What things do you think about when jumping?

only_me

only_me

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Jumping at home this morning, i thought about the following things before jumping each fence : quality of canter, making sure my shoulders where back and fold from hips instead of my waist, how soft he was, making sure i wasnt hanging on to inside rein (handbreak!), if we were straight and if on correct stride.

Xc, all i think about is next fence, do i need to shorten/collect a bit more for it!

Do i think about too much SJ? I found it so difficut to try and even today when i was really only concentrating on folding from hips and LL position there was so much else to think about!!

What goes through your head when you SJ or XC? :)
 
at the moment all i think about is Taz's canter, is he going forward enough, am I sat in the saddle or in light seat, and counting out my strides, I am a bit of a chicken jumping, have slowly built up from 50cm to 85 cms over the last 6 months, so i try to block out thoughts of omg that fence is huge when really its not.
 
For me there's three things - (1) the impulsion and rhythm of my canter, (2) getting a good turn and correct approach, and (3) giving with my hands as this is what I struggle with most. Then there's also the fleeting thoughts that flash through my mind, mostly rude words when things haven't gone quite right!
 
the most important things that i think about is the canter, is it too fast/too slow, impulsion etc and seeing the strides, i can usually see them but my horse LOVES to take out one or two strides out or can sometimes see some that i can't :rolleyes: so i just have to remember my half halts but at the same time some squeezes as if you pull him back too much he will happily jump from a standstill.
 
I usually think Ben maher, Marcus ehning. That helps me sit up and keep my hands low. Other than that it depends on the horse I'm on, often things like straightness particularly after the fence and making sure they are 100% off my aids.
 
On my mare - I don't usually have time to think of much other than were the next fence is :p

Other than that - breathe and try and atleast look half pretty over a fence :o
 
Mainly quality of the canter and making sure that regardless of whether or not I see a stride or not, I MUST give with my hands in the last few strides and put my leg on.
 
Pretty sure I don't think about anything consciously other than where I am going.

The riding bit just seems to happen?!! Maybe I do but I'm not aware of it. Ill let you know tomorrow night!!
 
Clinging on / not dying / forwards forwards forwards / what's on tv later?

In pretty much that order :p
 
A very good friend of mine told me the best advice, if in doubt just kick on (oh & remember to breath!) best advice I have ever had lol :o :D
 
I normally try and concentrate on keeping the canter the same other than that I can never really remember thinking about anything! particularly if its somewhere big or important which is a shame really!
 
I just think...bou-ncy bou-ncy bou-ncy bou-ncy bou-ncy bou-ncy bou-ncy, look at the jump, bou-ncy bou-ncy bou-ncy, straight, bou-ncy bou-ncy bou-ncy bou-ncy, jump. :p
 
Normally before i start... its I can do this, absolutely nothing to be scared of. Then turn into the jump and its....ohhh noooo why am i doing this I'm going to die. Although if i fall off when i get back on I suddenly seem to have my brave pants on.
 
Impulsion, line to jump, straightness of horse and allow over the jump, i only count the last few strides to the jump or look for the related distance im doing, if it goes pear shaped look up sit up and kick on .
 
-sit still and don't push him out of his rhythm
-keep the contact
-power not speed
-aim for the middle of the jump

and most of the time:
-OMG that jump looks huge
-$hit I totally cocked up my striding :D
 
Pretty much ride the corner, sit up and leg on. I can afford not to breathe for a SJ round ;)

I haven't done a proper round for ages but remember everything coming up pretty darn fast last time so Im focused on the course and any odd lines as well as the above.
 
Never been particularly brave or good at jumping, having read your replies I know why! Don't seem to think of anything, brain goes blank and legs go to jelly :rolleyes:
 
Its interesting to read your replies, a few things appear to be a common thought!

Suppose same could be said for dressage, the more i learn and working at higher levels (for us!) i find in a dressage test im preparing the movements more and becoming more accurate even without having ridden the test before!
 
Usually the canter and slipping the reins/giving my hand, and if there is enough space left in my head "Oh my god" or "You idiot you ******ed that up... it's a good job he's a good horse" or "keep your lower leg on" and maybe "why am I doing this".

But... I always end the session with a big smile and a big pat (for the horse :D)
 
I just think about the canter, I find that if the canter is good then we meet fences well and my position happens without worrying about it.
 
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