Some basic jumping tips

[Alice25]

Went for a group lesson at my riding school tonight; felt I needed a bit of a change from hacking out on my boy. All was going well, I was riding the lovely Ryan and was really enjoying myself. RI set up some (very small!) jumps. I told her I'd not really jumped much before; at first she was going to take me off Ryan, because he has a very 'upright' jump, but then decided I'd be ok, which I was happy with.

Now, I thought I was ok; I knew what I should look like over a jump, and what my body should be doing. But as we reached the jump, I suddenly realised that I didn't exactly know how to do it. Result: I literally threw myself forward onto his neck (poor Ryan :o).

So... for someone who's never really jumped before, what's the most important thing? To just relax and let your hands 'guide' you over? Or to lean forward and give lots of rein, just less...'enthusiasticly' than me?

[jumpjaky]

well raly untill your jumping about 2ft all you need to do is get off the horses center balance piont and giving them a bit of reign by sliding your hands down or hold the mane afew inches above where you would useually carry your hands. good luck!=] give us an update!

[Alice25]

Yep, I think the main problem was that my *cough* response was way over the top :o I was just so worried about yanking at his mouth (or, because he jumps so upright, falling off backwards!) I hope we jump next time now, so I can try and do it better... and not like we're going over a 5 foot fence!!

[vimto92]

If your jumping small you really won't need to fold too much; but my RI is determined for us to get our technique good therefore wants jumping position even on the small jumps.

You want to fold from your hips and push your bum to the back of the saddle, with a few inches clearance so when his bum comes up you don't get catapulted or unbalanced. You want your back parallel with the horses, and your lower leg secure around the horse. Its best to have heels down and DONT grip from your knee - resulting in greater lower leg stability, which I think is important really.

If the horse was took away from underneath you, would you still be balanced and on 2 feet, or topple forwards? You want the former.

Theres 2 type of release; crest and automatic. Crest is as named, where your hands and arms are up the horses mane therefore reducing chance of yanking them in the mouth as the reins go slack.

The automatic release is when your hold the reins and follow the horses mouth really, hands are usually placed either side of the neck and stay pretty close to your body, maintaing a good elastic contact, if the pressure increase loosen how tight your holding the reins so they can slip allowing the horse a pain free (;)) stretched movement over the fence. Another positive is, once you've landed, you're prepared for a good movement away from the fence, in total control.

Like I advised someone ele, put yourself in the horses position, if you got the contact thrown away over a fence and you are used to a contact, you are going to be pretty confused really - as the communication and connection between both horse and rider is lost (okay, leg and seat aids are still there but you get my drift) - you land with no contact, how are you supposed to know where your going? And do you want to be reprimanded for going in a direction other than the rider wanted you to because you weren't properly informed?

[Pink's lady]

Having jumped Ryan (assuming we're talking about Dryden) then it doesn't suprise me in the slightest - I still get pinged up his neck too! Horse jumps like a stag!

Most important rule number one - make sure you get Thistle!;) He's so so easy to jump. Failing that ask for Cheesy.

Jumping is definitnly not about leaning forwards - try to think of it as bum back, heels down, hands forwards.

You need to absord the movement through you're knees and arms, like cantering but not sitting on the horse. You will find you stretch going over the jump and collect back again as you land. If you sit ridgedly in 'jumping position' you get pinged off.


It's really just something that takes practise. And not on Ryan!

[Alice25]

Thanks vimto, that's some really good advice. I'm pretty sure from my last position, if the horse was taken away I'd be sprawled on the ground :o that's something to work on!

Pink's Lady, it was indeed Dryden Ryan - shame too, as I really enjoy riding him! Will have my fingers crossed for Thistle if we're jumping... and perhaps drop a couple of hints beforehand ;) I think you hit the nail on the head with stretching over the jump. One of the reasons I got jolted so much was because I was still clinging to his neck for dear life when we landed!!