This is how bad it is!

[Sophini]

Ok, i hope the link here works....

http://www.quantumphotographic.co.uk/2005/514_joydens_rc/class_06/514-06-222.htm

The picture is of me over the first jump at the show i was at last Sunday and illustrates quite why i am SO angry with my riding. :mad: Where the hell is my lower leg going? And could my toes turn out ANY further? And i am both in front of the movement, off centre and looking down :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

At least Kitty's given it some height but she looks pretty unhappy, her front legs are messy and I've let her get in too deep :mad: In fact she look smore like a champion hurdler then an event horse!!!! :rolleyes:

Definitely need to go back to the basics me thinks :)

[cvb]

Sophini

I'm another "wings for feet" person. I also at one stage flicked my lower leg back to a scary degree.

Are you after comments and exercises to help or did you just need to vent and need sympathy ?

For me, the key is about lower leg stability. It can't go back or out if its stable.....

[Sophini]

Think it was partly a bit of a rant at myself but also any tips GREATLY appreciated.

I know my lower leg isn't as stable as it could be but despite working without stirrups at home all the time i still tend to grip with my knees.....any ideas?

[Mehitabel]

keep your stirrups and start working stood up in them - not fdorward in jumping position, but see if you can walk, trot and canter stood up as if you were in the rise of rising trot.

[Big Ears]

ok not wonderful but you are out there trying so don't be so hard on yourself.

also she did give it a lot of height and looked like she came up almost vertical rather than across the jump, so you may have been unbalanced.

can't give you any tips but looks like you are throwing yourself over the jump a bit and need to be less extravagant.

liked the coloured cob though in the later photoso.

[horsemad]

You look at that photo and you see faults....I look at that photo and think 'wow, you must be good to jump that size' :) I can just about manage a teeny crosspole. In trot :D :o

[cvb]

Think it was partly a bit of a rant at myself but also any tips GREATLY appreciated.

I know my lower leg isn't as stable as it could be but despite working without stirrups at home all the time i still tend to grip with my knees.....any ideas?

maybe its the stirrupless work that is leading to the gripping ?? I would echo Mehitabel's advice. Also Wellington used to get us riding really short (almost like jockeys :eek: ) and doing canter circles in jumping position (and in balance) to help with strength and position. But don't over-do this !

I also like rising canter as an exercise. Or if you're doing work without stirrups, do some legs away or legs up to pommel work in there as well...

[Sophini]

I guess she is a bit of a stop and leap horse (DavidH saw her XC schooling and knows she will jump from a standstill) but i need to learn to sit quietly and ride forwards and she should get over that....i hope!!!

Will practice standing in my stirrups lots (really will be like a hurdler!), thanks Metihabel. :)

Horsemad it's quite deceiving, that fence is actually only 2ft9, she just seems to think it's a lot bigger :rolleyes:

[shaka]

I second what CVB said, riding without stirrups tends to encourage you to grip, especially if your horse is springy. Riding in shorter stirrups will help your balance a lot.
Part of the reason your leg slips back is because it isn't supporting your body. Try some small and simple gridwork, riding into and through the grid in a half seat and trying not to alter your position, holding onto the mane as you ride over the fences. Get used to supporting your body over your legs. When you jump think of folding from the hips, pushing your bottom to the back of the saddle and relax your hands so that she can reach down and take the contact as she needs it.
Think of yourself in a box with your saddle, when you jump your body has to stay within the box which goes up to the wither. You won't be able to keep yourself that far back because then you'll be to far back, but it will give you the idea of pushing your backend out and not going up her neck.

Don't be to hard on yourself, Kitty looks like a lovely horse who has taken you over the fence well. It's fantastic you can look at yourself and pick out what you need to improve. If you feel you need to go back to basics then please keep us updated with how everything goes. Best of luck :)

[casey]

I have been taught to stay slightly behind the movement. I mean a tenth of a second behind, not enough so anyone could see. But just so you say "you go 1st and i'll come with you".
Also, when you have your stride sorted out. point your heel towards the jump. It keeps your lower leg forward. :)

[Sophini]

Thanks guys. i will try out lots of suggestions - and then try and remember them through the nerves when i actually get to an event!!! :rolleyes:

I know my main problem with timing is that i failed my first attempt at Pony club B test for being slightly behind the movement and it has been preying on my mind ever since!!! :D

[NoviceNic]

Don't beat yourself up about it. See it as a positive that you can see where you are going wrong. Then start working on these areas. :)

[Bay Mare]

Why not try some grid work? It will help both you and your horse. You won't be able to lean so far forward or you will end up on your nose and it may help your horse to be more athletic in his jump.

Why not ask your instructor to work you over smaller jumps and trot poles but concentrate on your position? You can even work on your position (going from 3-point to light seat to 2-point) on the flat. It's often worth going back to basics to get the more advanced stuff better.

In the meantime I would lose the spurs until you have your leg position sorted out (ducks and runs ....).

Good luck, it will take a bit of work to re-educate your body but it DOES work (I know, been there, got the t-shirt and bought the factory). I'm not perfect but my jump position is MUCH better than it once was.

[mazda]

You look better than me jumping anyday :o