stirrup length - flatwork vs jumping

Well, I used to put my leathers up about 4 holes. But over the last two years my leathers have crept up - so I probably only go up 1 or two holes now - which is very poor.......
 
I can not say as I have a dressage and jumping saddle. Though I think it used to be 2 0r 3 for SJ and another 2 for XC and galloping
 
four holes!!!! gasp

I put mine up 1 hole and my instructor is trying to get them up 2 but I feel really insecure in the saddle eith them so short!
 
I am not sure as I have a GP and a dressage saddle. But I jump really short, once you get used to it you will feel far more secure.
 
4 or 5. I haven't done much cross country lately, but found it mighty difficult giving my horse a gallop around a field and realised the problem was my too long stirrups - MUCH easier now.
 
i ride out with jumping stirrups cos my horse bucks and generally tw*ts about. but they go down 4 holes for schooling and dressage.
 
4 normally
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I've got very long legs so ride long on the flat
 
6
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and then up another 1 for xc. I like to ride short when I jump, feel more secure and balanced. Like teapot I have long legs so ride fairly long on the flat aswell.
 
I ride really long on the flat too although I have recently put them up a hole for flatwork as my feet were hanging down under his belly which made me look really tall on him!!
 
This has confused me. I could understand altering stirrups to do pure dressage (which presumably would be better if using a dressage saddle) But I can not for the life of me understand why anyone would alter them for routine flatwork & then having a SJ session.
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Am I losing the plot?
 
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But I can not for the life of me understand why anyone would alter them for routine flatwork & then having a SJ session.
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Am I losing the plot?

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Can only answer for myself, but there is no way I could jump in a secure, balanced position using the length of stirrup I do for my flatwork (am talking general gp saddle, they go up even more if I'm going from a dressage to a jumping saddle)
 
usually 2 or 3

depends on what horse im riding and what saddle they have (when i have my lesson on riding scool horses)

on my horse its only 1 as i ran out of holes
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really should put some more holes in! haha
 
That was my point I can understand if you are on a dressage saddle as this would sit you in an entirely different position, then again I would not expect many people to do much jumping in a dressage saddle. Therefore, if you are doing flatwork in the same saddle that you would jump in ie: General Purpose, jumping saddle (exception perhaps for xc ) why would you alter the length of your stirrups whilst doing flatwork. Surely whilst riding a course of fences you are applying your flatwork in between fences & therefore need to have the same leg length as you would to actually go over the fence. Sorry just dont get it.
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don't really know as use two saddles!!

Don't actually change stirrup length on jumping saddle as well it takes too much effort (nylon lined!!) but they are short! at a guess I would say about 6 holes in terms of where my leg hangs in comparison to my stirrup if i do work without them! (normally leg them hang rather than cross over incase I need to take them back in a hurry
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i know its really bad but i jump in the same length of leather as i do dressage! im just more comfortable that way...

although my instructor says you shouldnt start to shorten up for xc just because its xc, you should ride at the length you are comfortable and then your horse will go better!
(hes the one that went the wrong way at badminton after the water last year! lol )
 
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why would you alter the length of your stirrups whilst doing flatwork. Surely whilst riding a course of fences you are applying your flatwork in between fences & therefore need to have the same leg length as you would to actually go over the fence. Sorry just dont get it.
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I would say to this that my dressage flatwork and my jumping flatwork are two very different things. Although essentially for both I want a soft over the back forward thinking horse working into a contact for dressage I want my horse rounder over the back with more elevation and collection. I can get this just about from jumping length stirrups but find it easier to 'hold' together the energy especially for lateral and collected work with a longer and further back lower leg. For jumping I want my leg forward and the ability to bring my weight out of the saddle and balanced as the horse jumps. If i have my stirrups too long when jumping My leg goes back and my weight goes onto the neck. (bad habits that still haven't completly gone)

I suppose it comes down to your level and aim of work. I will very much split mine into the different disciplines as I want a slightly different way of going for each. I suppose its why its so rare to get a horse who excels simulataneously in different disciplines especially at top level. I know you get eventers but how many of them truely excel at all three parts at 3&4* level i think not many at all is the answer....

*wanders off to bed yawning as its well past her bed time
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