Help! Tips for tall rider balance!

[LizzieRC1313]

I fall off A LOT! I'm tall, my horse reasonably narrow and when things go tits up, I come off. It's got to the extent that people on my yard will be putting money on whether or not I can stay on. I'm talking about jumping here, not every day riding. Today I was doing CT and after a sweet dressage test he was jumping fab. However, after jumping a double on the wrong leg (my fault) & landing unbalanced (again- all me) he decided it was high time he debuted his first ever flying change, throwing himself to the left and me out the side door to the right. Much as I enjoy giving everyone a good laugh, I'd like to start staying on more than I come off. So any exercise tips AWAY from the horse (I'm at uni in the week) to improve my core strength & balance? I just feel at the moment I get to a tipping point & I haven't for the strength to pull myself back, and being very tall isn't helping me.

TIA

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

Anything that will improve your core strength, and lower leg strength.

Some yoga and pilates is really good (you can get Pilates for riders), or maybe something like Zumba for a bit of all round fitness? Depending in finances and time running for leg strength and then doing sit ups at home are cheap Youtube has good videos, though obviously try any new exercises with caution etc...

Also when you ride next I think you need to do some work on your 2-point position, maybe check stirrup length and stuff, if you are coming off easily when jumping but not so much on the flat. I'm tall but I'm no less secure over fences than on the flat. It comes down to balance and core strength/general riding fitness...
Look at WFP - very tall but very secure in the saddle...

(but yes I do sometimes think short riders might have it a bit easier as there it 'less' to hang off the side when it goes pear shaped, though I suppose it is all relative! And I'll now be lynched by all the shorter riders on here )

 

[SpringArising]

If you're tall and your horse is narrow I would have thought that you'd actually have a better chance at staying on, as you have more to wrap your legs around.

Are your stirrups short enough for you to have a good, solid leg position? If you have a secure seat and your heals are firmly in place, then you shouldn't be coming off just because the horse does a swift flying change (sorry if I've missed something here).

 

[AusRider]

I just feel at the moment I get to a tipping point & I haven't for the strength to pull myself back, and being very tall isn't helping me.

I hate to point this out, but it could be your saddle as well. I am not very tall, and I tried several jump saddles before I settled on 'the one'. In many of the jump saddles I tried, I couldn't get myself back up into the upright position after a jump quickly enough, and that puts you into position where you could fall off, if you/horse are a bit off balance. Are you having jump lessons with a good instructor? What does he/she say about your falling off a lot?

Hope that helps.

 

[Mike007]

I hate to point this out, but it could be your saddle as well. I am not very tall, and I tried several jump saddles before I settled on 'the one'. In many of the jump saddles I tried, I couldn't get myself back up into the upright position after a jump quickly enough, and that puts you into position where you could fall off, if you/horse are a bit off balance. Are you having jump lessons with a good instructor? What does he/she say about your falling off a lot?

Hope that helps.

The first thing I would look at is the saddle. It may well be the perfect fit for the horse but it needs to fit the rider too .

 

[CrazyMare]

I'm not massively tall (5ft8) but I ride ponies.

I find my saddle and stirrup length make the biggest difference. Input my stirrups up 5 holes between flat and jumping in the same saddle.

 

[PorkChop]

When you are out hacking, stand up in your stirrups and balance without holding on! Start in walk, trot is the best, start by leaning on the neck by the wither and then progress to letting go - it really engages your lower leg and core, make sure you don't grip with your knees

Another suggestion - study William Fox-Pitt

 

[Goldenstar]

Watch William FP then watch him again and again and again then for a change watch Mark Todd then by way of a change and a different approach watch Mary King.

 

[LizzieRC1313]

I hate to point this out, but it could be your saddle as well. I am not very tall, and I tried several jump saddles before I settled on 'the one'. In many of the jump saddles I tried, I couldn't get myself back up into the upright position after a jump quickly enough, and that puts you into position where you could fall off, if you/horse are a bit off balance. Are you having jump lessons with a good instructor? What does he/she say about your falling off a lot?

Hope that helps.

The first thing I would look at is the saddle. It may well be the perfect fit for the horse but it needs to fit the rider too .

I'm not massively tall (5ft8) but I ride ponies.

I find my saddle and stirrup length make the biggest difference. Input my stirrups up 5 holes between flat and jumping in the same saddle.

I think this may be an issue & has been suggested by v experienced friend who helps me as my knee is over knee roll, due to conflict between length of horse and ridiculously long leg length! Selling saddles is SUCH a hassle & I haven't got any cash to spare so would rely on getting full price for existing one. You have all reinforced what I was already thinking tho so thank you!

When you are out hacking, stand up in your stirrups and balance without holding on! Start in walk, trot is the best, start by leaning on the neck by the wither and then progress to letting go - it really engages your lower leg and core, make sure you don't grip with your knees

Another suggestion - study William Fox-Pitt

Watch William FP then watch him again and again and again then for a change watch Mark Todd then by way of a change and a different approach watch Mary King.

LJR, will give this a go! Have spent much time studying WFP ( reading he took a long time to find his balance was like music to my ears!). Don't want to give impression I flop off over fences at the drop of a hat, it happens when horse drops shoulder to either run out or do extravagant flying change a la yesterday. If I'm a head of movement at that point then it's game over. Must work on core strength as am fed up of it now!

Thanks for suggestions, am off to watch yet more WFP vids

 

[Princess Rosie]

I would definitely look at your saddle, can you get a saddle fitter out with a selection of saddles to try? Also what about an RSTor? I find mine invaluable when my mare spooks and throws in a few good bucks for good measure, held me pull myself deep into the saddle and makes me feel a lot more secure.