jumping position

3 day eventer · #1 30th Jun 2002, 04:00 PM

I can get my jumping position perfect on the flat but when i am in mid air or any part of the jump my position goes horribly wrong. i stand up in my stirrups mostly but please help!!!!!

#2 30th Jun 2002, 05:57 PM

I can't help but I'd just like to reasure you that you are not alone.
I have excactly the same problem. I think we're supposed to try and relax our legs more but I'm not really sure.

#3 30th Jun 2002, 06:02 PM

3 day Eventer

Crazy c

My jumping techie(sp) is very strange

Mehitabel · #4 30th Jun 2002, 07:40 PM

practice, practice, practice i'm afraid. jumping without stirrups will also help, as you can't stand up in them if you don't have them! if you practice your jumping position without stirrups on the flat as well, it'll murder your legs to start with but will do your security the world of good.

jUmPingIsLifE · #5 30th Jun 2002, 08:18 PM

i agree with es, a lot of no stirrup work, jumping position and NOT will help a lot.

kedwards · #6 30th Jun 2002, 11:02 PM

I totally agree with the advice to take your stirrups away. I do that whenever I find myself getting ahead of the motion or standing in my stirrups too much. Start with a little cavalletti or crossrail until you feel secure. You can try getting into the half-seat without stirrups on the ground, but it's actually much easier to do over the fence, because the horse's movement will just lift and fold you right into the correct position.

3 day eventer · #7 1st Jul 2002, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 3 day eventer
I can get my jumping position perfect on the flat but when i am in mid air or any part of the jump my position goes horribly wrong. i stand up in my stirrups mostly but please help!!!!!

Thanx 4 your help but i have done quite a bit of non stirrup jumping over large fences and found it a lot comfier but as soon as i get my stirrups back the trouble starts all over again!!!!

Mehitabel · #8 1st Jul 2002, 06:46 PM

that sounds like you're relying on your stirrups when you have them - do plenty of flatwork without them, and concentrate on the feel when it goes right. ask your instructor to tell you when it's right, and try to "fix" it in your mind what it feels like. then try to get that same feeling with your stirrups - much harder than it sounds! there's a huge temptation to rely on your stirrups when you have them. try doing exercises and slipping your feet in and out of the stirrups as you're doing them, while not losing your seat or the feeling of what you're doing.

3 day eventer · #9 1st Jul 2002, 07:18 PM

Thanx I will try that.

muzzy · #10 1st Jul 2002, 07:52 PM

The problem I have jumping is I have quite a good position on the flat to, but I always get left behind going over the fence, which makes me loose my balance and then I fall foward...any tips??

Mehitabel · #11 1st Jul 2002, 07:58 PM

get on a reliable horse who won't refuse, and approach in your jumping position, holding onto the mane about halfway up the neck. then you're already forwards and your hands will go with the neck so you won't be left behind. also practice counting strides into the jump, to develop your feel of where the horse is going to take off.

kedwards · #12 1st Jul 2002, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Thanx 4 your help but i have done quite a bit of non stirrup jumping over large fences and found it a lot comfier but as soon as i get my stirrups back the trouble starts all over again!!!!

Right, therein lies the rub. I know just what you mean. I seem to do just about everything better without stirrups, but don't always translate that back to riding with them. For me, I have to make a conscious effort to focus on what it feels like without them and try to recreate that feeling when I get them back. For jumping, I focus on the feeling of having the weight carried along my thigh and not in the stirrups.

Hope I didn't insult you with the simple cavalletti stuff! Obviously, you're way beyond that.

FreedomStar · #13 5th Jul 2002, 06:16 AM

I suggest getting into your jumping position before the jump, like 5 strides away, and hold that position. Once, I did a jumping lesson crosscountry style, in my 4 position the whole time. Believe me, it, helped me lots with my position.

cvb · #14 5th Jul 2002, 09:24 AM

a simple one - try and think of your seat being superglued to the saddle.

also, just a thought, but could you have your stirrups too long ? Then you might feel unbalanced. One lesson I remember we had extremely short stirrups, almost like jockeys, and it really makes you aware of your position. Plus if you stand up, you may be catapulted into orbit !!