Me and Happy do something un-heard of :-) *pics*

[hApPiNeSs]

We jumped!!! I would appreciate any help you can give me on how to improve my lower leg, as it is very very dodgy at the moment! :o

At first, Happy thinks jumps are scary and i nearly go over the handlebars a few times. I will only post one picture of this as the others are too embarrassing :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/happy_the_horse/refusal.jpg

Then - we get lift off!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/happy_the_horse/316f8bf7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/happy_the_horse/245f878e.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/happy_the_horse/jump3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/happy_the_horse/jump4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/happy_the_horse/jump5.jpg

Having a canter. ARMCHAIR SEAT, ARMCHAIR SEAT

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/happy_the_horse/canter.jpg

Couldnt resist putting this picture here too, because she looks so sweet

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/happy_the_horse/dafedb26.jpg

[elise]

I would try maybe dropping your stirrups a hole or two. It looks like you are unable to get a good grip with your upper legs because you're too far over the saddle.

We did this thing in class where we started with dressage length stirrups and did some posting then did some two point trotting. Then we moved to super way too short stirrups and did the same thing. After that we put them where they should be and you could really feel the difference as far as where the stirrups need to be to get the best grip.

Another one is to stand all the way up, push your chest out, you should be over the pommel. When you're able to stand up like that, slowly bend down only from the knees and you should be able to find a good spot for your jump position.

And of course all this works great in theory, in practice, it's a whole 'nother ball of wax. ;)

And frankly, with short stirrups like that, I don't think you could have had anything other than a chair seat in a seated canter :>

Oo canter in two point is another good way to find where you need to put your stirrups to keep your balance.

:>

[Shadowlark]

totally pointless.. but

You and Happy are disgustingly cute!

I look foward to opening your posts everytime because I KNOW it will be about a happy young lady and a "happy" little pony!

[C.J_Sox]

How cute!! bless! :D
-x-

[joosie]

I'm with Shadowlark! In your pics you and Happy look exactly that, and she is verrrrry cute! My friend and I used to mess around in the Poldice Valley with her two scruffy New Forests, other riders turned up their noses at us but we didn't care because we always had fun!

[Hanamoon]

He's so sweet! I also like how he looks like he has a little shelf in his stall with an alarm clock and some air freshener ;) Busy pony!

[hApPiNeSs]

thanks for all the comments guys. And thanks elise for the advice - i will try lengthening my leathers a hole or two. I just feel safer when their shorter, as Happy tends to overjump a bit sometimes :)

Hanamoon - Happy is very efficient, she cleans her stable all by herself you know ;)

[notpoodle]

hehe in that last picture i thought you were contemplating jumping the GATE for a second :D

well done you and happy :)

i cant believe how much like angel her facial expression is! this 'yes there may be someone on board but leave it to me, im a professional' look :D

Julia
x

[nikkiandsharief]

aawww great piccies!! hopefully i'll be able to post some piccies this summer of me and sharief jumping?? :o

[nikkiandsharief]

with the legs! i have that problem when i don't jump all the time so when i eventually pluck the courage up to jump sharief then my legs will prob be wrapped around my bum :D but what i use to do and still do is when in walk try and stand up without help from your reins, pommel etc etc you should be able to walk, trot standing up and not tipping forward and collasping in a heap if your legs are in the right position!
also i'm not saying that you were - but alot of the kids i teach go like that when their a wee bit nervous as well - hence i do when i've not been jumping . But i think you look great anyway and you's are both happy!! :D

[neen]

She's just adorable! I love the H-U-G-E L-E-A-P over the tiny pole! Looks like you're both having fun.

[kirstie]

Great piccies thought you were going to jump the gat in the second last picture but you were only cantering :D

[hApPiNeSs]

I wouldn't put it past her actually :eek: :D

[mu0ljk]

You look like you are having great fun! Just remember not to hold you breath as you approach the jump - keep breathing!

And as everyone else has said - Happy is too cute!!! ;)