Advice/tips: how to change a bad jumping position.

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Safina

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Bit of history: the boy came to me as a non-jumper, in the 3 years I've had him we've tried hard over grids and managed to get him going really well over XC. SJ has always been a bit of a problem and its not uncommon for us to go round a course backwards with a turn and cat leap motion at the last minute.

Fast forward to present day, my trainer has done some excellent work with us and the boy is now cantering courses in a straight line actually jumping nicely rather than leaping madly. The problem is suddenly my position is all wrong. I've spent 3 years taking the "anything to stop him galloping at a fence/after a fence and please god just let us get over it" approach and now thats looking very wrong when the boy is jumping properly now.

My problem is whilst I know what I am doing wrong; gripping with the knees, lower leg slipping back, throwing hands to his ears and not giving to mouth and (worst one) sitting up to sharply and too soon and not letting him "finish" the jump I just cannot seem to change it! I focus so hard on getting the right approach (as thats been our problem todate) that I can never manage to correct a dodgy jumping position in the 3/4 seconds I am in the air....its all over before I even get a chance!

We are jumping bigger now so I have more airtime but I could really do with some tips on how to correct the above problems. Ridden, mental and ground exercises would all be appreciated or just some support that I am not the only crap rider around!

Thanks in advance.
 
Just a thought but could you try using more of a cross country position for a short while?

A problem I have is fussing too much before and dropping everything after the fence. I found going in to more of a cross country position and just riding at the jumps thinking of nothing more than the rhythm of the horse. (I am assuming you aren't jumping much bigger than 3'6"). I found this really helped me stay out of the way of the horse.

Does that make sense?

It may be completely useless for your problem. But it is just a suggestion.
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Thanks for the advice, I'll try to focus more on rhythm as I think that might hele me land softer rather than sit up and take a contact as soon as his front feet touch the ground.

I am not sure the XC seat would work for me (at the moment), I started off as a forward seater and I've spent the last few SJ lessons being shouted at the sit up more and that I am not doing XC now!

Thanks for the advice though, I never seem to sit up sharply XC so that might help here.
 
Can you practice over grids etc? These are a great way to correct your position. Also think of opening your knees and keeping your legs wrapped around your horses side and rememebr to seat up, you only have to fold at the hips. Ypu can practice folding etc as you are going around the school
 
The important thing is to focus on just one element of the jumping position at a time. So perhaps start on the leg position, then onec thats really sorted move on to the next issue.

Trying to fix them all at the same time will be very frustrating.
 
Ah OK, Hahahahahahaaa.
SIT UP!!!

I agree with Samp, gridwork is fab. Again it focuses your mind on something else.

Do you think that might be your problem? You are so busy trying to get it right that you end up getting it wrong?
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If so, then you most certainly need to keep your mind busy with something else. Just got to find what works for you.

I've got a good book here somewhere I will have a look.
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Thanks all - yes, it could be that I know I am getting 4 things wrong and trying to correct them all at once. Perhaps focusing on one thing at a time would be a better idea. I just get so angry as I ride the grid, trainer points out good bits and bad bits, gives me advice on what to change and I go and rode the bl00dy grid exactly the same!

I do about 30 mins of grids to work on approach and get us going forward then we move on to combinations and mini-courses. Perhaps more grid work might be the key? I'll certainly practice folding whilst working round the school and concentrate on relaxing my knees and letting my legs drop down his sides.

Thanks again - its just so frustrating as we've worked so hard to get him better and now its my turn and I am failing.
 
Don't beat yourself up hun.

I have found a couple of exercises that might help you. They are more about staying relaxed than anything but it just might stop you trying to do too much?

It says.

"A persons voice gives away a lot about their physical and mental state".

Sooooo,,,,

When you are about 15m away from the fence, start to count the strides out loud. Keep your voice even, in the same tone and in time with your horse's stride. If your voice speeds up or changes in any way it is obvious your body has too.

another exercise is,,,

Whilst being supervised!!! Once you have lined your horse up to a fence, shut your eyes and allow yourself to follow the movement. When you have jumped the fence, open your eyes again.

I got those two ideas out of Tina Sederholm's book "Unlock your riding talent". It is a wonderful book with refreshing ideas to correct problems and improve performance.
It is one of my most favorite books ever.
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Aw Bonza thanks so much for typing those out - both sound like good fun as well as helpful and I'll def try those.

On my approach I normally instruct myself saying things like "Soft elbows, legs on, aim for the middle" in his canter rythm which has helped my approach loads so talking out loud and relaxing really helps.

Think the Tina book will be on my wish list. I loved her "cut out and keep" one page guides she used to do in your horse.
 
Hi, I have a couple of questions for you. How have you decided the length of your stirrups and what sort of pace is your horse working at? Let me know and I will see if we can make you both better. Also are you willing to try something holistic to help you. KJH
 
Hi KJH

I ride quite long on the flat as my boy has a deep chest and I like to have my legs stretching down. I go up 3 holes for SJ at the moment - its a comfortable length for me and one my trainer seemed happy with although I am more than willing to play around with different lengths.

When you say pace to you mean speed of approach or our level? He has a long stride and tends to run away a little but I've worked hard on maintaining a bouncy forward canter rythm. He'll always jump long rather than short and finds related distances of 3/4 strides the hardest .

We are competing at 2.6/2.9 and training at home over 2.9/3. Aim is to compete at 2.9/3.

Got to say am intrigued re: holistic but I am willing to try most things that will realistically help me improve my position.

Thanks for your offer of assistance.
 
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