Jumping at home today - is my lower leg too defensive

Shrimp

Shrimp

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 October 2005
Messages
2,571
Location
The Wirral
Visit site
Had a bit of fun jumping at home today and got mum to take some photos. Im still a little rusty but im just about getting back into the swing of things. Anyway, in a couple of the pics my lower leg looks rather defensive. Ive always had a good, secure lower leg (lots of practise thanks to previous ponies being able to drop a shoulder and spin rather fast! :D ) but perhaps in these pics its a bit too much? And I think its possibly causing me to sit in the saddle too much when in the air? On the flat, in canter especially, mum noticed that my leg was rather forward too.

I think perhaps my stirrups could go up a hole or two as I did used to jump quite short so might try that at the weekend. But does anyone have any tips or exercises I could do to try and improve it? Any CC most welcome :) Many thanks!

164785_10150127119196807_501651806_7860181_2843637_n.jpg


36255_10150127119541807_501651806_7860184_4629482_n.jpg


165184_10150127118871807_501651806_7860176_3281614_n.jpg
 
to be honest its hard to tell from photos, but to me it looks better like that than swinging back too much, or moving around!!
 
First off YAY jumping pics :D you both look like your enjoying yourselves?
I don't know a lot and there are far more experienced people on here, but yes to me it looks a bit on the defensive side and your stirrups could go up a hole or two which should help?
 
stirrups up and try to bring your hips more forwards rather than battling against your lower leg,will counter act the pivot action slightly- leg forward making body and pelvis shoot back- will also lighten your seat on the flat. Are you pleased to have him back??:)
 
To me it doesnt look too defensive, but your weight looks to be in your toe instead of your heel, and therefore when you jump your leg possibly goes forward rather than staying secure?
 
Thankyou - that makes sense :) Shall try that on saturday but wont be able to ride for two weeks after that so not much practising :( damn uni :D
Its great having him back, im enjoying it so much. It put a smile on my face just jumping today whereas I used to put pressure on myself to perfect everything rather than just having fun.
 
I would say that if you put your stirrups up 2 (maybe 3) holes then you may find it easier to maintain your lower leg position. I think that your feet and lower leg have pushed forwards due to you trying to keep your weight in the longer stirrups?? (hard to tell from pics though)
In the flatwork canter try to think of sitting perhaps slightly lighter in your seat and this may encourage your legs to stay on or slightly behind the girth. When jumping canter with your weight up out the saddle to start with and try to think as if your feet are tucked underneath your rather than out infront of you.

Sorry for the rambling - hope this maybe helps though
 
sometimes its good to just have fun and let eveything slot into place naturally rather than concentrate too much, so nice to see you both back in action
 
Thanks, im definitely going to put my stirrups up for next time! :D Im going to have to think to myself 'lighter lighter lighter' as im riding round. Hopefully going to get some lessons when I have the time and money, will be easier when someone is shouting it at me so I dont forget! :D
 
Pidgeon said:
sometimes its good to just have fun and let eveything slot into place naturally rather than concentrate too much, so nice to see you both back in action
Click to expand...

Cheers! :D Yeh thats what I plan on doing and just tweaking things here and there which hopefully wont remove any of the fun! :D Going clear round showjumping at Church Farm on saturday with a group from the yard so that should be good fun :D
 
Looks to me like you just need more weight in your heel, stirrups up a hole or to and then you will be able to shift your weight further forwards easier in the air instead of sitting back in the saddle. Not to bad though considering it's been a while!!!
 
I echo what was said about working on putting your weight less on the balls of your feet. Gives your calves a bit more of a nice stretch and exercise! Plus, you may find you don't need to scoot your stirrups up too many notches once your lower leg is being used more correctly (less forward, keeping your heels down) and will help you with your lightness and position anyway.

You have a better position than quite a few you see jumping.

Tips wise: Keep it basic I say. Canter in your jumping position working on keeping your heels down and keeping in balance. Burn off a few extra calories and get toned legs, so plus all around! Haha.:D
 
HuggyBear - im liking that idea, any extra calorie burning is definitely a bonus! :D Thinking about it, when I used to event I was probably alot better with it being necessary for xc to be out the saddle more so my legs were stronger and more used to it Hopefully when the fields are back open when it gets drier i'll be able to canter round and practise, bring on summer! Thanks :)
 
i would say that once your stirrups come up a few holes then i think it'll be ok...they look very long for jumping! you both look like you are having fun though :D
 
Agree with your weight being in your toe slightly. Also, it looks a little like you might be gripping with your knee? I would think it would pretty much correct itself once your legs strenghten up again.

Great to see you 2 back together again :D
 
I think your saddle does you know no favours as the knee/hip ratios look out of kilter and if you put your stirrups up then your knee will go over the edge of the knee roll. Your bum is also right at the back of the saddle in the mid air shot. I think you need a longer seat and a saddle with better knee rolls that fit. I think you would then be amazed how much your lower leg improves with weight going into your heels rather than you gripping with the knee.
 
My stirrups didnt feel that long though which is the weird thing, I think there are only one maybe two down from what I used to ride and they are four up from flatwork! Long legs are a pain sometimes :D
Could possibly be gripping with my knee, cant remember but shall be conscious of it next time incase i am :)
Its great to be back together :D
 
LEC said:
I think your saddle does you know no favours as the knee/hip ratios look out of kilter and if you put your stirrups up then your knee will go over the edge of the knee roll. Your bum is also right at the back of the saddle in the mid air shot. I think you need a longer seat and a saddle with better knee rolls that fit. I think you would then be amazed how much your lower leg improves with weight going into your heels rather than you gripping with the knee.
Click to expand...

I did wonder that. I was 16/17 when we got this saddle for him and im now nearly 22 and though ive grown no more than two inches, im no longer stick thin and it probably has made a difference!
Hmm will have to have a think, im only riding sporadically at the moment but if I seriously start competing again I will have to do something about it.
 
LEC said:
I think your saddle does you know no favours as the knee/hip ratios look out of kilter and if you put your stirrups up then your knee will go over the edge of the knee roll. Your bum is also right at the back of the saddle in the mid air shot. I think you need a longer seat and a saddle with better knee rolls that fit. I think you would then be amazed how much your lower leg improves with weight going into your heels rather than you gripping with the knee.
Click to expand...

Glad to see it's just not me who wondered about the saddle. I wasn't terribly concerned about your leg position as I was drawn towards the fact you were popping out of your saddle - it doesn't look like you've got room to shunt back when you're jumping - which will be accentuated if you shorten your stirrups.

Looks like you two are going to have lots of fun together though :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top