Jumping/flatwork critique?

I know they're kind of horrible videos (my dad was sitting up in the observation deck for one, lol) but is there anything you can critique me on? Don't critique Brooke please, she's not mine.

Oh, I'm also just coming back into riding after a 3 month hiatus (first clip is my 1st ride back, second clip is my 3rd ride back...I just happen to be wearing the same sweat shirt lol) so please keep that in mind :) I am a little weakling right now - I'll be the first to admit it.

Things I noticed:
-We cut corners. Badly. (in the first clip) I blame that partially on the fact that I hadn't ridden since early december..and partially because I was a wimp and gave into the beastie. That's what we were working on in the second video, actually. When you see us coming off the red&white...we were getting as deep into the corner as we could lol.
-In the second video...the first clip is lead changes. The second lead change looks really wiggly, but it was only because we were having steering issues. Brooke didn't want to go between the two jumps, lol.
-I look down. A lot. -_-



Oh...and also...here I am working on my two point at the end of last summer...that's most likely how it's looking now (i don't change very easily lol) so...whaddya think of it? Okay? [yes I look ridiculous on the pony. We do fine together]

I think you are looking great!

I feel like I don't have much to add because I'm back at square one again with my form and conditioning and trying to get myself back to where I used to be - but what I do see in your 3rd video is your leg, loose...but mine is like that too when I don't pay attention to it.

Try to get your legs under you more, especially in that 2 point form. Heels deeper and try to get your upper body a bit taller. Use your core - the core is the most important factor here. Open your chest and tilt your tail bone a smidge under you.

Get yourself balanced over yourself - if that makes sense.

I think you are coming along wonderfully! Where do you board? What a gorgeous indoor!

Position is almost impossible to tell from that far away but the one thing I do see is that you may be sitting down a bit early over those jumps! Try to hold your two-point a bit longer. From the cantering vid it looks like you'll be able to do it, it's just a matter of habit. I'd just worry about dropping rails—if you sit down so quickly, your horse might not be able to get his back hooves up as well!

thanks :)

I DEFINITELY need to work on opening my chest - it's one of my many horrible habits. I've actually been riding around with a stick behind my back/in front of my elbows so I can get a feel for where I need to be.

I *think* my leg may have been swinging a little due to the fact that it makes like...an inch of contact with him. But yeah, it's better when I focus. I really need to work on building up my leg strength again...I can hardly hold a 2-point for a lap around the arena without my legs burning! I think my core may be jiggly at this point as well, hehe.

Thanks! It's Oakland Hills Farm, I love taking lessons there, it's fantastic.
Here's the website:
Oakland Hills Farm - Welcome

yeah, sorry. My parents don't really understand the concept of zooming in 0.0

I'll definitely try and keep that in mind...I have a habit of forgetting about that jump as soon as it's clear we're going over, and thinking about whatever is happening next (lead changes, where my next fence is, where the other horses are, etc...) so I'll definitely have to remind myself to think about the current jump and what I'm doing over it! Haha.