Jumpng Style - Help Wanted

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Nikki N

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7 February 2003
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South Africa
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Hey all!

I've got the worst jumping style... my legs are ok, but my upper body is awful. I start the jump slightly forward but as he reaches the top and starts to descend, I sit up (bum out of saddle) so when I've landed I have to slip the reins so I don't jab him in the mouth. My hands are always towards me and not him. Often I just sit up over the whole thing... I never manage to fold and follow his neck with my hands over the jump.

Now before everyone says get an instructor, I have (had several).... none have got me folding and one gave up trying (the others I gave up on).

Please, please help me. I need exercises or "this worked for me" comments from people who have had or taught people with this problem. I do the same thing on all horses I ride - it isn't a horse/saddle problem.

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I have tried - was even worse, think I stiffened up badly due to worry I'd fall off so it was a bad exercise for me... but can see where you are going (make me less dependant on my legs for balance and "teach" my upper body what its supposed to do...

I might try smaller jumps ie 2" or is this too small and of no use?
 
QR

I certainly would not suggest jumping without stirrups as you will prob rely on the reins to balance you.

Best thing to do is really establish your XC seat, practise canter around the arena in this position and then start going over small fences without changing your position. Let the horse move under you, you do NOT need to throw yourself forward. The XC position will help you understand about releasing your seat so that the horse can move underneath you, and if you have soft, flexible hands and elbows then your hands should follow the horse automatically.

Could you get any vid?
 
What if u have a neck strap and hold that when you jump to egt used to being forward?

Or have you tried working on a jumping position on the flat, then slowly introducing poles then a small jump? This was you just have to maintain the position until your used to the feeling over the jump?
 
grids... going into a grid of 3 or 4 jumps in half seat and staying there.. i am terrible for sitting up over jumps but the grids really helped - as does holding a handful of mane halfway up the neck...
 
hiya, yes have got some video - could I email you a clip?

What is XC seat?? Two point? I do ride with long reins - minute I try to pull his head in we spend the rest of the course fighting with each other, so I leave it.

I might try jumping without stirrups and reins - use a neck strap (obviously do all this on the lunge!).
 
Not TOO far forward though! What you are trying to achieve is being very balanced, not relying on the reins at all for balance and a lot of suspension through your hips, knees and ankles - the pic isn't brilliant but it gives you an idea! Note my washing line reins too
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I did practice in what I call two point and found that I do rely on the reins a little in canter (very slight) - but sods law.. as soon as I started practising the position and making a real effort to work on my jumping style again, our arena got harrowed and much to my and the owners dismay - the harrowing ruined the arena .. so a month later we've still no arena - everything has just gone wrong with it lately... might have an arena again in another month - got a grass paddock but ground like concrete so I avoid it.

I'm in South Africa - hence the concrete rather than muddy paddock....
 
what really worked for me, was trotting and cantering round in jumping position for as long as i could hold it without touching his mouth.

once i had established my jumping position and made my legs really strong in that position it was easy from there on. it doesnt matter how small the jump is, its better to practise over small ones, if you cant jump those confidently then you will get even worse over bigger ones.

i agree with the grid work, its brilliant for building up a good position.
 
On a saturday I teach kids of all levels .... I normally get them to pretend there is a pole on top of the uprights and if you dont get down your going to knock yourself out :P


Works a treat for kids *not sure about adults* but if you visualise it, it may well work ...I do agree with most of the above though
 
What works for me is jumping position on the flat, can be painful but really builds up your muscles.

The best tip I had was to give a BIG breath out as you go into jumpnig position. it really helps you to relax and flow over the jump more. I count down bofore the jump so it sounds like, one two three{whoosh} (that was the air leaving my body!)!"!
 
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