Jumping lower leg

[SpotsandBays]

So I’ve been working on sorting out my position over fences, (abit rusty!) and have finally managed to stop the “Upright” jump position, and am now closing my hip angle, but would like some tips/tricks for sorting out my lower leg? My heel comes up and then in turn my lower leg comes back. I don’t “feel” or believe that I’m overfolding? BLEURGH. I’ve been doing lots of riding in a two point position on the flat, and doing some no stirrup work. Recently started doing some more Gridwork which has helped my upper body position but I just can’t crack that lower leg! (Am on the look out for an instructor but thinking of something I can do to supplement in the meantime)
Thanks all!

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

For me my lower leg came back when I was gripping with my upper thigh and knee. Also if I have my stirrups too long I find it harder to keep my heels down and forward.

 

[paddi22]

your saddle has a lot to do with it as well, what kind of saddle is it? some saddles naturally place there the rider in a very unbalanced position for jumping, and some just don't allow the stirrups to go up high enough as the knee blocks stop it.

if your heel is coming up then your stirrups are probably too long as the previous poster said.

 

[SpotsandBays]

For me my lower leg came back when I was gripping with my upper thigh and knee. Also if I have my stirrups too long I find it harder to keep my heels down and forward.

Yeah I’m sure I’m gripping with my knee. Ugh, wish I could get my horse to jump in Slow mo so I could really focus on it! ?

 

[SpotsandBays]

your saddle has a lot to do with it as well, what kind of saddle is it? some saddles naturally place there the rider in a very unbalanced position for jumping, and some just don't allow the stirrups to go up high enough as the knee blocks stop it.

if your heel is coming up then your stirrups are probably too long as the previous poster said.

Is a Kent and masters compact GP. I’ll try adjusting the stirrups again, and my knee blocks are moveable/removable so maybe I’ll play with those too? Honestly I think it’s just because I’m out of practice ?

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

An instructor told me to think about my lower leg as if I was riding a drop fence - seemed to do the trick for me.

 

[SpotsandBays]

An instructor told me to think about my lower leg as if I was riding a drop fence - seemed to do the trick for me.

That’s a good tip! I’ll get my other half to come and shout “DROP” at me next time I jump!

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

It was a handy wee aid, I know how it SHOULD feel going down a drop (or so I think anyway lol) so it was easy to translate into reality

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Yeah I’m sure I’m gripping with my knee. Ugh, wish I could get my horse to jump in Slow mo so I could really focus on it! ?

Obviously depends on your phone but can you get someone to film you jumping and then watch it back in slo mo? I did this so I could see what point it was I was losing balance. For me I'd jump it fine and it was on landing that my leg shot back. I don't know what height you jump but I would take it right back to basics. I did a lot of canter poles, my mare really stretches for them so I would go into light seat over them and only once my leg was solid did I put them up and have gradually worked up to 60cm.

 

[LEC]

Its really simple - look up. if you look up and have your hips correct then the lower leg will fall into place.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Its really simple - look up. if you look up and have your hips correct then the lower leg will fall into place.

Thank you, I definitely need to do this!

 

[bubsqueaks]

Is a Kent and masters compact GP. I’ll try adjusting the stirrups again, and my knee blocks are moveable/removable so maybe I’ll play with those too? Honestly I think it’s just because I’m out of practice ?

We used to have a K&M compact GP - definitely found it made you sit more in a bum back legs forward position - my daughter used to have this issue which has been helped by occassionally using the straps from girth to stirrup to stabilize & also bought some Stubben double offset stirrups which tilt back etc.

 

[SpotsandBays]

We used to have a K&M compact GP - definitely found it made you sit more in a bum back legs forward position - my daughter used to have this issue which has been helped by occassionally using the straps from girth to stirrup to stabilize & also bought some Stubben double offset stirrups which tilt back etc.

Thanks! I’ve actually got a new pair of stirrups to try with a wider footbed, I borrowed a friends and there is some improvement. My ankle is very rigid!