Ahh!

[gidget_love]

First off, i wanted to thank everyone on helping me with my sitting trot and canter seat. The article was VERY effective, and i didnt bounce at all, although my trainer noticed it and didnt mention it at all to me, or give me any praise:rolleyes:
anyways, what seems to be the problem now, is folding over the jumps. i dont know exactly how to get them to close the hip angle, and we are doing bigger jumps now (which i cant change, i have to do what my lesson does or do nothing at all, shes pregnant and cant bend down to change it anymore).
so when i was sitting, i couldnt seem to get myself out of the saddle to get into twopoint, and got left behind almost every jump, or couldnt hold myself over the jump in my 2 point position...
any help?

[PonyGirlAsh]

Hmmm...well I can offer you some advice, although I'm sure there are a lot more people on here that know better than me (if you look at my jumping photos that I've posted in the past, you'll know why! :D). First of all, I think it's highly unfair that your RI is not at least enlisting some stable kid to help put down the jumps for those who are not yet ready for the bigger ones. Let me tell you from experience, if you start jumping higher jumps than you are really prepared for, it can shatter your confidence! That happened to me and I had to take a 6 month break from jumping. I know it's hard to do, but if you like and trust your RI enough, I would have a little chat with her (IF you are feeling uncomfortable with the jumps that is) and let her know that you would really appreciate it if someone could lower the jumps for you, or if you could jump some different ones than everyone else.

As far as getting the two point...what I have been told when I've flopped around on my horse while jumping, is to get the two point a couple strides before the jump (while keeping the horse going of course!) and grab some mane. Some people don't like you doing the whole grab mane thing, so check with your RI first or you might get screamed at. But it really does help you to stay in the two point position and not catch your horse in the mouth. Gradually you can go back to getting the two point just over the jump instead of way before, but at least this gets you used to where you need to be. :)

Hope that helps a little!

[jumper-4-joy]

Yes, I agree with ponygirlash. Go ahead and grab the mane!! It does not hurt the horse at all, and it is much better than catching the horse in the mouth. Instead of getting into full 2-point though, I would just get into half seat (galloping seat) (which is 2-point but not as far forward) because then if the horse decided to refuse you would not go over his neck!