Leaning forward when jumping advice please

[horses99]

I have an issue with my jumping/ riding position and cannot seem to fix it and wondered if anyone had experienced this and had any tips/ exercises to change it.

whenever I fall off 99% of the time it’s for the same reason that I get in front of the movement when my horse either stops at a fence or chips in later than I anticipate. I know I need to wait to fold etc but I just can’t seem to stop this happening and best case scenario I don’t help the horse jumping and he scrabbles over the fence with me on his shoulder and worst I fall off.

Previously I’ve actually broken my shoulder from this happening when a horse stopped and I just don’t know how to stop this happening or change my position. I know my lower leg could be further back and more secure and to just not fold as much or as soon but after a couple years or so of struggling with this issue I wondered if anyone could give some advice. Maybe not related but I know even on the flat that my shoulders aren’t stable and sometimes ‘swing’ or move too much.

No nasty comments as I said I know my problem and I’m trying to change it ?

TIA

 

[[59668]]

I have the same issue! I am getting better, but literally what I think about is keeping my shoulders back on the approach to a jump, and actually think about not folding...even getting left behind slightly. Safer to be left behind than to get ahead. I'm finding it is getting better.

 

[HeyMich]

I have to tell my son to think about sticking his bum back over the back of the saddle as he folds, otherwise he also ends up on the pony's shoulders, every time! It seems to work...

 

[greenbean10]

Sounds as though you are folding too early because you're not sure of the stride your horse is going on. For this I would do lots of grid work, as you can practise folding at the right time because you know what the stride is. Or use a canter placing pole so you know you have a pole then jump. Trot jumps can also help.

My instructor used to stand in the middle of a circle and have me watch her as I went round a 20m circle with a jump on each side. This completely stops you from anticipating the take off point, and instead you just fold when your horse jumps. Try something like this if possible/safe - don't focus on the fence, focus on something else!

If your horse is regularly chipping in he might not be going forward enough. Do you definitely have enough canter? Ideally you want your horse to pick up earlier instead of chipping in if you don't meet the fence quite right, especially if he is a stopper. Start working on the canter. You want a good, forwards canter that's powered from behind. Shoulders back and drive with your seat and leg!

 

[ITPersonnage]

I had the same problem, my instructor used to shout "toes up the nose" ( horses nose, i.e. legs forward bum back) to stop me hurling my weight onto the horse's shoulders. I think you have to be prepared to fold, but only when then horse jumps. Also agree the canter has to be forward.

 

[Keith_Beef]

Our instructors also make a point of telling us to look at the sky, not at the jump.

 

[milliepops]

I was once told to imagine there was a drop after the fence. That stopped me from getting carried away folding too soon/too far.

 

[Maryann]

I once told a novice friend to put his stirrups up two holes and keep his bum in the saddle and it worked really well for diddy cross country jumps. Just got to do it myself now. . .

 

[Sail_away]

How big are the jumps? Up to 70 not much folding is needed. For most jumps I do, and I do up to 1.10 fairly regularly, I do more of an ‘xc’ position than a show jumper’s fold. It is quicker to get in and out of, and gets you out of a pickle if your horse chips in, because your shoulders are far back enough that you can keep your balance and not get thrown forward. You do need a fair amount of strength in your lower leg, I would practice cantering round in light seat, with your shoulders up and stretching your calves down.
Grid work is good too, set up something that your horse will find easy, then practise your jump position over them. Since the horse finds it easy they can sort themselves out, and you can focus on your jump position. This I found because I always tried to practise my jump position over a single fence or a course, but the constant mental stream of ‘heels down, keep the canter, hold it, wait for the stride, kick now, look to the next jump.... oh I didn’t adjust my jump position’ never worked out.

 

[horses99]

Thanks for the help I have regular lessons with a good trainer and am aware that sometimes the canter lacks power/ impulsion he’s a great horse rarely stops. My position just needs improving jumping around 90cm at the moment I feel grids and remembering some of these phrases will help thank you all