XC schooling at Tweseldown with lots of pics

[star]

Took Llewi to Tweseldown on Sunday. Had him 6 months now - done a few logs out hacking, but nothing more. He's 6, but quite green and inexperienced for his age. Was hoping he'd be good as has been hunting with previous owners, but wasn't expecting him to be this good! He was a star. Did everything I asked of him including the sunken road complex, plenty of decent sized drops, water and a couple of the Intro fences which seemed huuuuuge. I haven't jumped since broke my wrist falling off Dan Xmas 2006 and have never really done much XC so my position and technique leaves a bit to be desired. Any constructive criticism welcome - I know my lower leg is wayward and I need to improve my technique and land lighter in the saddle. Now, I just need to teach him to show-jump and I hope I might have my hands on a nice little eventer :biggrin: I think I'm being converted to the dark side - sod the stressage (did I say that?) - XC is way more fun!

Vids here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgxVXRCU54M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P68KlKu0YdM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6baQoh4nlaY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XleTZ11uO2M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyUTQc7SJDI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfDaffzrP2s

my fave pic:


Intro fence








whole album:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/567107363BDMKBH

 

[milz88]

Great pics!! the links aren't working though! Looks like you had fun, and nice horsey!!

 

[star]

think links should work now.

i know the jumps aren't much compared to what lots of you guys are jumping, but i havent jumped for years and never done XC apart from a few jumps on sponsored rides and nothing that big.

if anyone's got any tips to help my position i'd be grateful

 

[AutumnRose]

Glad you had fun, pics are great. once you get the xc bug there's no going back....

 

[rachelh101]

He looks great, I love Tweseldown. I have the same problem with my position jumping with my lower leg slipping back so have started to try to really work on this in lessons. The thing I have found most helpful is my trainer saying to imagine you are kicking 2 footballs forward with your feet, also to have your toes slightly turned out so you cant grip with your knees so much and that you should push your bum back and fold at the hip rather than pivot at the knee and therefore the angle between thigh and calf should decrease rather than increase. Hope this is useful, I've found it has helped me!
Your pony is fab I used to have a welsh D and he was a fantastic jumper

Also think you may find it easier if you shorten your stirrups a couple of holes.

 

[star]

i cant really shorten stirrups in that saddle as it's only a VSD - on the hunt for a decent GP which will help. I do stick my toes out, but I think i tend to throw myself up the neck - I need to think of keeping my lower leg forwards and stick my bum out but it's easier said than done! Will try the football thing though - thanks!