Showjumping Skylla?

HufflyPuffly

HufflyPuffly

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Skylla thankfully seems to approve of mums event saddle, so more jumping happened :lol:!

She is as green as grass but quite enthusiastic about it :D, lots of over jumping still (unfortunately the comedy jumps were not captured on film ;)), but she's definitely getting the idea! She is also still uber keen on the idea of flying changes :lol:, not quite captured on film but she is very happy to do them which is nice. Think she's just in competition with Topaz, as although Topaz jumped bigger her changes were not actually as good as the precocious baby horse :lol:!

[video=youtube_share;j2sKETS7MRI]https://youtu.be/j2sKETS7MRI[/video]
[video=youtube_share;A-3lR4MYlco]https://youtu.be/A-3lR4MYlco[/video]
[video=youtube_share;p8K47whNET4]https://youtu.be/p8K47whNET4[/video]

Not quite got the idea that this was actually only a cross and not top of the wings :lol:.
28467685_762181283967734_840656478265777054_n.jpg

28472237_762181287301067_8699636032719529037_n.jpg


However did start to get the idea:
28467622_762181313967731_7145553459637527667_n.jpg

28276973_762181340634395_1863809910138381221_n.jpg


So jumping people, what can I do about my wayward lower leg? Now I know riding in my muckboots is not ideal (it was chuffing freezing and they are warm is my excuse :o), so will put some proper boots on next time, but any other tips? I will also make more effort to give more with my hands as I look a little restrictive from the pics :).

Ta :) x
 
hehe I have ultra short leathers on my jumping saddle :p had to go shorter when I swapped to ali stirrups because they are so much taller than normal stainless ones :o

It looks a bit like you're almost reaching for your stirrups instead of being able to fold in balance with your foot and lower leg stable underneath you, that's all. I think if you can hitch them up a bit you'll find it easier to keep the contact softer too, though it didn't look bad esp considering her enthusiastic approach! Nice that she's enjoying her work.
 
She looks very keen. Would definitely shorten the stirrups a good amount (I'm thinking 2 or 3 holes). Really think about getting the weight through the ball of your foot and down into the heel whilst keeping toes pointing forwards. I'd do a lot of changing from standing to jump position on the flat too to strengthen the muscles required to stabilise the leg
 
Thanks both, that all makes sense, I am so rusty at this jumping lark lol! Will dig some midgit leathers out and do some light seat work :eek3: I can hear my legs and core protesting already :lol:!

Think I've spoilt myself with my lovely dressage saddles ;)...
 
Daft question but what stirrups are you using, i recently made the switch from flexi's to composite ones and have found the difference remarkable. However yes i would agree about shortening 2 holes at least.

Also i would use a neck strap if you dont want to put on a martingale, just gives you something to aim for when releasing your hands a little if you are feeling worried in your balance. But i would think sorting the leg will help the hand and practice too, maybe some grid work when you feel she will be able to as it will help her sort her legs out and you can give and just try to maintain the balance.
 
Templebar said:
Daft question but what stirrups are you using, i recently made the switch from flexi's to composite ones and have found the difference remarkable. However yes i would agree about shortening 2 holes at least.

Also i would use a neck strap if you dont want to put on a martingale, just gives you something to aim for when releasing your hands a little if you are feeling worried in your balance. But i would think sorting the leg will help the hand and practice too, maybe some grid work when you feel she will be able to as it will help her sort her legs out and you can give and just try to maintain the balance.
Click to expand...

They are just cheapy composite ones, they are nice but I actually prefer the Awantec ones I have on her dressage saddle. I've never managed to get on with neck straps, in the moment I always forget about them :o, think that says a lot about my ability to think in the moment :lol:!

Grid work is a god shout, our school is a bit small, but I should be able to get a few in :).
 
In a couple of your pics it appears that the saddle is flipping up at the back. That will not help either of you to balance and you may end up with a sore horse. Did the saddle fitter watch you ride and jump?

I agree with the others re. your stirrup length, up a few holes, when you're going over a fence concentrate on heels down and keeping your lower leg at the girth until it becomes more natural.
 
Wheels said:
In a couple of your pics it appears that the saddle is flipping up at the back. That will not help either of you to balance and you may end up with a sore horse. Did the saddle fitter watch you ride and jump?

I agree with the others re. your stirrup length, up a few holes, when you're going over a fence concentrate on heels down and keeping your lower leg at the girth until it becomes more natural.
Click to expand...

Saddle isn't moving no, not sure where you're seeing that? Skylla is very particular about saddle fit, so she can judge the best, I don't tend to have a saddle fitter at the yard every time I ride no :rolleyes3:...

Stirrups will be going up next time :).
 
AlexHyde said:
They are just cheapy composite ones, they are nice but I actually prefer the Awantec ones I have on her dressage saddle. I've never managed to get on with neck straps, in the moment I always forget about them :o, think that says a lot about my ability to think in the moment :lol:!

Grid work is a god shout, our school is a bit small, but I should be able to get a few in :).
Click to expand...

I find the same with neck straps, but i find even if you don't actually catch hold its still a point to release towards was more what i meant. Or put a plait in the mane and try and think that you want to touch it with your hands as you go. I'm terrible and just release my rein, so find i have to get it all back in the next couple of strides to have the same thing happen at the next fence.
 
Whack the stirrups up about 4 holes, grab the mane, and ride out of your angles (ankle, knee, hip) with a flexed thigh and you should give a pretty good impression of a jumpy person :-)
 
AlexHyde said:
Saddle isn't moving no, not sure where you're seeing that? Skylla is very particular about saddle fit, so she can judge the best, I don't tend to have a saddle fitter at the yard every time I ride no .
Click to expand...

There is no need to be sarcastic is there?

How do I know how many times you've jumped and how long it is since you had the saddle fitted?

The second photo in particular - the saddle is lifting at the back. If you zoom in and compare to the 3rd photo it is clear. If the saddle flips up then it will affect your balance and it will slap back down on the horse.
 
Ah something to aim at, that might work Templebar! I am also a let go'er normally :o Topaz and now Skylla take full advantage ;) more practice needed!

Excellent stuff Cortez, seems stirrup length is the theme!
 
Wheels said:
There is no need to be sarcastic is there?

How do I know how many times you've jumped and how long it is since you had the saddle fitted?

The second photo in particular - the saddle is lifting at the back. If you zoom in and compare to the 3rd photo it is clear. If the saddle flips up then it will affect your balance and it will slap back down on the horse.
Click to expand...


Apologies for being sarcastic, but thought the comment about the saddle fit fairly bizarre... I didn't ask, and you chose to point out something that isn’t happening (the saddle is not lifting) but failed to spot the major issue of the saddle slipping back?

If you would like I can detail why it is a pretty much spot on fit wise for her, but it's not really relevant to this post.
 
Cortez said:
Whack the stirrups up about 4 holes, grab the mane, and ride out of your angles (ankle, knee, hip) with a flexed thigh and you should give a pretty good impression of a jumpy person :-)
Click to expand...

sorry but this made me chuckle :D

I thought she looked a bit keen on the vids last night :) not a bad thing but wondered if she would be better with a bit more to think about grid/poles wise :)
 
ester said:
sorry but this made me chuckle :D

I thought she looked a bit keen on the vids last night :) not a bad thing but wondered if she would be better with a bit more to think about grid/poles wise :)
Click to expand...

Trying to cultivate the keen'ness as despite her boldness she is a bit wimpy about jumping ;), apt to say 'can't' if it gets too tricky, however now the nights are getting lighter we can start doing more and get her more confident (the rushing is anxiety at the moment). I did poles the day before to get her eye in, she thought launching over all of them was the aim :rolleyes3:, begrudging normal trotting happened eventually lol, she is so like Topaz was at this age :eek3: god help me!
 
Haha, he was super careful jumping, I think I can count the number of times we took a pole in 10 odd years on one hand. But poles on the floor were a pointless irritation and waste of space.

If I let him do poles on the lunge at times it was like a freestyle competition of how many ways you could navigate the poles by jumping a few at a time, or kicking them out the way- and we'd get faster each time. Gave up on that mostly ;) .
 
AlexHyde said:
Skylla thankfully seems to approve of mums event saddle, so more jumping happened :lol:!

She is as green as grass but quite enthusiastic about it :D, lots of over jumping still (unfortunately the comedy jumps were not captured on film ;)), but she's definitely getting the idea! She is also still uber keen on the idea of flying changes :lol:, not quite captured on film but she is very happy to do them which is nice. Think she's just in competition with Topaz, as although Topaz jumped bigger her changes were not actually as good as the precocious baby horse :lol:!

[video=youtube_share;j2sKETS7MRI]https://youtu.be/j2sKETS7MRI[/video]
[video=youtube_share;A-3lR4MYlco]https://youtu.be/A-3lR4MYlco[/video]
[video=youtube_share;p8K47whNET4]https://youtu.be/p8K47whNET4[/video]

Not quite got the idea that this was actually only a cross and not top of the wings :lol:.
28467685_762181283967734_840656478265777054_n.jpg

28472237_762181287301067_8699636032719529037_n.jpg


However did start to get the idea:
28467622_762181313967731_7145553459637527667_n.jpg

28276973_762181340634395_1863809910138381221_n.jpg


So jumping people, what can I do about my wayward lower leg? Now I know riding in my muckboots is not ideal (it was chuffing freezing and they are warm is my excuse :o), so will put some proper boots on next time, but any other tips? I will also make more effort to give more with my hands as I look a little restrictive from the pics :).

Ta :) x
Click to expand...

If you up your stirrups a few holes you'll find it easier to put your weight in your heels and therefore your leg more secure.

Also - hard but good... stand up in your stirrups whilst walking and trotting around (in balance - no weight on reins) and your legs will super strenghten!
 
alexomahony said:
If you up your stirrups a few holes you'll find it easier to put your weight in your heels and therefore your leg more secure.

Also - hard but good... stand up in your stirrups whilst walking and trotting around (in balance - no weight on reins) and your legs will super strenghten!
Click to expand...

Boo my legs and core are not happy with you lot :lol: ;), though a good hing to work on during interval training with the fatty hippo that is Topaz :).
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
What Cortez said, and have you thought about a breastplate - as to me the saddle looks like its a little too far back (in my - infinitely - rubbish opinion)
Nice popping from Skylla :)
Click to expand...

Thought I'd see without the breastplate first, but yes saddle did migrate back without, she is such a funny shape most saddles are apt to go backwards :o.

Skylla was good, jockey needs work ;).
 
AlexHyde said:
Saddle isn't moving no, not sure where you're seeing that? Skylla is very particular about saddle fit, so she can judge the best, I don't tend to have a saddle fitter at the yard every time I ride no :rolleyes3:...

Stirrups will be going up next time :).
Click to expand...


I think the lady meant when you had the saddle fitted...
 
Bernster said:
Happy face. She makes a nice shape and looks like she is having a lot of fun!
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:) yes now she sort of knows what to do shes quite enthusiastic :), love her neat little knees :).


Peregrine Falcon said:
I think the reason your stirrups look long is that you've actually lengthened them in an attempt to fool us she hasn't grown taller! :D

She looks like she's enjoying herself. :)
Click to expand...

:lol: a cunning plan! It's only coz shes jumping sooo big she looks bigger ;)...
 
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