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Green horse and rider jumping, please critique!

2K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  toto 
#1 ·
I've been riding for 8 years but am pretty new to jumping. So is my 6 year old gelding Luca, who I broke in myself. Before getting him, I was doing trotting poles and now we are jumping 40cm, going on to 60cm next session (since Luca is managing the 40cm jumps awesomely) I would just like some critique, mostly on Luca, but a bit on me, too, although I kind of know what I need to improve more (straighter back, better release, heels down, butt out of the saddle). I think Luca has improved tremendously, although he does take off the ground a bit early. But if I put a pole in front of the jump to help him with judging distance, he will just jump that pole as well.:shock:
Okay, without further ado, here's Luca! Click pics to enlarge

Free jumping about half a year ago (sloppy legs, jumping flat)

Same height jump, two days ago, under saddle:

another one from the same day and jump, jumping off way too early :shock:


Yeah, my position is bad, but I'm learning! So is Luca.
Critique time! :D
 
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#3 ·
Yeah, I practise two-point a lot, but in that moment when he jumps, I just totally forget. Thats what I'm working on, remembering my position during the actual jump. I'm not taking lessons, since we are not financially...um...fortunate, but I am going to go to a jumping clinic (which is just like lessons, just not regular). I am also going to be joining pony club. Next time I jump, I'm going to tie a little band in Luca's mane, just where I want my hands to be when I jump, so I can get a release.

What do you think about Luca, though?
 
#6 ·
I really think you need to find a way to take lessons. A clinic is a one or two day event, and it will not give you all of the information you're going to need to teach yourself and your horse. I can't afford my lessons either, but I work at the barn for them, I also work for my coach to get fees off my showing expenses. You're giving no release at all, and your two point is non - existent. You can't teach a horse if you yourself still need to learn it! If he is jumping stride poles, you need to go back to lunging over ground poles, so that he can learn how to step over them.

Green + Green = Black and Blue!
 
#9 ·
I agree with everyone else... go back to ground poles, work stirrupless, figure out your seat and balance. I know that it's easy to want to jump early on because it's honestly a lot of fun, but you have to be safe and responsible to your horse and self.

Over the jump, you are sitting with your knees pinched, heels up, shoulders hunched and no release. Your horse is overjumping quite a bit and doesn't seem very balanced.

Before jumping, you should be able to 2-point a few large laps over some poles without losing your balance. Your weight should be in your heels and your calves should hug the sides of the horse to maintain your position (ie. no knee-pinching!). Your seat should be totally independent of your hands so that if you need to give your horse a release, your balance permits you to do so.
 
#12 · (Edited)
This is where i think some rythm beads (spelling?) would come in handy- to teach you to post and be in tune more with your horse. :thumbsup:

Hes actually a really nice jumper! hes got nice form and good scope for such a small jump- almost looks like hes jumping too early but not his fault- thats what you need to tell him- when!

Posting isnt that bad- to this day i count 1-2 1-2 because thats what my instructor taught me to do- i always sit the lope.

For the two point position you can practice by rising (two point) all the way up to the jump if you want (not all the way up out of your seat)-- i always drive my horse forward and rise as i feel the horse pull the front legs off the ground and sit after the backs have landed using my legs as shock absorbers-- you dont want to hollow the back or lean too far forward- the most comon flaw i see in jumpers is them poking their backside out and leaning too far forward-- it should be kind of natrual feeling not uncomfortable or like youre really trying to over do it.



I do agree with everyone- you need an instructor to help you and dont try anything youre not comfortable doing.
 
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