What's happened to my lower leg and why won't it do as it's told?

[BeckyD]

Since I've had Ronnie (so just over a year), every time I jump him my lower leg swings back and I throw myself over the jump. Now, I don't understand why I'm doing this. I didn't do it when I tried him out. It's an intermittent problem I have suffered from over the years.

How the heck do I stop it? I can sit here now, visualising doing it properly, I feel what it's supposed to feel like, but you put a jump in front of me and I'm back throwing myself over it. I want to do some XC this year but just don't feel that I'm a safe rider for that because of my jumping - and I'm worried I'm going to unbalance/spoil Ronnie.

Please give me some suggestions to help me stop riding like such a numpty. I jumped last night and was so angry with myself for riding so badly. Yes, I do have lessons and I do get pulled up for it. But still it continues...

 

[madmav]

Could be your lower leg swings back cos you're gripping with your knees. As for throwing yourself over the jump, I do that all the time. Horse's dirty stop is curing me, though. If I'm sitting up and back on approach to fence, no problem. If I anticipate jump, I end up on floor as he will throw in a stop at last minute. The fear of that has worked a treat on me!

 

[BeckyD]

Ah, maybe. My old saddle didn't help me much with my jumping position, new one is a bit better for stopping me from gripping with knees. I bet that's what it is - I do feel like I'm pivoting on my knees a bit. So how do I stop?!

Hmmm dirty stops do put an end to throwing yourself over. Fortunately (and unfortunately) I can trust Ronnie to jump virtually anything, and I think that's why I'm throwing myself over, as I'm wanting to "go" with him. But I'm just going to end up a) dropping the contact and causing him to lose confidence b) coming a cropper big style when he does stop and c) impeding his forehand and making him jump flat.