Beginning jumper- Please critique my position!

So, I've only jumped on two different days with Buck over low (about 10") cross poles. The first day I felt okay, leaving the reins slack so I didn't bump him in the mouth, but the second day I experimented with contact...I didn't feel like I bumped him in the mouth, so I think I'm okay!
These pics are from day #2...please share your insight, I want to get better at this!

^This one I lost my balance...oops!^





Thanks Guys! Let me know what I did wrong, and right, too, for that matter!

I think you're off to a good start! I love how your eyes and head are up.
Just a few suggestions:
- bring your stirrups up a couple holes; I think that would really help your lower leg, and you'd find it easier to get out of the saddle.
- Keep your back straight
- Heels down :)

Agree on raising your stirrups a hole or two, but it looks like a great start for your second day! While you're learning, it might help to start with a crest release, where you press your knuckles into the horse's neck, on either side of the mane, about 1/3 of the way up his neck from his withers. This will help you learn to balance over fences and help to keep you from popping him in the mouth if you do loose your balance. Also, practice your two-point position while working on the flat. I'd never guess it was only your second day of jumping!!!

Of course it depends on the individual horse, but on a horse that usually has "happy ears", one way to tell if you've bumped him in the mouth at all is to look at his ears & his overall expression. To me, your guy is telling you that he'd like less pressure on his mouth, which you can do with a simple crest release, like luvmyperch said. You really don't even have to touch your hands to his neck if you don't want to (I don't when I do a crest release), just make sure you bring them forward enough for it to count as a true release.

Thanks so much, I'll try my hardest to remember everything!
My mom said she figured he had his ears off to the side because he was listening to me, which makes sense because he's a very sensitive kind of guy. All the same, I'll try jumping a few times with less rein pressure, or none at all, and see what he does.
Thanks again and keep them coming!

I think you will be able to get the release down a lot more easily if you raise the jump enough so that he actually jumps it. Right now he's just cantering over the x. If you raised it to a bigger x or a low vertical, you will be the feeling for the jump and be able to tell when to release.

I'm a riding instructor so here are what I see.

Stirrups are to long raise 1-3 holes

Your standing in your stirrups so your realy not two-pointing at all. Your at a good start but you really shouldn't be jumping till you have basic training.

Your holding onto his mouth for balance

heels down toe forward not out
The first pic your not even out of the saddle your sitting which isn't good for the horses back.

so go forward a little butt out chest up but not onto his neck so much.

But don't worry your on a good start just have a LONG ways to go :) Good luck and cant wait to see your improvement.

Equestriaan - we started the jumps low to build his confidence. We tried putting one pole across the top of both barrels, but he first balked, then when he finally went over it he smacked it with his legs (he was wearing boots) and almost tripped, so we took it back down for safety reasons and to keep him from thinking he just couldn't do it and every time he goes over, it hurts.
Eventersbabe - thanks! THAT is the kind of advice I need! It is very much appreciated. I'll probably PM you pictures later on.
Oh, in the first picture I wasn't quite ready - he's landing and I kind of flopped. He did one jump that really surprised me - he took off WAY before the jump and I was expecting this little hop...no hop there!
Thanks again...I'd love to hear more!

You look nice to me! I agree raise your stirrups a bit. Your back needs to be straight.

Eventers babe how old are you? You look really young in your avatar? You don't have to tell me your age but are you an adult?

I don't have time for a full critique lol but you should try to get out of the saddle more in some pics and have a flat, not arched, back.