Critque horse/rider

Hey everyone,
So I do not event at all, but I introduce my horses to cross country so they are well rounded. I have evented but not anymore, and I have schooled to training. Here is a pic of is doing a step. He is a throughbred/clyde cross. Please critque him as well as me. Even though I do not event, I want some opinions lol

I am no expert, but I can tell you a few things I see. Your lower leg as well as your heels look lovely, that being said, your lower leg seems rather long (as in your stirrups are long). The jump is not high, so that isn't really a big concern, but it is my personal preference to have a shorter stirrup and a lower leg with more angle while riding cross country. Totally my preference, and your position looks way better than mine, so who am I to talk, right? Your eyes are up, which is fabulous! The only other issue I noticed with your position concerns your elbows. You look like they are pointed out, like wings. Rather than bringing your elbows out during your release, try to keep them closer to your sides.

Now, concerning your horse. He is adorable btw. The way he is squatted on his hocks looks like he was launching at the bank, rather than taking it in stride. It looks like he might have tried to stop or hesitated at the base before he changed his mind and decided to try it anyway. His right hind is totally out of the picture, suggesting he is not taking off squarely with both of his hind legs. He does look very focused and interested in what he is doing, which is always good, though.

I hope this was a helpful critique. Great job for trying cross country on occassion. It is very fun. :)

Your stirrups for jumping are actually perfect the only thin is get your horses head at a more long head with his head tucked in if that makes since.

? Can you expand on this? You don't want your horse's head tucked to his chest if he's jumping up to a solid obstacle.

No not to his cheat just slightly in

I disagree with the above - you want a horse to relax over XC and not be tucked in. Overall for the level the OP is doing she looks nice. Agree on the elbows and it looks like the horse took a bit of a long spot, which XC I tend to prefer a hare closer as the horse is usually able to (mine is anyway) tuck and clear it wheras taking long can cause them to get tangled up. Most importantly - know your horse.

For the level the op is at it's a nice pair and nice picture.