Canter/position/jumping CC? (pics) *long!*

[NeedNewHorse]

QR; To be honest I think your biggest issue is security!

I think sometimes you need to forget everything and just get on with it and go with the flow!!

Once you realise you don't need your security of holding on (and tensing up) you can then start to think of improvement and everything else but until you release yourself and let yourself go, theres no point in trying this and that - What about some good lunge lessons?

Goodluck.XX

 

[Kat]

Hi T_G!

Ok, I couldn't get a good view of your jumping position as the pictures were face on. I can see that you were looking up though, that is really important so well done. A common mistake is to sort of stand up and tip forwards, if this might be you, try shortening your stirrups one extra and thinking about sticking your bum out behind you rather than folding forwards. My old instructor suggested thinking about the "hover" position you adopt when trying not to sit on a public loo! I have told so many people this she'll be wanting to copyright it!

I would absolutely stop holding the front of the saddle, it really doesn't help, it tends to make you tense and puts your hands in the wrong place. If you want to hold on, and that is fine, hold the mane. Some people suggest a neck strap or balance strap but I think the mane is more secure. It also puts your hands in a good position and you won't be tempted to use it to pull yourself into the saddle. Hold the mane just above the withers for flat work and a good way up the neck for jumping, that will really teach you to follow the movement of the neck over the fence.

In the flat picture your position was good, except, your hands were in your lap (holding the saddle?) take them forward over the wither, and your heels could drop a bit lower. Try not to think heels down, think weight through your heels, and let the weight sink down through your legs and into your heel.

Just remember, don't hold that saddle!

Hope that helps.

 

[Nocturnal]

With regard to struggling to get a canter transition - remember not to abandon the horse. Its all too easy sometimes to push your hands out (or throw the reins away) to try and get the horse to move forwards, but that usually has the opposite effect. Next time you ask for canter, pay special attention to what your hands are doing, and make sure they stay still

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

QR; To be honest I think your biggest issue is security!

I think sometimes you need to forget everything and just get on with it and go with the flow!!

Once you realise you don't need your security of holding on (and tensing up) you can then start to think of improvement and everything else but until you release yourself and let yourself go, theres no point in trying this and that - What about some good lunge lessons?

Goodluck.XX

I do really tense up when jumping (as you can see with my awful jumping face ) and when my allowance goes into my account I'll be buying myself either two lunge lesson, or one on the lunge and one off. I feel more tense on certain horses at the RS, and I know them well, but for example in my head I keep thinking Dawi is a stubborn lump (he is ), so I really tense up, but once I got him working and once I relaxed, he did go quite well. *takes deep breaths...* xx

Hi T_G!

Ok, I couldn't get a good view of your jumping position as the pictures were face on. I can see that you were looking up though, that is really important so well done. A common mistake is to sort of stand up and tip forwards, if this might be you, try shortening your stirrups one extra and thinking about sticking your bum out behind you rather than folding forwards. My old instructor suggested thinking about the "hover" position you adopt when trying not to sit on a public loo! I have told so many people this she'll be wanting to copyright it! I'll definitely try this!

I would absolutely stop holding the front of the saddle, it really doesn't help, it tends to make you tense and puts your hands in the wrong place. If you want to hold on, and that is fine, hold the mane. Some people suggest a neck strap or balance strap but I think the mane is more secure. It also puts your hands in a good position and you won't be tempted to use it to pull yourself into the saddle. Hold the mane just above the withers for flat work and a good way up the neck for jumping, that will really teach you to follow the movement of the neck over the fence.

I know, I just can't hold on to the saddle any more! Hopefully holding onto the mane will give me just that bit more confidence (luckily none of our RS horses are hogged, eh?!)

In the flat picture your position was good, except, your hands were in your lap (holding the saddle?) take them forward over the wither, and your heels could drop a bit lower. Try not to think heels down, think weight through your heels, and let the weight sink down through your legs and into your heel.

I'm going to try and get on board a bit earlier just to stretch my legs and get them into a good position. My hands are (thankfully!) a lot better now too

Just remember, don't hold that saddle!

I'm definitely going to hold on to some mane instead.

Hope that helps.

It has! Thankyou xx

With regard to struggling to get a canter transition - remember not to abandon the horse. Its all too easy sometimes to push your hands out (or throw the reins away) to try and get the horse to move forwards, but that usually has the opposite effect. Next time you ask for canter, pay special attention to what your hands are doing, and make sure they stay still

Thats a very good point Ballyboo, I will make sure to remember this! xx

 

[Ravenwood]

Sorry - I have only skim read all the replies so sorry if I am repeating anyone!

But, have you done much work without stirrups? If you have a lesson without stirrups it will help with your balance, sitting trot and transition to canter.

If you are worried about your transition then just let it flow, forget for the moment about the actual transition, get the pony into canter and do a few laps of the school letting the pony find its pace without you panicking - just relax. Once you have discovered your ideal position at canter you will find the transition easier because you will know what to expect.

I take it you always ask for canter at a corner of the school? Much easier than trying to get it on the straight side. Or even put a pole down at the corner and ask for canter over the pole

 

[Snickers]

I had this exact same problem with transitions, the only thing that helped was me conciously telling myself to relax and keep my hands still

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Sorry - I have only skim read all the replies so sorry if I am repeating anyone!

But, have you done much work without stirrups? If you have a lesson without stirrups it will help with your balance, sitting trot and transition to canter.

If you are worried about your transition then just let it flow, forget for the moment about the actual transition, get the pony into canter and do a few laps of the school letting the pony find its pace without you panicking - just relax. Once you have discovered your ideal position at canter you will find the transition easier because you will know what to expect.

I take it you always ask for canter at a corner of the school? Much easier than trying to get it on the straight side. Or even put a pole down at the corner and ask for canter over the pole

I've done a bit of work no stirrups, but need to do more! I'm booking myself a lunge lesson soon, and have also asked my instructor to make one of our group's lessons bareback!

I had this exact same problem with transitions, the only thing that helped was me conciously telling myself to relax and keep my hands still

I definitely need to relax! I love cantering when I'm actually doing it, but I find the transition hard

 

[HollyWoozle]

I find canter transitions hard too but I promise that they do get better with practice. When I first started having lessons with Belle, it took me ages to get her to strike off in canter and then we could only do a few strides before we went back to trot, we were just both quite unbalanced. I really really have to think about pushing my groin into the saddle (sorry to sound disturbing!) otherwise I fly out of the seat. I have to think about my hips having a sort of see-saw action where they rock back and forth with the horse's movement. Now that I am better at this, I am free to think more about the rest of my body and about how to keep the horse in the canter. Now that I'm more balanced Belle finds canter a lot easier too. Sometimes I find myself over riding the transition when I don't need to so I need to work on this and learn to sit more quietly. I also like to say 'canter' when I'm asking for it as Belle understands this and it helps me focus.

I have trotted without stirrups twice and this has really helped, though I'm the same as you and feel like I slide from one side to the other (Belle is not a fan!). This has also helped me to get my stirrups down a notch as I was riding quite short.

As for jumping... I really have no clue and can't be much help. I'm more of the philosophy that I would rather go with the horse than restrict her as she probably wants to get over it in one piece too. If you think about it like this then perhaps it will improve your confidence, particularly as you are on riding school horses which should be fairly sensible (fairly, hehe).

Someone earlier mentioned core strength and I would really recommend a gym ball for this. You can find many simple exercises which can be done whilst watching the TV and this would help your core strength and your balance. They're also just fun to roll about on.

I'm not a great rider so not much of an authority on this but personally I think that your riding position is lovely.

 

[Brummyrat]

Dont be too harsh on yourself there's not a long wrong with those pics!! As others have said, lunge lessons are the way to go, you just need to find your seatbones and stretch your thighs down which is agony trust me but worth it in the end! If your RS doesnt do them then find somewhere that does because it'll be the best money you've ever spent! Good luck x

 

[Brummyrat]

....and to add, at least you're jumping, there's a lot of us on here that are too scared!! Not me obviously

 

[Natch]

The most important thing of all... is to have fun You sound like you kinda want to have fun jumping but are a little afraid to let yourself in case your balance goes squiffy!

I think sometimes we can focus too much on getting your heels down, not jabbing the horse in the mouth, not slipping etc, and miss the point of horses. Try laughing - if you slip, or if it feels funny, or if you get over a jump in one piece allbeit in thelwell style... its hard for your body to remain tense if you laugh

I have no further comments to add, as I think you are doing the right thing getting lunge lessons and doing stirrupless work (much as you might HATE it it really is one of the single best things you can do!).

enjoy those horses and ponies

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

I find canter transitions hard too but I promise that they do get better with practice. When I first started having lessons with Belle, it took me ages to get her to strike off in canter and then we could only do a few strides before we went back to trot, we were just both quite unbalanced. I really really have to think about pushing my groin into the saddle (sorry to sound disturbing!) otherwise I fly out of the seat. I have to think about my hips having a sort of see-saw action where they rock back and forth with the horse's movement. Now that I am better at this, I am free to think more about the rest of my body and about how to keep the horse in the canter. Now that I'm more balanced Belle finds canter a lot easier too. Sometimes I find myself over riding the transition when I don't need to so I need to work on this and learn to sit more quietly. I also like to say 'canter' when I'm asking for it as Belle understands this and it helps me focus.

I have trotted without stirrups twice and this has really helped, though I'm the same as you and feel like I slide from one side to the other (Belle is not a fan!). This has also helped me to get my stirrups down a notch as I was riding quite short.

As for jumping... I really have no clue and can't be much help. I'm more of the philosophy that I would rather go with the horse than restrict her as she probably wants to get over it in one piece too. If you think about it like this then perhaps it will improve your confidence, particularly as you are on riding school horses which should be fairly sensible (fairly, hehe).

Someone earlier mentioned core strength and I would really recommend a gym ball for this. You can find many simple exercises which can be done whilst watching the TV and this would help your core strength and your balance. They're also just fun to roll about on.

I'm not a great rider so not much of an authority on this but personally I think that your riding position is lovely.

Hehe, Holly, thankyou! When I read that last sentence I squeeked
Just got back from a HOT lesson today, it was really good! Borrowed a schooling whip and life was so much easier, and I got a lovely canter out of Dawi, the big ol Welsh D, I was grinning ear to ear!

I feel my seat in canter is ok, I stick quite well now. (I've heard people describe sitting to the canter as 'sh*gging the saddle! )

I'm hopefully riding Albert in our jump lesson next week, and as slow as he is, he does kind of take care of you! Well... I wouldn't have said that when he smooshed me into the fence...!!

Dont be too harsh on yourself there's not a long wrong with those pics!! As others have said, lunge lessons are the way to go, you just need to find your seatbones and stretch your thighs down which is agony trust me but worth it in the end! If your RS doesnt do them then find somewhere that does because it'll be the best money you've ever spent! Good luck x

I'm going to book myself one at my RS as soon as my allowance goes into my account

....and to add, at least you're jumping, there's a lot of us on here that are too scared!! Not me obviously

There teeeeeeny jumps though!!

The most important thing of all... is to have fun You sound like you kinda want to have fun jumping but are a little afraid to let yourself in case your balance goes squiffy!

Thats so true! Our group has a jumping lesson next week, I'm so excited but scared too

I think sometimes we can focus too much on getting your heels down, not jabbing the horse in the mouth, not slipping etc, and miss the point of horses. Try laughing - if you slip, or if it feels funny, or if you get over a jump in one piece allbeit in thelwell style... its hard for your body to remain tense if you laugh

I always laugh and grin after every jump, even though I look terrified whilst actually doing it! Someone on here suggested I go "YES!" after every jump to get my confidence up

I have no further comments to add, as I think you are doing the right thing getting lunge lessons and doing stirrupless work (much as you might HATE it it really is one of the single best things you can do!).

I love going stirrup-less (and bareback!!) even though I'm not very good at it

enjoy those horses and ponies I definitely will! xx

Thank you so much everyone for your help and advice! I feel much more prepared for my jump lesson next week, and will of course post piccies

Keep those tips coming! xxx

 

[Sol]

I feel my seat in canter is ok, I stick quite well now. (I've heard people describe sitting to the canter as 'sh*gging the saddle! )

Well, I'll be testing out the 'laughing makes you relax' theory next time I ride I think! Hope the saddle fitter doesn't ask what I'm finding so hilarious........ xD
In 11 years, that's the first time I've heard that description!
*dies laughing*

On a more serious note..... we need more pics! (damn, that doesn't quite sound right following the above o.o) I mean, pics of you riding... and Dawi! (hipe I spelled that right!)

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Well, I'll be testing out the 'laughing makes you relax' theory next time I ride I think! Hope the saddle fitter doesn't ask what I'm finding so hilarious........ xD
In 11 years, that's the first time I've heard that description!
*dies laughing*

On a more serious note..... we need more pics! (damn, that doesn't quite sound right following the above o.o) I mean, pics of you riding... and Dawi! (hipe I spelled that right!)

Well, I didn't come up with that, I heard it on here!!

I know we need piccies! My Daddy is very lazy, and was just sitting in the shade reading while I was riding

I always laugh after a jump cos I'm SO SCARED!!! I think the laughing helps me relax though.... Anyway, Danny is so beautiful the saddle fitter will probably just swoon and won't be able to give you a new saddle till they recover

xx

 

[Sol]

Okay Still, worth a giggle....

My dad's like that too My mum always takes wonky photos though!

I tend to chatter away to Danny when we're jumping competatively, surprised people watching don't think we're nuts (well, they probably do tbh) it helps calm me down o.o

 

[xena_wales]

I got a lovely canter out of Dawi, the big ol Welsh D, I was grinning ear to ear!

Is it "Dewi", Welsh for David? (Pronounced Dawi).

Congratulatioins on your progress

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Okay Still, worth a giggle....

My dad's like that too My mum always takes wonky photos though!

I tend to chatter away to Danny when we're jumping competatively, surprised people watching don't think we're nuts (well, they probably do tbh) it helps calm me down o.o

I've got a jump lesson next week and our friend will be forced to take the pics, (as the 'rents are off at a party!) so I apologise in advance for the wonkiness

I always talk to the horses, I don't care if I sound bonkers! I talk to Mitzy when I walk her, too, it must worry the poor park-goers

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Is it "Dewi", Welsh for David? (Pronounced Dawi).

Congratulatioins on your progress

Hehe, thankyou!

Its 'Dawi' in The Book and on the tack room wall, but I spose 'Dewi' is a more correct way of spelling it?

(I think he's a welsh D, as hes 15.2, fuzzy and quite the native )

 

[Sol]

Wonkiness forgiven!

haha, I remember when I had Koora stabled at the hunt kennels - plenty of wonderfully stuck up people driving past on the drive way (went up to the main house/hall/thing! it was fairly 'posh' anyway) and I was riding along with my feet out of the stirrups singing 'Twinke twinkle little star' for some unknown reason - I then noticed I was being followed down the drive way by several cars. It was a nice sunny day, so said cars had their windows down.....
I shut up and moved quickly o.o it was SCARY! Not to mention embarrassing

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Wonkiness forgiven!

haha, I remember when I had Koora stabled at the hunt kennels - plenty of wonderfully stuck up people driving past on the drive way (went up to the main house/hall/thing! it was fairly 'posh' anyway) and I was riding along with my feet out of the stirrups singing 'Twinke twinkle little star' for some unknown reason - I then noticed I was being followed down the drive way by several cars. It was a nice sunny day, so said cars had their windows down.....
I shut up and moved quickly o.o it was SCARY! Not to mention embarrassing

HAHAA!!! O Solly, you've made my day

Hehe, I did my flying gymnastic-y dismount in the yard today, think I frightened a few people!!

 

[Sol]

Glad to be of service

sounds scary!
We like to make things interesting for people.... like Danny deciding pretending to be a race horse in the dressage warm up was ideal. Erm, sure. Had everyone stood on the car part staring like o.o wtf? Probably more so as when he stopped, we just carried on trotting like nothing happened (you all imagined it! Ha!)

 

[Wobblywibble]

Thelwell Girl (nice name BTW), just bear in mind that there is no quick fix, a series of lunge lessons or riding without stirrups for part of every single lesson is what you need to do. It will all come together in time and it will probably creep up on you so one day you pop over a jump and suddenly realise that you did everything right.

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Glad to be of service

sounds scary!
We like to make things interesting for people.... like Danny deciding pretending to be a race horse in the dressage warm up was ideal. Erm, sure. Had everyone stood on the car part staring like o.o wtf? Probably more so as when he stopped, we just carried on trotting like nothing happened (you all imagined it! Ha!)

Ahh, Danny... He is special...! Bonnie likes to make things interesting by attacking any horses that come to close to her face, nearly getting me kicked in the process... Albert likes to smoosh you into the arena wall if he isn't satisfied with your riding (taking half your knee with it)... Oh, and Dawi likes to decide where he goes, never mind the reins!

Thelwell Girl (nice name BTW), just bear in mind that there is no quick fix, a series of lunge lessons or riding without stirrups for part of every single lesson is what you need to do. It will all come together in time and it will probably creep up on you so one day you pop over a jump and suddenly realise that you did everything right.

Hehe, I am very much a Thelwell girl!

I know what you mean, there's a lot of hard work ahead of me (as there is for all riders who want to improve) and I know I'll get there one day!

xx

(Keep those tips coming, HHO-ers!)

 

[Sol]

Very special
I remember Dimples (tiny, 11.1 fuzzeh ginger dimples) attacking my RI-at-the-time's 16hh TB gelding o.o WHILE I WAS ON HIM. Dimp just really hated Indy... never done it to any other horse

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Very special
I remember Dimples (tiny, 11.1 fuzzeh ginger dimples) attacking my RI-at-the-time's 16hh TB gelding o.o WHILE I WAS ON HIM. Dimp just really hated Indy... never done it to any other horse

Oh my ponies!

That must've been pretty worrying! Poor Indy must've been *pooing* himself!!

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

*bump*

 

[Sol]

Probably

I think at the time I found it all rather hilarious.... I'm STILL peeved that I never got to ride Indy! all the horses there were like robots, so why did it matter I was only about 2'6?! (no exaggeration, and I was about 10....) My next instructor let me ride her 17.1hh Showjumper and I never had an issue And she certainly wasn't a plod!! xD Was a bit daunting though knowing I had no hope in hell of stopping of she b*ggered off with me....

Parents home tomorrow! Still got the house to tidy... ahhhhh, fun. xD
saddle fitter came out anyway - no need for new saddles! PHEW. That's some pennies saved Going to spend some of them on some new numnahs/saddle cloths though as his jumping numnah is a bit small now :/

Hows you anyway????

 

[chancing]

Hey there,
position doesnt look that bad at all just relax which I know from experience when your learning is easier said than done. Do you have private or group lessons? if the latter I would get a few private lunge lessons so you can just concentrate on yourself rather than the horse. Can you trot without stirrups? I found it helped me in canter and put your stirrups down a hole or two which will help you lengthen and deepen and relax.

Hope this rambling message helps good luck

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Probably

I think at the time I found it all rather hilarious.... I'm STILL peeved that I never got to ride Indy! all the horses there were like robots, so why did it matter I was only about 2'6?! (no exaggeration, and I was about 10....) My next instructor let me ride her 17.1hh Showjumper and I never had an issue And she certainly wasn't a plod!! xD Was a bit daunting though knowing I had no hope in hell of stopping of she b*ggered off with me....

Parents home tomorrow! Still got the house to tidy... ahhhhh, fun. xD
saddle fitter came out anyway - no need for new saddles! PHEW. That's some pennies saved Going to spend some of them on some new numnahs/saddle cloths though as his jumping numnah is a bit small now :/

Hows you anyway????

Have you seen the pics of me trying to vault on holiday? Now THAT is one huuuuge horseh!! The biggest I've ridden normally was a measly 16.2

Ahh, I think you should get them all done up with D's name embroidered, or his show name! Btw I have decided for you that his show name is now Ginja Ninja ;D

I'm good, had a fab lesson on sunday, on DAWI! I really need to get myself a beeyoootiful pink schooling whip
xx

Hey there,
position doesnt look that bad at all just relax which I know from experience when your learning is easier said than done. Do you have private or group lessons? if the latter I would get a few private lunge lessons so you can just concentrate on yourself rather than the horse. Can you trot without stirrups? I found it helped me in canter and put your stirrups down a hole or two which will help you lengthen and deepen and relax.

Hope this rambling message helps good luck

Hi cooliorulz

Relaxing is what I'm working on in all my lessons, its helped so much already! I have weekly group lessons, but am booking myself a few lunge lessons over the coming weeks (to help work on my trot w/o stirrups! To say its comical is an understatement...!).

I'm cantering much more easily now I'm relaxing, just need to relax while cantering too

Thanks for the tips!

T_G xx

 

[Sol]

xD Ninja poneh he seems to be at times o.o
Definitely saving up to get a shaped jumping cloth for him at Scope festival, and maybe a 'Team Ginger' hat

Vaulting sounds epic!