Tips for getting my lower leg underneath me when jumping

R

RedVendetta

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 April 2008
Messages
1,365
Location
Cheshire, UK
Visit site
I dont seem to do this at home, but particularly at shows my lower leg shoots out behind me when Im going over a jump (see pic), which doesn't seem to hinder me or the horse but I figure it can't be a good thing as it doesnt give me a particularly secure seat?
Any tips or advice greatly appreciated... or should I just leave things well alone as we're doing great at the moment and my horse doesn't seem to mind.... plus my instructor never mentions my jumping position being bad or need changing particularly?? Oh, and from the pics I have I seem to do it much more in jump offs than in a first round? Confused.... or am I just being paranoid?

MaccShow18thMay023.jpg
 
Looks to me like you are gripping with your knee and pivoting on it rather than folding from the hip and putting your backside out behind you, if that makes sense? It is probably a tension thing at shows - try concentrating on putting your weight through your heel if you can (I know I would be incapable of thinking of such things and remembering a jumping course!)
 
Yeh I think that has something to do with it - total lack of concentration and nerves leading to tension but I think you're right, I def grip with my knee! Hmmm Ill try and think about it next time Im in a jump off and speak to my instructor and ask if I do it at home (cos I dont think I do!!)
 
Hate to say it - but look at your sig pics....the far left one doesn't look like it's at a comp and you are doing it a bit there....

Other things to try are shorter stirrups (though yours don't look overly long) and to be aware it may be the saddle. I tried a new saddle the other day and I lost my lower leg behind me over every fence - it was the saddle as I don;t do it in other styles.
 
saddle spray stuff that glues your lower leg down for shows. then you wont do it or its harder until you can work it out!!! brill for going xc with if you get nervous and have a wobbly leg as well!
 
Well I had the same make and type of saddle on my old horse and I did it with her as well so that would make sense. No the one on the left of sig isnt a competition but it was first time Id jumped him XC (and first time he'd done solid jumps) so was bound to be lots of tension! Maybe I do it at home and no one has told me
shocked.gif
Will speak to instructor! I don't think I need to shorten my stirrups as I ride quite short. think it is an old habit and maybe its showing up more on new(ish) horse?
Thanks for your input
grin.gif
much appreciated
 
[ QUOTE ]
saddle spray stuff that glues your lower leg down for shows. then you wont do it or its harder until you can work it out!!! brill for going xc with if you get nervous and have a wobbly leg as well!

[/ QUOTE ]

What's the saddle spray? Never heard of it?! Sounds useful!! I don't get particularly nervous (not since the hypnotherapy I had) but I think I definitely become tense in my body at shows as I always have a dull muscle ache the next day!
 
i use sporty haft spray. just spray onto saddle and it increases the friction between you and the saddle so you can sit it and stops legs slipping. i used it when my wb jumped everything at about 8ft high and i went around 2ft higher!! held me in absolutely brill stuff especially on a spooky youngster. just wipes of when done.
 
Sporty Haft Spray? I will look it up. Thanks
grin.gif


I could use those velcro things to tie my stirrups to my girth when Im practising... that will sort me out. Better not use baling twine like we use to in the 'old days' lol
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
saddle spray stuff that glues your lower leg down for shows. then you wont do it or its harder until you can work it out!!! brill for going xc with if you get nervous and have a wobbly leg as well!

[/ QUOTE ]

What's the saddle spray? Never heard of it?! Sounds useful!! I don't get particularly nervous (not since the hypnotherapy I had) but I think I definitely become tense in my body at shows as I always have a dull muscle ache the next day!

[/ QUOTE ]

I always use a little leather grease/ointment on my boots, (just on the part that boot toches saddle). It really works!
wink.gif
Gets my lower leg actually "glued". Feels slippery at the beginning but, after a few seconds of rubbing, it gets sticky.
 
Am watching this post with interest as I do this too - and am very embarrased about it! Can anyone please tell me why it is totally acceptable for pure show jumpers though - I realise that perhaps they dont need such a secure seat as XC riders but it is not something that is looked down on in SJ circles!
 
Legs always move. The less the body is moved forward at the jumping moment, the less the legs will move to the back. So, it´s important to keep a good body position on the saddle. Eventers do so more than SJs; true, they need a more secure seat.
 
I love eventing!! Used to be an eventer some years ago. Now I returned to working horses (SJ) after some years away, and a bit out of shape.
I always tried to be "sticked" to the saddle and my horse, when jumping up & down hills, water, hard fences, etc... Didn´t move my body so much
 
[ QUOTE ]
Am watching this post with interest as I do this too - and am very embarrased about it! Can anyone please tell me why it is totally acceptable for pure show jumpers though - I realise that perhaps they dont need such a secure seat as XC riders but it is not something that is looked down on in SJ circles!

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry for being confused but I am.... do you mean its acceptable for Showjumpers to have the bad habit I have...? Im not classing myself as a showjumper BTW ...I only do RC and a bit of BSJA when Im feeling brave!
 
This position of the lower leg is usually from going in front of the movement - as you noticed yourself you do this more in a jump-off where the speed is greater and you are probably excited and 'jump for the horse' more than usual. On all your pics you are in front of the movement.
My advice would be that, instead of using sprays etc, you practise at home on the flat by taking your stirrups way up (think jockey length) and work balancing your upper body while pushing your legs forward (think seeing tips of your toes in front of your knees). Press your heels down too strongly as it locks your leg in a position and it's anatomically impossible for lower leg to swing back if your ankle is locked downwards and leg pushed forwards (try it!) - it's to do with independent muscle chains.

When you approach the fence, one -two strides in front, push your heels well down and lock your lower leg on the girth. Over the jump just fold in your hips and move your backside backwards.

As to eventers doing it less - they very often stay behind the movement which in turn frequently causes their lower legs trail in front (in direction of the horse's shoulders).

On a second thought - spays etc might actually be helpful if you use them just for feedback i.e. they will keep your lower leg underneath you so you can observe what happens with your body from bio mechanical point of view. Then try to learn to do it without cheating.

Good luck
smile.gif
 
I have this problem too, and but recently instructor said i looked alot more secure and asked what i was doing to keep my leg their, and all i did was think leg/feet pushed forward and it works
laugh.gif
:D
 
the other thing that may "stick" in your thought process is to "stay behind your foot"... ie the same as Sapphire has said.. set up a couple of 2ft fences on the long side, and just practice jumping those, determined to keep your body weight behind your foot... you may struggle over the 2nd one to start with.

The thought process of keeping behind your foot, will stop your leg swinging back, and enable you to keep above your stirrup weight in balance.
 
On all your pics you are in front of the movement.
My advice would be that, instead of using sprays etc, you practise at home on the flat by taking your stirrups way up (think jockey length) and work balancing your upper body while pushing your legs forward (think seeing tips of your toes in front of your knees). Press your heels down too strongly as it locks your leg in a position and it's anatomically impossible for lower leg to swing back if your ankle is locked downwards and leg pushed forwards (try it!) - it's to do with independent muscle chains.

When you approach the fence, one -two strides in front, push your heels well down and lock your lower leg on the girth. Over the jump just fold in your hips and move your backside backwards.


[/ QUOTE ]

This used to be a bad habit of mine too where my legs would swing backwards and I read somewhere that when that happens, it puts your upper body out of balance. This is true as it would take me a good stride after the fence to get in a solid position again, whereas now I have been pushing my weight into my heels on the approach and my lower leg is much more solid and it doesnt move now and I am in balance over the fences. Keeping your weight in your heels on the approach is the answer.
wink.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top