Do I Look Like I Am Riding Too Long?

Eventer96

Eventer96

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 June 2009
Messages
2,017
Location
Chester
twitter.com
Do you think I ride too long?


DSC_2569.jpg



Tweseldown71.jpg





Thanks in advance
smile.gif
 
Yes! How many holes do you put your stirrups up from your normal length for jumping?

Our instructor has always said a minimum of 2 holes for showjumping, and a definite minimum of 3, but preferably 4 or more for XC.
 
I ride really long so I won't criticise you for it but..... eventers usually ride really short! Hazard a guess between 4 - 6 holes shorter then what you are!! BUT whatever you feel comfortable with I would stick to!
grin.gif
xx
 
At that event (2 months ago) I put them up 3 holes..... Last weekend I put them up 5 holes and was told they were still long
shocked.gif
I will grab some pics from this weekend and post them on here to see if you can see the difference
smile.gif
 
Yes! I ride very long for flat work but if I dare to jump I go up at least 3 holes.

I heard somewhere that there are 12holes difference between william fox-pitt's dressage and xc length! lol
 
Yes.
grin.gif


Gorgeous horse - not at all jealous..
tongue.gif
smile.gif


I used to jump with my stirrups on the last hole so my feet were halfway up the horse's belly!
blush.gif
I have short legs and it was the most comfortable way to jump for me.
smile.gif
 
You probably ride a little bit long, but a really good friend of mine said to me a while ago, "ride long and live long". He's 62 and still whipping hounds. He's probably broken alot of bones, but he's one in a million. He's of the older generation, but has really great views. I would defenitely ride as long as you do, and so far so good. i have no balance when my stirrups are short, straight out the front door. I wish i could do the short stirrup thing but always fall off. I still hold the record with the tipperary foxhounds for falling off the most times. (11 in 2 hrs). Never again! My sister rides short bbut i just can't. dont have the balance for it. Dont worry about riding too long, if you are staying in the saddle, then you'll be ok. Hope this helps.
 
Yes , but take your time in shortening them . A bit at a time and get used to it.Your muscles will have to readjust,as will your ballance. You need to still feel confident,so dont alter things in a rush. Nice picturse.
 
The idea really is that when your stood up/in jumping position you still have a bend in your knees and ankles so you can absorb the movement. A straight leg means your more likely to bounce about. But like others have said it takes time. For years the difference between my dressage and jumping length was the standard two holes that the instructor on the saturday pony lessons said but eventually i developed a longer leg for school work and a shorter one for jumping. By the time I was last riding regularly there was a 2-3 hole difference between my schooling and hacking length! let alone jumping
 
Long for jumping but perfect for flatwork by the looks of the first photo in particular. However it's about how you feeing safe, secure and confident so if they work for you at that level then leave them be.

Stunning horse!
 
too long imo- from that photo i would expect you need to go up at least another 4 holes.

good thing is you look like you weight about as much as my right leg so the horse is very unlikely to be struggling if your bum is in the plate cross country!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top