Jumping, advice please

[RubysGold]

When I jump, my hands land on her wither, rather then going up her neck, like this

And recently because I've not jumped much I've found I've started catching her in the mouth. Instructor says that until I start to relax and breathe I'm going to struggle to go forward properly (because I've also started to sit up over fences)
So any advice as to how I can relax, and how I can get my hands to go forward rather then down.
If I go to a jump thinking about my hands I end up throwing my reins at her

 

[maxapple]

How about doing lots of practice over trotting poles rather than over jumps - so as you trot over the poles, adopt a 'jumping position' . That should help you pratice the position you need to be in without having to worry about the jump.

 

[Sparkles]

I do exactly the same:

All I can say is every fence just really reeally focus on putting your hands up and releasing I guess. I have to really focus on it tho to remember....I always release a tiny bit and just slip the reins....my worst habit!

Put a ribbon or hair band maybe 3/4 way in the mane so it's a visual where to put your hands over the fence?

 

[madeleine1]

hey

your horse has a lovly jump. i also had this problem as i lean to far forward when jumping and cos im not the lightest person in the world this was affecting how high she could jump. i learnt to site back a bit more and fold rather then standing up the horses neck.

this brought my hands up and i relaxed more.

hope it helps but i dont understand it to much i just feel it.

 

[showjumpergirl]

Hi!

The first thing that I noticed was that your stirrups seem to be a long, shortening them even just a little may help your whole position a lot. Also, you're catching your horse in the mouth because of your fixed hand position. I don't know if it's possible for you but as an "experimental" (slightly stupid when mother's back was turned) child, I spent a lot of time jumping without hands etc, which meant that when I used my reins, my balance jumping wasn't reliant on them.

Good luck, and I'm sure you'll improve with practice, you're almost there already!

 

[fitzaud2]

When I was learning to jump, I fell off twice every lesson for ages, then adapted a "hunting" type position, sit back. It took a new instructor to watch me and show me a different way to jump. She said stay sitting in the saddle, just fold forward from the hips and drop your hands down the side of the neck. It worked well, horses were delighted. THe "Thicko" figured it out, after a while i was able to jump in the "normal" position and get it right. Hope it helps.