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Critique jumping position

13K views 53 replies 25 participants last post by  LemonZeus 
#1 ·
My friend wants me to post this for her... it was her second time jumping in a saddle this year and I personally think she has an almost perfect (nothing is perfect, knack;) seat. She has never had jumping lessons. Never. So, I think she looks awesome....



She can't get her heels down, so, overlooking her heels I think she looks almost perfect. Looking at the jump, rather than looking down (like I do ever so horriblyXD)... so.... what does everyone else think?
 
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#8 ·
She looks pretty good. The thing that jumps out to me is she needs to release. she is holding her hands at the pommel of the saddle, they needs to follow the horses mouth by pushing them up the crest (crest release)

This makes a ton of sense:) Thanks so much! :):D:lol::D:) I was debating the whole getting on your horse's neck thing, when I give tips I say don't lay on a horse's neck, which is true, but leaning over it is different. Thanks. lol.
 
#5 ·
Ditto to what the above poster said...definitely needs a release.

Needs a different saddle too; maybe an AP, as Dressage saddles really aren't for jumping, especially if she is doing this alot on her own.

And ditto to the first poster about her apparel...needs some pants, and better shoes on; Granted, I know I can sometimes get sloppy, and ride bareback in shorts and no shoes everyonce in a blue moon, but I try not to make a habit out of it...nor should any rider, especially someone so young.
 
#10 ·
Thanks everyone for all of the tips. I am the friend that wanted some help. Just wanted to say so everyone knew....

On the first commenter....was the yikes REALLY nessesary? That was my first time in a saddle jumping this year! That made me feel bad. I have a low self asteem anyway, and someone saying I look bad, or talking like I do, makes it so much worse! So just remember next time PLEASE that there is another person on the other side of the computer.

1. I have riding clothes. I dont usually ride in shorts, but I didn't have time to change or else I would have no sunlight for pics. I really wanted to know what position I should be in, not what clothes.

2. That is NOT a dressage saddle. That is a saddleseat cutback (even worse...lol). It is VERY hard to stay in, so I give myself credit just for doing that, because that was the third time ever in my life I had jumped in a saddle. I haven't spent the money I have worked long and hard to save, on a saddle yet, because I JUST got into jumping, in a saddle I mean. Plus, I dont even have a jumper. The horse I was riding is a rocky mountain gaited horse, and tho she likes to jump, she is not made for that.

3. About the position. That is the type of critique I was looking for. Thank you! That is what I wanted. How to improve my position. I already knew what to ride in, and that I need a new saddle. That is the first thing on my list!

4. I have a medical condition called Juvinille Rhemitoid Arthritis. I physically cant get my heals down. I have tried it - belive me!

5. Thanks for the tips on getting the reins on her neck. I will definately work on that! That is the type of pointers I am looking for!

I want to look better when jumping, so to all of you that took the time to give me pointers, thank you very much! I will put everything to use and hopefully be an all around better rider!
 
#11 ·
Hi Jazzy, and welcome!

The things you pointed out in the above post are things that are helpful to let us know originally, otherwise they get commented on. It's just how we are; Correct clothing and correct tack will help and improve anybody; And we want to help :]

Also, the only horses who are 'jumpers' are those competing in jumpers. ANY horse can jump to a degree, so what breed you are riding isn't important. I got the highest in my jumping on a little arab, and they sure aren't built for jumping!

Its great to hear you want to improve and you are definately doing well and on the right track.
 
#12 ·
First I think you are off to a great start. A few things I would point out: first, not wearing long pants is a choice that may lead to sores from rubbing and cuts if you were to fall off but not wearing proper boots can be a safety issue. Without a heel your foot could slide through the stirrup and make it impossible to dismount should you need to.

As for your position I like your back, and I like that you are looking ahead. I would advise shortening your stirrups and try to avoid pinching with your knees (this causes your lower leg to swing back making your heels not being down even more exaggerated) As has been said work on your release, your hands should really be 6-8 inches further up your horses neck. While you are learning a release plant your hands about halfway up his neck and grab some hair to keep them there. This will force your arms to follow the natural movement his neck makes over the jump so you will learn how to eventually release without planting your hands.

Also what type of bit are you using? It is hard to tell but looks like it might be a harsh bit and that combined with a new jumper without an effective release may give him a hard hit in the mouth with each jump and teach him to be sour about jumping. If a harsh bit is not necessary I would jump in a snaffle.

Good luck and keep working at it!
 
#13 ·
I was going to say it was a saddleseat saddle, but I bit my tounge and now I feel like I should have said something. Personally, I really like that your position is open and you aren't folded on to her neak. I originally thought you could be back over the seat more but when you consider that it is a saddleseat saddle, they sit further back so it makes sense where you are positioned. And your Heels are just fine the way they are, as long as they are secure and not to a point where they could slip through the stirrup then there shouldn't be a problem.

I think your horse could benefit from some trot poles to help her with...well I'm having trouble with words at the moment, but to help so she doesn't jump too early, if that makes sense.

....

Now that that's done, welcome! And good on you for defending yourself! You should be very proud of what you have accomplished.
 
#14 ·
Welcome aboard Jazzygirl!

I agree with the poster who stated that it really doesn't matter what your horse's breed is; If your girl likes to jump, you can continue with her, and she could even show down the line if you'd like too...not every horse in the show ring is a bonifide 'show-jumper' by breed...

Good luck with her...you really are off to a good start :D That you are jumping even with your limitations is fantastic, hopefully more riders see this and be brave and try different things like you are!
 
#16 ·
The shoes I have on DO have a heel. I never ride without a heel - EVER! I know it is hard to see, but they to have a heel. Plus, as I said before, I hardly ever ride in shorts. That is not something I normally do. What I said about her not being made for jumping, I am aware that any horse can jump, but since she is gaited, I risk hurting her because she doesn't trot, which is what builds some of the muscles for jumping. The bit I was using is a myler. It is actually a very mild bit. Any bit can be harsh if used harshly. I have tried jumping Jazzy in a snaffle, but she gets uncontrollable. The myler is a step up from a snaffle. Thanks!
 
#18 ·
Hey for never having a jumping lesson you look good! In the picture it looks like your leg could be moved up forward, but that might just be me.
 
#19 ·
I personally would never try to jump without a trainer! So maybe try to find a jumping trainer who can help you get into a correct position and lend you a proper jumping saddle until you buy one of your own.
 
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#25 ·
Now onto a few things about your posistion and things I see wrong with this picture.

Your jumping in a Dressage saddle which will keep you in a bad seat and make your legs slide when going o/f.
I like your posistion and she looks good but I do not like it that your riding in a dressage saddle and riding in proper riding clothes. I'm not trying to be harsh on you but I'd never let a student ride if they were not in proper riding clothes.
 
#28 ·
I could not agree more! If I was entering a show and my trainer was like "hey, you should try an outing at prelim!" I would think about it. If she wasn't going to be at that show, I'd play it safe a training.

Plus, look at rotational falls at the upper levels - it's hard to run at the UL without a trainer because you need the proper training facilities. Then there is Darren Chiacchia, Phillip Dutton and the like who have all had their share of rotational falls... HECK, they are THE trainers to train with!
 
#30 ·
I think everything has been covered, so I just wanted to tell you that your horse is beautiful! And I was just wondering, you said that this was the first or second time jumping in a saddle for you? Does that mean you learned to jump bareback? If so, good for you! If I tried to jump bareback for my first time I would have fallen lol. It took me so long to figure out the horses movements and how to follow them.
 
#32 ·
Yes, I learned to jump bareback. The only saddle I had then was a 13" western saddle and that was all I could afford, so I either didn't jump or jump bareback. Thanks for the compliment about jazzy, I think she is beautiful, but all think that about their horses, so it feels good to hear that from someone else!
 
#31 · (Edited by Moderator)
Plus, look at rotational falls at the upper levels - it's hard to run at the UL without a trainer because you need the proper training facilities. Then there is Darren Chiacchia, Phillip Dutton and the like who have all had their share of rotational falls... HECK, they are THE trainers to train with!
WOAH! TIME OUT!!! *tweet* Stop right there. Before you point fingers at trainers for rotational falls, educate yourself properly and find out why rotational falls have become prevelant in the world of eventing.

This has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with Coaches and the Trainers. Before you throw accustations out, make sure you know what you are talking about.

~~~~

And I am going to put my opinoin in on the matter of jumping with or without a coach.

I have a big beef about uneducated coaches out there turning out far too many uneducated riders, yes. BUT there are far too many already uneducated riders out there, with no coaches - doing stupid, stupid, stupid things on their horses over fences, without even knowing what they are doing and what they are doing to their horses.

Yep, I was jumping years without a coach. But I did not realize the danger I was putting not only myself into, but my horse. And I didn't realize how I could of be screwing up my horse in the mean while.

There are exceptional, educated coaches out there who are in it for the horses well being and their riders.

Yep, there are allot of lousy coaches out there who shouldn't even be doing what they are doing. But, let me stand up and applaud those coaches out there who are doing phenomenal work for their sport and for their students and for their horses.

These coaches are teaching their students properly, educatedly and slowly.

I know riders who think they are too good for their britches. Doing things way above their levels but doing it anyways. Then they start riding under an educated coach who puts them in their place faster than they could blink.

Let me tell you - even GP Jumper and Olympic Level Riders have coaches. NO ONE is too good for a coach.
 
#39 ·
WOAH! TIME OUT!!! *tweet* Stop right there. Before you point fingers at trainers for rotational falls, educate yourself properly and find out why rotational falls have become prevelant in the world of eventing.

This has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with Coaches and the Trainers. Before you throw accustations out, make sure you know what you are talking about.
I'm not blaming trainers for rotational falls at all! Just used them as examples. I believe they come from the removal of the long format event and making today's courses tighter and more technical.

I was simply saying that people without trainers aren't necessarily going to have more accidents. Yes, it's bound to happen to some, but not to all because some will play it safe.

Whereas somebody with a trainer (a bad one, at that) who is encouraging them to move up a level before their ready. Then they get out on the course and are unsure how to guide their horse through the technical "A-B-C with an option" elements - then we end up with accidents.

Of course, there are exceptions to everything. I'm just making a point in the "I never jump without a trainer" case. Some people can't afford it, some people don't have access to a knowledgable trainer. I'd much rather ride on my own at a level lower than what I'm schooling than *try* to move up the levels with a risky (to say the least) trainer who has no concept of self preservation:wink:
 
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