle of the pic, but since you say your position is good on the flat and over trotting poles, do you think once you are going over the jump, you are gripping with your knees which would cause your leg to slip back.

I have the same problem with gripping with my knees and it caused me to pop off twice on Sunday. (I also tend to look down)

So yesterday I worked on small jumps at a trot for an hour just working on keeping my head up and my knees off. Doing it at the trot will take your mind off of getting your stride and you can just work on your position.

Good luck, let us know how you progress.

[LORRI]

Thanks for the replies!! :D I'll be heading up to the yard today for my lesson @ 8pm ,so il let you know how it goes if we have a jumping lesson.

Had someone stand beside a big crosspole w/trotting pole at the weekend and tell me each time I went over it how my leg was! :D Everyone seemed very amused as to what I was doing and 3 others joined in on their lot!!! My RI came out to see whatb I was up to as I was exercising one of the showjumpers for her and she said there was an improvement and it was a little harder on the horse I was riding as he jumps, as she says "properly" through his hocks so I was a little happier.

baythoroughbred - maybe it is that I'm gripping with my knee, will def put your advice into practise :)

China515 - When riding on the flat I am now trying to strenghten my calves and get off the rest of my leg completely, never really comes to mind to squeeze over the fence as im always caught up in something else, will try this, already sounds like it would make sense to maintain the position!!! :D

Any other suggestions???? I'll try anything, its driving me nuts!!!

I'll try get more piccies for you to critique before the end of the week!!!

[DITZ]

i know someone that was recommended to use bailer twine (well actually it was spur straps) and i see no reason why it wouldnt be worth a try (the person who recommended it is a BE acredited trainer so would imagine knows her stuff). At least it'll give you an idea of what you're aiming for. My friend said it worked excpect it meant that she couldnt push her foot forwards and as such had trouble slowing her horse down.