Jumping position

[Clodagh]

Suggestions please on getting my son to sit more forwards when hes jumping. He does have lessons but I am giving him one this afternoon - lol, may end in tears (mine?).
Hes 8 and has a whizzy pony with absolutely no front, its like sitting on a pipe cleaner. Until now his somewhat unorthodox style has been fine, he sort of sits up and throws the reins at her, but now the jumps are getting bigger he sometimes catches her in the mouth and we need to try something new.
Thank you

 

[HayleyandBob]

I read somewhere that you could imagine there was a pole on the top hole of the wings so you had to duck under it as you jumped, if you just lean forward you bang ya head

good luck

 

[stacey_lou]

Have you tried putting him in the correct jump positon and getting him to hold this position in trot (this will help him hold himself) then to exercise this get him to tropt around and after every 3 strides go into a light seat for 2 strides to help him find his position him self.
I used to teach our pony club kids this and for them it worked,Also do this myself its go practice for balance and for feeling a stride, then build it up to canter.

 

[stacey_lou]

Think i wrote that wrong if you sit after 2 strides you'd be on the rong diagonal, try 3

 

[arwenplusone]

Try and get the jumping position secure on the flat in canter first if you can.

It sometimes also helps to think of reaching towards the horse's ears when you go over a fence - then you naturally give with the reins.

Failing that, can you get him a lesson with an instructor he might listen to more? Not saying that you aren't up to it but different people give advice in different ways - may help him?

Also, perhaps take him to some showjumping so he can watch the pros. Good luck

 

[emma69]

I would set out some double distance trotting poles and have him come to them in trot, fold and give with the reins over the first and third and sit upover the second. Check his stirrups are short enough, and remind him to bend from the hips not the waist. Another exercise is to do laps of the school in jumping position, having him move his hands to 'give' every few strides while maintaining the position, to ensure the hands are acting independently of the seat. One example I used with a child who would repeatedly sock his pony in the mouth is 'superman', instead of saying fold on take off, I would say 'superman', and he knew this meant to look as tho he was flying, hands to the pony's ears and bum back. It will exaggerate things to start with, but far better they look as tho they are jumping 6' then tone it back down to 2' than to catch the pony in the mouth.

 

[Clodagh]

All very good suggestions, thank you.
Mayflower, I have never taught him before and definately wouldn't do it out of choice!
We have been practising it out on hacks and he can now do it at walk and trot but is struggling with canter.
We are now off (without pony) to a local centre where they have jumping this afternoon...
Thanks all

 

[Peacelily]

if its your son - I'd get someone else to teach them....
it always ended in tears when my mother tried to teach me (both of us) so me and my best friend would swop - her mom would teach me and mine would teach her - we got on a lot better!
frustrating but true..
if you do do it this afternoon - good luck and I hope it all goes well and you are still friends afterwards...

 

[Clodagh]

Thank you all for your suggestions, I wussed out yesterday - too hot you know! - and today he had his third lesson with my new fantastic instructor and bing it all came together, jumping 2'6" like a pro!
She taught him to sit back going into the jump and then a quick snap forward while going over it, pony is smiling from ear to ear. (and so am I, and so is he!).
Bit worried though, I can't jump much higher than that...