Jumping position advice please

[Imo longman]

I do a lot of showjumping and competing but my position is unbalenced over a fence as I lean way to far forwards out of the saddle and my legs swing back a lot! What advice would everyone give to improve it so my leg is in the correct position and so i no longer lean to far forward . Help me please

 

[HorsesandParrots]

Not much help but my position is bad too! I tend to stand up rather than fold lol and always in front of the movement :S
My leg used to swing back too but i corrected it with a lot of light seat in trot and canter. It doesn't move anymore- maybe worth a try?

 

[MyDogIsAnIdiot]

Lessons? .

Two-point in walk, trot, and canter a lot. You should be able to go through (up and down) transitions without losing your balance. Lots of no-stirrup work. Small grids and bounces when you think that your leg has improved enough.

Mostly lessons though. A good instructor will be able to see what you're doing that is causing your problems and can give you exercises directly targeted to fix those issues.

 

[Imo longman]

Thank you yes I do have lesson with my pony every week he comment s on it a lot about how my lower leg swings thank you I will try a lot of light seat work and no stirrups only problem is is that he is really quirky he rears and bucks and bronks gets excited with jumps in the school so it's really hard for me to practise my position but I guess most showjumping ponies do have quirks thank you x

 

[MyDogIsAnIdiot]

So your instructor comments on your lower leg swinging but doesn't try and give you lessons to get it to stop? Can you try a different instructor?

You don't need to do the two-point stuff with jumps up; you can do it in the school or out hacking . Might stop your pony getting so excited and bucking etc!

 

[gina2201]

Grid work! without stirrups, without reins, then without both!

 

[Imo longman]

He comments on it and has told me to do lots of no stirrup work but he wants to work on control and adjusting to be more safe over the jumps on a course as he is bad and then might stop at a face okay will try that thank you

 

[Imo longman]

Thank you will try those

 

[Mrs G]

I have the exact same issue and yes I have lessons and yes we work on it but it's my default position, very annoying! I do find grids are good - once your in a grid (assuming you meet first part right), there's not too much else to do so you can concentrate on your position, I try to think, "bum like a duck, fold, lower leg forward..." And I keep the grids quite small, so the height is one less thing to worry about.

 

[tashcat]

How high are you jumping? Perhaps you are over exaggerating your position in anticipation of the jump; it can common for some people can react too greatly to a smaller jump.

It might be an idea to practise sitting back in your saddle behind your seat bone, allowing your body to fall naturally into position - it will feel almost as if you're leaning back but it will help you find a good posture. Doing this in walk and work up to canter, before walk, trot and cantering over trotting poles.

Coming forward in your position is like putting your foot on the accelerator, and so finding a deep balanced seat will hopefully keep him more controllable. Balance is very important. The position you describe yourself to be in, sounds as if you're off balance - too much weight is far forwards. Try some balance exercises at walk and trot, then progress into canter.

When jumping it sounds like you're not folding enough - the importance is not to lean forward (in leaning forward your position is pushed out of place and the legs automatically slip back), but instead to ensure your stirrups are short enough to allow you to bend your legs. Then also be sure to allow a bend in your hips, so you're not straight up. Using the muscles in your lower and upper legs to hold on to the saddle should keep you in correct position, whilst bending your hips but keeping your weight further back should stop you leaning too much forward. Make sure you still bring your hands forward so the horse can jump, and not be held back.

Now try the position in halt. Keep practising until you can do it smoothly and it feels right. Then try for a few paces in walk. When that is perfected, try trot and then canter. When you feel confident jumping with the position, bounces will help you to keep practising.

Don't worry where you are now - everyone has problems with their jumping: I spent years with ballerina toes for example!! Just think about how much effort and determination you've put in and how great your position will be afterwards

 

[ester]

He comments on it and has told me to do lots of no stirrup work but he wants to work on control and adjusting to be more safe over the jumps on a course as he is bad and then might stop at a face okay will try that thank you

If your mount isn't one you can work on your position on some schoolmaster lessons on one that is? Your saddle might not be helping too.

 

[charlie76]

Got any pics? You prob have your stirrups too long.

 

[Dusty85]

Sounds stupid but I used to try to imagine squatting and sticking my bum backwards.... seemed to help!

And it got a lot better once I had changed to a mono flap XC saddle..

 

[ponies are forever]

I find going over trot and canter poles in a forward position (bum in saddle, slightly leaning forward and allowing hands to move up neck) helps a lot. I used to be quite unbalanced but with practice I have improved - I hope you do too!

 

[Elbie]

Sounds stupid but I used to try to imagine squatting and sticking my bum backwards.... seemed to help!

And it got a lot better once I had changed to a mono flap XC saddle..

I remember someone on HHO saying the jump position is like you are squatting to pee on a toilet you really don't want to sit on!

I would second riding in walk, trot and canter in your jump position. I had a lesson with a jump instructor once who said you should be able to do a lap of the arena in each pace, on each rein without sitting back down/loosing balance. It's all creating new muscle memory.

I have to practice this for my position for dressage, but standing in a 2 point position, not jumping position. Really helps identify where your weight is, where it should be etc

 

[marmalade76]

Sounds stupid but I used to try to imagine squatting and sticking my bum backwards.... seemed to help!

This, plus get your stirrups up and concentrate on keeping your heels down, push your weight right down into them.

 

[Luci07]

Grid work. Good gymnastic work for the pony and excellent for you to improve your position.

 

[Kat]

I remember someone on HHO saying the jump position is like you are squatting to pee on a toilet you really don't want to sit on!

That'd be me!

One of my old instructors used the analogy when working on my position and it really helped me get the feel of a correct jumping position whereas I had been just sort of standing up.

You need to get your stirrups nice and short to do it. Forget the old "stirrups up two holes for jumping" you need to go up more like four or six. Practice off the horse, and even on the toilet to get the feel of sticking your bum out rather than leaning forward.

I think calling it a forward position or a fold is quite unhelpful imagery as you need to concentrate on pushing your bum backwards and only your hands go forward.

 

[Bernster]

Really helpful KK. I find 'bum back hands forward' helps me. I tend to stand up in my stirrups although with the horse I have now, my position is much better as I tend to sit deeper on the entry and have my hands steady keeping her contained into the fence. Less time for me to step up and out of my stirrups liked used to.

Def agree with lots of practice without the jumps. It may seem tedious but if you've got a default position and a slightly tricky horse I think you'd be better going back a step and focussing on poles and flatwork/balance. Not as exciting but it would set you up so much better when you do go back to jumping. If you're leaning forward too much you'll topple off pretty easily!

That'd be me!

One of my old instructors used the analogy when working on my position and it really helped me get the feel of a correct jumping position whereas I had been just sort of standing up.

You need to get your stirrups nice and short to do it. Forget the old "stirrups up two holes for jumping" you need to go up more like four or six. Practice off the horse, and even on the toilet to get the feel of sticking your bum out rather than leaning forward.

I think calling it a forward position or a fold is quite unhelpful imagery as you need to concentrate on pushing your bum backwards and only your hands go forward.

 

[Elbie]

That'd be me!

One of my old instructors used the analogy when working on my position and it really helped me get the feel of a correct jumping position whereas I had been just sort of standing up.

You need to get your stirrups nice and short to do it. Forget the old "stirrups up two holes for jumping" you need to go up more like four or six. Practice off the horse, and even on the toilet to get the feel of sticking your bum out rather than leaning forward.

I think calling it a forward position or a fold is quite unhelpful imagery as you need to concentrate on pushing your bum backwards and only your hands go forward.

Still makes me chuckle KK! My instructor has a good way of explaining things that really stick. I can still recall her shouting "put your bum away, I don't want to see it!" when I was rising trot with my arched back and bum poking out behind.

I agree that forward position/fold is unhelpful as you are doing a lot more than just folding.

 

[Jnhuk]

Things that have helped me:

Stand on a edge of a low step or plank and let your heels sink lower whilst keeping your balance. Do this upright first then in your normal jumping position and you will find that you probably will fall forward so use it find out where you need to be to keep your balance.

Also things like really shortening your stirrups and altering the pattern of rising and sitting trot eg sit for one step and rise for two and as your balance improves increase the time you are standing in the stirrups. Also do this in canter.

 

[muddy_grey]

My ideas have already been covered but I thought I would add to make sure you use a neck strap when you are practicing in 2 point. Then if you loose your balance you are less likely to use your reins to get it back.

I also agree that the terminology that is often use to teach people is often unhelpful and makes it sound like you should be getting you top forward. This is wrong and if anything puts more weight over the horses shoulders which makes it harder for them. Over small fences you don't really need to be in a "jumping position" as long as your bum is out of the saddle. Think more 2 point than jumping. As the fences get bigger the horse comes up to you as it takes off which brings you closer to the horse if that makes sense (I didn't say I had found a better explanation!).

If your horse is quick/keen to jump then start off with 2 point on the flat and then more onto poles then tiny fences/raised poles. Some times doing this a few times a week can help chill them out too.