Showjumping position

[Bibiandlove]

Any tips on improving my showjumping position? I keep falling behind even when I'm jumping (aka whilst I'm in the air). I cant seem to know when the horse is going to jump a long distance or a close one either. But my main concern is my position. I look like I'm standing and my reach is really bad. How can I give better reach and be more forward in my position?

 

[greenbean10]

Gridwork! Have someone on the ground to help and ideally ride something that'll just jump straight through the grid (so you don't need to kick or pull!).

Soften your hands and think bum back instead of standing up in your stirrups. Stay soft through the grid and allow the movement of the horse to sort out your position - less is more!

 

[SibeliusMB]

In addition to grid work:

- make sure your stirrups are short enough. If you jump on the same length you flat, you probably need to shorten. Long stirrups don't give you a secure enough foundation in your lower leg.

- do lots of work on the flat (walk, trot, and canter) in the two point position. Start slow with short periods and build up over time. This will help build the leg/core strength you need. Supplement this with leg and core specific workouts at the gym or at home (bodyweight exercises are fine, no need for equipment).

- drop the stirrups and work on the flat without irons (again starting with short periods and building endurance over time). Walk, trot (rising and sitting, rising is an added challenge) and canter. This helps to strengthen and stabilize your lower leg, which is your foundation in the jumping/two pount position. I usually find it easiest to pull the stirrups/ leathers off the saddle entirely, but work up to that incrementally.

The two point/ jumping position is about closing your hip angle and bringing the upper body slightly forward...you only need to close that angle 30 or so degrees and allow the horse to jump up to you, and close it the rest of the way. Closing it too much yourself leads to ducking, not closing it leads to you basically standing in your stirrups over the fence and getting left behind on the landing. That leads to pulled rails.

In the short term, ensure those stirrups are shortened properly and I recommend using a neck strap. Holding the neck strap over the fence will prevent you from inadvertently hitting your horse in the mouth on the landing side, and should help keep you from falling back so far.

 

[Bibiandlove]

I've just had back surgery and I cant do leg or core exercises anymore because of the fact that I have metal rods in my spine. Is there anything else I can do to improve the muscle growth there?

 

[SibeliusMB]

Given your situation I would recommend talking to a sports physio. They should be able to help develop a plan to strengthen those areas that take your circumstances into account. Grids and short stirrups and neck straps are all very useful tools, but the reality is if someone is weak in their lower leg and core, they will always struggle to some degree with the jumping position even with excellent feel/timing over the fence.

 

[Bibiandlove]

tysm! ?