Talk to me about: your jump seat. Pics/tips/hints.

L&B

L&B

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Hiya all, for the first time in my adult life I have finally been blessed with a fantastic jumping partner :) she's a bold 15.2hh arab x appy and I've had her for 3months.
We have competed at our yard and at a local show probably no more than 6times and this is only her second 'season'. Did around 10 shows last season (with old owner) and 1 show with me and yard comps this season.
Although she's a fab girly. I'm out of whack with my technique (previously jumped around at 10/11 years old, 25 now, only jumped during lessons and on friends ponies up until) - my main problem is being ahead of the motion and my lower leg creeping back...
For those of you who love jumping and compete often - can you share with me your techniques? Hints? Tips? How to avoid being infront/lower leg?
Also, if any of you are brave enough, perhaps pictures of your worst jump seats/positions and your best/most proud/tidy?


Before anyone says it: lessons etc etc, of course, I am having lessons and will do til my dying day.
 
If you feel brave enough and the horse is good enough....close your eyes! Then you have to rely on the feeling of the horse rather than what you see

Make sure your stirrups are short enough..... Coil your self up like a spring, heels well down, push lower leg forwards, knee bent, ankles absorbing the movement

Spend time on the flat like this.....standing up independently in the stirrups, light seat and jumping position in all 3 paces....think of the lower leg being forwards and make your ankles 'springy' to absorb the movement!
 
There are always a few things I say to myself over and over whilst jumping:

Heels down
Sit up! Bum in the saddle and 2/3 of the horse infront of me (this is usually my XC mantra!)
I focus on keeping lower leg still and not leaning forwards ( I do this naturally- but if I tell myself not to then I do half as much as I would normally/ make sense ?!)
Instead of leaning forwards over a fence- I tell myself to stick my bum out behind me ( like you're squatting lol)

This usually helps me!

I don't have a school master though so it can difficult concentrating on just me!
 
Thanks for replies brilliant advice!! I suppose just practice practice practice too... hmmm... sticking my bum out behind me might solve the being ahead of the movement thing I guess. Hmm...
 
I also used to be in front of the movement until I had a pony with a very dirty stop. My instructor told me to stay in full seat until you feel the horse lift underneath you, then you fold. Also while the fences are reasonably small, there is no need for you to fold massively, as long as you don't restrict your horses movement. With regards to lower leg, I echo what others have said, ride in your forward seat in all 3 paces until you strengthen your position then you should find it easier
 
Something that really helped with my jumping position was to practice without a pony. Basically stand on the ground with legs horse width apart and in the correct aligment for riding (maybe not where people can see!). Then imagine you are about to jump and adopt the position you would normally assume. If you (like me) are usually in front of the movement with legs swinging back you will feel yourself launch forward and be out of balance. Try again and instead close the knee angle, and visualise bringing your belly button to the (imaginary!) pommel and moving hips backward. This is the correct feeling and you won't feel as if you are going to tip over. Practise on the ground then on a horse in all 3 paces.

Sorry for the essay, I think I got this from an old Mary Wanless article, it really did help to see where I was going wrong though!
 
This thread is really useful! I always feel like jumps come so quickly I just go with it and don't think about my position which is absolutely awful. If I think about trying to be in the right position I get ahead of the movement and its not good when he stops.

Poor horse puts up with loads.
 
You are aiming to have your shoulders in line with your knees, your bum stuck quite far back, a flat back, chin up, heels down (a few strides before the jump and keep them there!) And of course breath...or count/recite the alphabet in time to your horses canter stride whilst approaching the fence..try not to fold before the horse has actually taken off/lifted at the front.
Folding from the waist and look ahead..
Not: legs back, shoulders ahead ( you have then pushed your weight onto his shoulders).you want to be quite low/close to the saddle, no big gaps between your bum and saddle :)
Watch andrew nicholson, fox-pitt or andrew hoy for postition :)
 
I don't really jump, but working on your core stability and balance on the flat will help you with your jumping position!! So lots of no stirrups etc :p
 
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