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Jump Critique?

1K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  jaydee 
#1 ·
Hi all,

I was hoping some of you wouldn't mind taking the time to bestow upon me a quick critique of my position over a jump. I like the ability to get critiques because I don't have the money for a riding instructor, so most-everything I know is self-learned.

I'll try and get a video up if I can, since I know that's more helpful.

Thanks!


Fun fact, my horse was started as a western ranch versatility horse and only saw an English saddle (myself included) for the first time two years ago. He's still a pretty nice little (big) cutting horse.
 

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#3 ·
Thanks! That means quite a lot considering that this picture was taken less than two years ago, the week we started playing with jumping. Didn't even own an English saddle at the time!



I've always found it helpful to watch videos of other people jumping and then film myself so that I can try and correct the mistakes in my next ride. :D
 
#5 ·
I agree that you look good, and the horse has a decent bascule and knee position. it's a qh? ranch style horse? jumping isn't something a lot of such horses are natually good at. they tend to not bascule, and not have neat knees.

in the first photo, you look like you might be a tiny bit ahead of the horse . in the bareback photo, you look more natural, less forced, but of course, the jump is half the size.

take all of that with a lump of salt. while I've learned a lot about jumping from folks here, I don't do it myself, so I'm an armchair jumper only.
 
#6 ·
Thanks! I appreciate the notes. That bareback photo was maybe the fourth time he ever went over a jump.

He is a cutting-bred quarter horse, and I know it makes his breeder (my uncle) probably cry out in pain every time he goes over a jump, haha. Just means he breeds versatile horses! ;-)

Some of my horse's siblings have gone on to be national champion collegiate SHOT horses, and his dam showed at a pretty high level with my cousin while she was in high school.

Here's a snapshot of his pedigree. Not much to build a jumper in there.



Here's a small collage I did a while ago of our jumping progress over time. Still a lot of room for improvement, no doubt.


First picture y'all've already seen. Second one was about 3 months into jumping. Third, about a year of jumping. Fourth is a little under two years, and the pictures in the original post are from this Saturday! You'll notice the helmet is a new addition, at my doctor's and mother's orders.
 
#7 ·
I think you look great, and your horse is fab! I'm jealous of your neat position!

The only thing I'll say is that for that height of jump, you probably don't need to go forward into two point as much as you are. I imagine you've watched lots of videos of people jumping large courses, where that amount of release is necessary, but for smaller jumps under 3 foot there often isn't any need for the extra effort of a deep fold, and you may find that you don't have enough time in the landing to pick up your position again and support your horse through regaining his balance.

I've put a link to a video of a young horse being taught to jump. Although yours isn't so young and may not even be green to jumping, I think it shows nicely how the rider's more upright position over smaller jumps helps the horse out. I hope this is useful!
 
#9 ·
You really look pretty good and your horse has cute knees and drops his head nicely over the fence. I agree with Celeste's critique of not jumping too far ahead, that's a bad habit I struggle with as well so I know how hard it is to break - I just want to help them jump :D

Anyway I would also check your stirrup position as it looks like your foot is way too far forward in your stirrup. This can be dangerous if you ever fall as it is more likely that your foot will get caught in the stirrup and you will be dragged. It also creates a very stiff leg that is constantly "on," you can see in your photos that your ankle is digging into his side over the top of the fence which we don't want, adjusting your stirrup will give you a kinder, more flexible leg so you can add pressure when you need it and you aren't constantly nagging him. George Morris discusses proper foot position in the stirrup quite often if you read his book or google some of his articles.

You want it to be placed more like this, angled diagonally across the ball of the foot, the furthest point should be behind your pinky toe and angle inward as it comes toward the horse:
http://0.tqn.com/d/horses/1/S/s/I/stirrupandfieldboot.jpg

I also just have to say I am thrilled to see you wearing a helmet in your most recent photos, I know it's a sore subject in the horse world but there really is no excuse to not protect your head!
 
#10 ·
You've improved so much in those photos which is quite amazing for someone that's self taught
You've gone from a too rounded back to being on the wrong side of a bit too hollow now though so watch out for that - just relax a bit as you go over the jump and try not to force things.
A lot of times riders get ahead of the action because they stay in 2 point all the time and then instead of staying in that 2 point go even further forwards. If you can't stop yourself doing that then try going back to a full 'driving' seat for 2 or 3 strides before the jump and then into 2 point as the horse is going up
I agree about your foot being too far into the stirrup
The crest release (holding on to the mane!!) is OK for where you're at now but you should be aiming at lowering your hands and allowing them to 'give release' by moving them forwards as needed. I don't like to see riders using the crest release for any longer than necessary because its too easy to rely on it as a crutch for your balance and then becomes a habit that's hard to break and you can also end up with this thing where the rider is sprawled along the horse's neck
This isn't the best video but it gives an idea of what to aim for
Your horse has a lovely neat way of jumping
 
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