Advice and comments gratefully received please (video)

Ravenwood

Ravenwood

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On Sunday I took my mare to her first jumping comp (and my first for about 15 years!!!) Please watch the video and criticise as much as you want. The round you will watch is the third round of 90cm, but unfortunately I have had to play around with the video so much to get it to upload, you don't get to see all the course or our worst mistakes which is what I really wanted to show you as it has cut short. But if there is anything you can point out for improvement I would be very grateful.

 
How can any one crit you!!! you have just got back into it after 15 yrs off, i think you done very well for your 1st and brave of you to pop it on here!!! well done x
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looks pretty good to me. is she a youngster? if not, i'd let her keep cantering between the fences maybe, but if she is, leave her to pick her way along and let her drop back to trot, and rebalance her, if she's happier that way. don't worry about the ones she tapped down, she just got a bit close and she'll learn! i thought you did a really nice job, well done!
 
Well, first off well done!!

I cant really see your riding from the video, but you seem a nice, quiet rider. The only thing i would suggest is to try and keep your canter, if you can get a rhythm it gives a much better approach to the fence. (You get to deep to the red and white jump because of this and end up having a pole). Your pony looks lovely!

N xx
 
OMG - youv'e all been so nice - Thank you. My mare is not a youngster but a very late starter! I was so thrilled with her because she kept her head and was very calm whereas when I have jumping lessons she gets very stressed, rushes the jumps and launches herself in the air. That indoor school is quite small (well smaller than the one I train in) but I completely agree that when I go again next month I will try to improve our rythm if she remains calm. I'm loving competing again - it make me feel 18 again!
 
Well all I can say is fair play to you, I get nervous when I havent jumped for a few weeks let alone 15 years!!!

All I would say (is simular to the above comments) I would try and get a bouncy canter - practice at home first obviously - and try to find a nice rhythm which will help her jump the fences. As far as you go, I would say that you need to lift your hands up and sit up a bit more, on the last few strides before the fence it looks (forgive me if im wrong) that you fall foward a bit and your hands are on her withers!! If you sit up more and hold your hands up you will automatically hold her up and then she shouldnt get to the bottom of the fences. But if she hasnt jumped that much then I think she will learn to get her feet out the way.

Looking good though!!!
 
Thanks and you are completely right - looking at the full video I think I have dropped her at every fence and my jumping instructor keeps on at me to lift my hands and head! We have another dressage comp at the end of the month so hopefully that will help to get us a bit more collected.
 
Gosh Ravenwood, I am impressed - both with your technological skills and with your jumping! Well done, I haven't left the ground for quite a while now.... (Old horse is too old to jump and the other does a harrier jump jet impersonation - vertical take off and landing which shoots me out the saddle! )
 
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