Jumping worries!

[Emma_G_NZ]

Hi-
I have been riding for awhile now and decided that i would like to try out a jump with my pony again.The trouble is-Last time i jumped I almost fell off because i lost my stirrup and i think I was left behind because i thought it felt like a buck.Does every jump feel like this or was it just because I was left behind?Please let me know-I am too scared to jump again-but i want to-So i need to know if it was my position which must have been wrong and the way to correct it.please let me know.
Regards-
Emma :)

[horsy]

It was probably just your position. U should lean forward over the jump, with your bum out of the saddle, but not too far. If the jump is unexpected, say if they refuse, and then jump at the last minute, u do get left behind, and it can hurt your neck (talking from past experience!). But overall, jumping should be fun. Relax, and take it step by step, and you should be fine.

[TS]

I've had my fair share of problems with jumping - all I would now say is persevere! it's worth it in the end, and no it won't feel like bucking it should be smooth and comfortable when you are 'with' the horse - it does sound like you got left behind, I have been behind, in front of and nearly everywhere when jumping! keep going it's great in the end!!

Good luck

[Jo]

Hi

Take your time and jump when you feel confident. A horse must be going well on the flat if he is to jump well and you will know when it feels right to jump. If the horse isn't listening to you it won't jump well and could refuse or cat leap because it is inattentive or plodding. Make sure you horse is going forward and, as you approach to jump, fold down so that your chest comes down to meet the horse's withers or thereabouts. As you do this, you should be hovering over the saddle rather than standing in your stirrups or sitting on the saddle. This way, if the horse refuses you have the power of you thighs to stop you going over his head and if he jumps huge you are in a secure position to stay on board!

My instructor often asks me to stand up when walking and trotting and then to go into a jump position for a couple of minutes as the horse is trotting round the school. This helps establish the position and improves your balance.

[olympicprincess]

Try going back over ground poles and build your confidence. Also work on your jumping position over them.

I strongly suggest an instructor to work you through it. They will catch your every move and correct you immediately.

There is NO HURRY to jump big jumps. It drives me crazy when people think the answer to their jumping problems are to raise the jump. People like that will not succeed this way. They are only passing learning the basics and in the long run will end up riding below people who took the time. Each horse and rider needs a different amount of time.

Never jump without confidence. I have seen upper level event riders pull up on course because they knew it just wasn't their day. Rather than risking injury to them or their horse, they'll try again another day.

You could also try having an ego booster there while you ride. My parents, who don't ride, came out with me when I started jumping after an injury from jumping. Even though I knew they didn't know if I was riding correctly, just hearing "you're looking good!" made me feel better/more confident.

Good Luck!