Not going forward enough on bigger jumps

[marchhare2002]

Hello,

I have just started having riding lessons again after a 2 year gap and I am finding, funnily enough, that I am coming up against exactly the same problems that I always used to have when riding before.

My main problem is that although over tiny jumps - up to about 2ft 6inches, I have a good position over jumps and always feel like I go with the horse, when I jump a bit higher, it's as if I stick with the jumping position I know and don't go any further forward than for a smaller jump and I then get left behind the movement. It's as though I've learnt what my jumping position should be and can't seem to vary it to suit the height of the jump.

How can I work on this? It's one of the reasons I gave up riding lessons before as I felt I was holding the group back as I was always in danger of coming unstuck over larger jumps.

Please help!

Emma

[kedwards]

I doubt that the problem is one of not being "forward" enough. The forward upper body doesn't keep you from bumping back in the saddle, it just counterbalances your seat (which is farther back) and helps with your release.

Without seeing you, I can't guess what might be happening, but here are some things to check:

1) Check that your stirrups are short enough. Over small jumps, you can get away with quite long stirrups, but they will become more of a hindrance as the jump height goes up it becomes necessary to fold more.
2.) Check that you aren't anticipating and jumping ahead of the horse. If you move your weight forward too early, you could be falling back as the horse brings his hind legs up to clear the fence.
3.) Check that your aren't letting your leg slip back. Think about keeping your weight down into the heels and your bum well back.

[teapot]

I was told that once you have mastered your jumping position, the height of the fence should not be an issue.

Get your stirrups up so that there is a marked difference between your flat and jump length.

Make sure also that the horse has a nice forward but not rushed canter as otherwise if the horse is putting in and taking out strides, you will feel like you're being left behind or whatever.