Knee Roll Positioning - flatwork to jumping

[diamondrockharvey]

Hi, I ride in a VSD saddle, mainly hacking (we hack about 30 miles a week) and flatwork but have recently started jumping my mare. We are only jumping the plastic blocks so 3ft, nothing too massive.
I am interested to know how people adjust the removable knee blocks (if they have them) on their saddle between flatwork and jumping - any examples?
I haven't done much jumping for a few years now as I lost confidence on my old pony but am really enjoying it now. I have been putting my stirrups up a couple of holes but wondering if moving the knee blocks would help me with my position? Its just the landing, doesn't feel the most balanced/elegant!
I do have a video but not sure how to post??
Hopefully you can see the pics below?




Thanks,

 

[paddi22]

it looks like that saddle, as it, is doesn't allow you to shorten your stirrups without making your knee go over the top of the current blocks. have you tried jumping without the front blocks and putting your stirrups up another few holes? it's hard to tell from the pics how forward cut the saddle is. if you take the knee blocks out and shorten your stirrups, does your knee go off the front of the saddle or is there enough saddle there still?

From the pics i'd imagine what is happening is that your lower leg is swinging back and you are pivoting on your knee when landing and thats why it feels bad. that stirrup length you have now looks very long, if you could shorten your stirrups and get your heels down and forward more it would give more spring in your knee and you would absorb the landing better. see how it feels if you take the blocks out and shorten a bit.

 

[diamondrockharvey]

Thank you for that. I will try this evening shortening my stirrups more and try without the knee blocks. There would definitely be enough room for me knee without it going over the front of the saddle. I think you are right about my leg swinging back, that makes sense. Thanks so much for such a helpful response!

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Is there any velcro at the back of the saddle flap, at the bottom? If there is, you can buy short fat blocks to put there, which will also help prevent your leg swinging back.

 

[diamondrockharvey]

Is there any velcro at the back of the saddle flap, at the bottom? If there is, you can buy short fat blocks to put there, which will also help prevent your leg swinging back.

No there is no velcro at the back.
I did try taking the front blocks out though and putting my stirrups up 2 holes and I felt much much better! My knee was still back from the front of the saddle and my lower leg was much more stable on landing so I am happy with that. I doubt we will ever jump any higher than 3ft anyway.

I prefer to put the knee rolls back in and lengthen the stirrups for hacking and flatwork though as I find it much more comfortable.
Thank you all for the advice!

 

[diamondrockharvey]

nice pics!

Thank you so much We tend to video and screen shot the video to get better pics!

 

[sbloom]

Knee rolls up and forwards, rotate the bottom further forwards, off the saddle if necessary. Not pretty, and check it won't rub any leather parts etc, but works for your leg position.