Jumping position

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Hovis_and_SidsMum

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Sorry for the excessive posting but I'm on a conference call and I'm bored!
After my jumping session on monday I'm after some advice about my jumping position. How do i get the right amount of "bend"?
I find either I don't fold enough or more often I fold too much and have balance issues. How can I stop from wobbling forwards?
 
Think of folding rather than throwing yourself forwards, and push your bottom back over the saddle to help maintain your balance. Keep heels down to secure the lower leg.

ETA: This photo illustrates quite well what I mean about keeping your bottom back:

Duffy2DE.jpg
 
Practice taking weight onto your knees and holding your upper body slightly forward every time you ride, in a slight jumping position. You should feel comfortable, and able to hold the position. Obviously don't do this on a spooky part of a hack, but maybe in school when you are cantering, or on hack if in control on a straight bit! Just do it enough to strengthen your core muscles and then sit back in saddle.

Once your muscles are stronger you will be able to hold the forward position more easily. Also practice giving with your hands and arms - the forward position isn't so important over a smaller jump, it's the giving of the hands that helps the horse, and if you can do that without going too far forward you will be more secure in the saddle. Then as jumps get bigger, you will find it all happens more easily.

I am replying to every post at the moment as child off sick and watching tv and I am bored stuck in house....
 
To add to the above, make sure your stirrups are short enough!! If they are too long your centre of balance will be off and you won't be able to get into the natural rhythmn of the jump. It shouldn't be an effort to come up and out the saddle, your natural momentum coupled with short stirrups should just pop you out!
 
Ditto the stirrup length - they should be short enough so u dont have to go back into the saddle, abt 3 to 5 holes shorter than ur normal/dressage length. Seems a lot but help with balance etc.
 
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