Jumping, thanks for all the advice

[Quartz]

I have written at least two posts on here about my lack of jumping skills and controlling my horses speed!!! Well I took everything on board and gave it another go today, just a little jump to kind of go back to basics. Well I think it was better, a. I stayed on, b. I followed his mouth more when jumping and c. it was a nice gentle pace. However any comments on my position when jumping greatly appreciated, it all helps!!! I am attempting to attach a video so fingers crossed it works!!! I have used the direct link code from photobucket hope thats right.

http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac160/quartz85/Quartz/?action=view&current=littlejump.mp4

 

[JenHunt]

glad you've got some confidence back!
I think the pace is good on your vid, I just think you look a little unbalanced which might make the speed feel a bit more hairy if you know what I mean. When you're cantering round try to sit up and do half halts to help keep him off his forehand. That will help the corners be easier and help control the speed more.
My instructor had me counting out 4 strides recently. So as you canter round you count (out loud) 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4 etc etc. It helps to keep your rhythm and you end up coming into the jump on a better stride somehow.
I think you're doing a good job following his mouth, I would just say that you could maybe fold a bit more over the fence - but don't think of folding, think of keeping your head at the same level, and you're hips are closing to stay with the horse coming up towards you (does that even make sense??! )

well done, keep up the good work!

 

[Honey08]

Glad you're feeling happier. Don't over jump - even small fences can leave to boredom..

It looked good generally. The speed was still quite quick. You could slow the pace a bit, but still keep the power. It looked like you weren't coming in totally straight, but that was hard to see really - I could be wrong. The position looked fine to me. You could fold a bit more (if we're being really picky) but don't worry about it.x

 

[Quartz]

Great advice everyone. I need to practice my half halts with him so he is not too much on his forehand, just haven't quite got the hang of it yet!! Thursday I am thinking of doing half halts with canter poles maybe on the floor?? And yes you are right I am not straight as I was supposed to be jumping it from an angle, so coming through the cones on the left and jumping it travers (in French) guess that is at an angle in English. Then doing the same on the right hand. Sorry should of said that in my explaination!!! Also I find folding when jumping very hard as I tend to over do it and end up jumping before him, again practice practice practice! Thanks for taking the time to look at the video and comment I really appreciate it.

 

[Honey08]

Its better to be slightly behind the movement than in front - that would make you unstable, fall off easier, and be a hinderance to the horse as it takes off. Its also to do with confidence. Just make sure you're not crashing on his back and yanking his mouth as a result (you weren't!).

Perhaps better to leave the coming in from an angle etc until you are really sure you've cracked the basics and got everything going right again? Stick to straight approaches and getting the speed and rhythm right. Angles could lead to unbalanced jumps, run outs and falls if its not going well.

 

[Quartz]

I completly agree with you about leaving the angle jumps till later, I also read this in a book about jumping. However, we started off today with straight forward jumping just to try to see if I can learn to not pull on his reins while jumping (balance issue, and speed control). So it all went well, followed his mouth with my reins, my balance slightly better and sponged the reins which seemed to work. Also was not as far forward as usual, I usually jump before him literally!!! Then my instructor wanted me to try the angle jumping again. Well I stayed on so thats something, but there is still loads of work to do, I am taking everyones comments on board and will be working on them. Hopefully we will come on well together!!!