Jumping video -critique please

[Danehill]

Hi everyone!

This summer, it will be my first season in provincial competition. I'll do hunter and jumper, at 3'6". 15 days left before the first show... I'm in a hurry to be there!

This video was filmed in january, and it was one of the first time that I jumped that high with my new horse. I really think that he's going to be a great hunter (he is 5 yo). He jumps better at 4' than 3', because he does not have to work a lot at 3', because he is quite tall.

So if you have critiques about me, or about my horse, don't hesitate!
http://www.clipshack.com/Clip.aspx?key=315C2AED685CE3F0

[Ali_fewins]

lovely horsie!! :wub:

but it looks like its on its forehand and a tad unbalanced still, but some horses prefer to go like that! Have you tired collecting it up? and getting his hocks right under him?
you rode him well! :)

[PePpAcOrN]

You and that horse make it look way too easy! No critique here. Just admiration and the nice steady pace and flowing jumps.

[ponysales]

Hi everyone!

This summer, it will be my first season in provincial competition. I'll do hunter and jumper, at 3'6". 15 days left before the first show... I'm in a hurry to be there!

This video was filmed in january, and it was one of the first time that I jumped that high with my new horse. I really think that he's going to be a great hunter (he is 5 yo). He jumps better at 4' than 3', because he does not have to work a lot at 3', because he is quite tall.

So if you have critiques about me, or about my horse, don't hesitate!
http://www.clipshack.com/Clip.aspx?key=315C2AED685CE3F0
Your horse looks very tolerant, but might soon lose his patience after awhile. Your stirrups look too long. Your first fence approach shows how your leg is in front of the girth. I think it was your second fence, where your leg slipped back. This is lending you no support in your irons where you really need it. Leading to getting left behind, not being able to allow your horse freedom in-air, or at times when you need to help him over the jumps, etc. Your stirrup iron whe jumping should be just at, or just below your ankle, when your leg is out of the stirrup. Depending in the conformation of the rider and barrel of the horse.

[horsecrazychick]

I'm no expert here, but it looks to me like you're getting a little left behind right on the landing. Over the jump your release looks good, but right when your horse is landing you kind of fall back, stand in your stirrups, and you can see your hands jerking back(although it looks like not enough that you're actually yanking your horse in the mouth, so that's good) Watch the video again and see if you can see what I mean. I think it would help if you fold your hips more and try to hold your jumping position a stride or two after the fence, THEN ease back in to your saddle.(if you find that its a habit to sit back fast like you do on the landing, maybe try riding downhill in your jumping position until you feel secure like that, and when you get used to that feeling try to do the same thing in your jumping.)
Again, I'm no expert, that's just my opinion. Good luck, you're doing good! =)

[RaThEr_Be_RiDiN]

i havent got time to do a full critique (and sorry if this has already been mentioned) but the main thing that is standing out to me is on landing you seem to be bringing your hands too far back and jerking on your horses mouth slightly (you will be amazed the amount of people that do this). just alittle pointer :) btw for a 5yo your horse seems to be going fairly well

[millie n pride]

Those jumps are big! lol too scary for me :o

[*Solo's Mum*]

wow i thought i achieved something when me and my boy jumped 3 foot the other day, you look really good, i dont think i have any critiques

well done

xjesxsolox

[Cool Rider]

Fantastic horse and great video
No critique because I don't know how to :)

[joey_olop]

Lovely horse-you are riding very well, well done! :)

[Laura+Phantom]

Yikes they're big jumps!

I noticed you getting left behind as well, and your stirrup length, so ditto what ponysales, horsecrazychick and RaThEr_Be_RiDiN posted.

Good luck for the future :)

[Styric]

but it looks like its on its forehand and a tad unbalanced still, but some horses prefer to go like that! Have you tired collecting it up? and getting his hocks right under him?

I agree with that. He looks slightly strung out and unbalanced. It could be just you two not used to each other, though you really need to work at getting him using himself properly and getting his body under him or he'll start having poles down in the upper heights. This can also be aggravated by the stirrups and being left behind, both discourage them from really putting some effort into it.

On the other hand, I can't jump that high and my riding is atrocious! So I suppose those who live in glass houses..

[Sky's The Limit]

Hi Danehill,
My PC is too slow to download the clip just now but will try to later :)
Good luck!

[loser88]

Your horse looks totally unbalanced and like he's slogging uphill so you need to collect him and those jumps are no way 4ft by the way. You also need to sort out your position so you can go wiht your horse and not jab him in the mouth and get left behind. Looks like he could be a good jumper though.

[kyanya]

I was also going to mention the quality of the canter. It's not the best - the hocks could be coming much firther underneath him and giving him a lot more power. But I think the important thing is that you're getting over the jumps. But if you want to go higher, there's plenty of more power to be gained, it's just a question of engaging the hindquarters and you'll be pinging even bigger jumps :)

[Emilie*]

Your horse appears to be very much on forehand, and like someone else said very unbalanced in the canter. I would definatly recommend shortening your reins, because it looks like you're catching him in the mouth over the fences. Try grabbing a handful of mane to keep your hands lower and together. Also, I would shorten your stirrups, they are giving you no base of support and your leg needs to stay underneath you with your weight down through your heel. To be honest, I think you're a great rider and you have a great horse under you, but I would really stick to smaller jumps until you can sort out your position and learning to stay with your horse. I think once you shorten your stirrups and reins a bit, keeping your hands lower and together over your fence, things should come together nicely. Maybe work over smaller fences, and grids and stuff to make your position more solid and also alot of flat work to work out the unbalanced issue. Great video! :)

[Aphrodite]

Hi.

Ditto with the mouth thing. Either try to give more with your hands or stay forward for slightly longer. Having your leg further forward on the girth will help you feel more secure when remaining in a forward seat on landing. :)

Well done so far though. You have a lovely horse and he seems to be enjoying what he's doing. As someone else has said try him with the little one's first. I know he jumps better over the bigger ones but if you get everything fine tuned in the little ones the big boogers will be a doddle! Good luck.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

I think what really will help you and your horse succed is working on the flat. he is getting over the jumps, you are getting him to his spots but the flat work in between the fences isn't there. Like some others said you do seem to grab him on the landing a little bit almost, my computer is horrible and its hard for me to see clearly. my computer happend to pause right at take off on one fence and it showed you jumping ahead a tad and standing, i think shortening your stirrups with help that a bit.

those turns just dont make the cource look very smooth easy and effortless which is very important in the hunter ring. the hieght is also an awful lot for a 5yr old...
wont get into that though, but it does seem as though flat was not paid enough attention too and he was more pushed toward jumping. If the flat is there and he is just getting exited about the jumping maybe its time to lower the fences and do some serious schooling to smooth out your turns.

you have done a good cource though, your jumps were pretty good. the horse loves his job.

[griffytayherb]

very nice that look soooo fun. your horse is wonderful.

[HorseManiac]

very nice. dont you think this is quite much for a 5yo? he looks tolerant but I wont be surprised if he puts in nasty stops soon.
Basic rule: Flatwork before jumping.
Also its not how high you can jump makes you a better ride its the quialty.
Try on you schooling and transition, working properly and not just going over 4ft jumps.

Annelix

[Equine_student]

you are a good quiet rider, all i can say is your lines to the jump.
The last few strides, the jump and get away is good but between the fences you both seem a bit unballance and so they dont seem very smooth turns. It will come in time but i think its important with what you want to do.

[charlotte+jill!]

I have to echo lynz and horsemaniac here

I have a 5 yr old also and his canter isnt the best, turns are bit unbalanced etc... and hes only jumping max 2'9-3'0 at the moment because I feel that if I asked anymore it would all go abit pear shaped and at a young age you dont want that.

I was also thinking as watching that is that suppose to be a lesson......... cos if that was my lesson my instructor would be instructing and shouting something to me all the time...... as i went round the little course.... like sit up collect a bit, push on etc.... just an obsvation

[cocoshandyholly]

how big is your horse?? just wondered.
looks gd for a 5 yr old

[Danehill]

Danehill is 16hh3