XC photo - what do you all think?

[thaxted]

Hi there

Did my first XC on Sam last week - we only did the 2'3" class as I wanted it to be a confidence buider for us. He went clear (apart from some time penalties as he was a bit too fast).

Anyway - here is a photo - let me know what you think of us, e.g my position, Sam's shape etc.

Thaxted

[casey]

Lovely photo. You both look fab. :cool: :)

[SarahJay]

Great piccie! :)

You look really good together! :D

[horseyrose]

Great pic, I like your horse!

[MeMe]

Nice pic :D

[kedwards]

Great shot! Sam is really cute and you look very well balanced on him. I love your lower leg!

[thaxted]

Thanks for all the positive comments,

Kedwards - why do you love my lower leg? Is it in the correct place - I wondered if it looked as though my stirrups were too long. I probably would shorten then a bit for bigger fences. Sam is so safe to jump that it's hard to be out of balance even if he takes a huge jump over something. I was jumping 1m fences this week and felt just as safe and secure as I did over these 70cm ones.

[kedwards]

The picture is very small, but from what I can see, it looks like your lower leg is under you and your weight is deep in your heel.

[charismabird]

Yes, your lower leg is beneath you, but (from the tiny photo on my screen) I think you look like you've been left a bit behind the movement and are using your reins to balance yourself. You are very upright in your jumping position (especially for x-country) and don't really seem to be giving the horse his head - maybe catching him in the mouth? But hey, that's just my opinion - a bigger photo might have helped.