jumping pictures..please critique

Please critique...as harshly as you like:)
they are from a hunter jumper show, but i'm an eventer...
they only reason we went there was because we had been having some stopping issues.

thanks

Attached Images

	holdee 1.jpg (46.0 KB, 140 views)
	holdee 2.jpg (38.0 KB, 139 views)
	holdee 3.jpg (36.8 KB, 138 views)
	holdee 4.jpg (44.2 KB, 139 views)

One really major problem that I see is you are jumping way too far ahead of your horse.
You need to sit and wait for his jump to lift you out of the saddle, and not try to jump for him. Don't rush the fences.

If you are an Eventer, this can cause MAJOR problems on a cross-country course, seeing as those jumps are not forgiving. If you were too jump like this over an obstacle and it threw your horse off balance, he could drag a knee or catch a leg on something and it would end horribly.

In all honesty, until this is corrected, I wouldn't allow any of my students to Event. They'd be put back to basics over small jumps, until their position could solidify more.

Also, your pinching with your knee, which could also be a big factor in why you jump so far ahead of your horse.
I can tell this because your lower leg slid back in the one picture.
And it looks like if you don't pinch with your kness, your trying to stand up in the saddle and holding onto the reins to balance yourself, which is affecting your horse's jump.

I'd go back to gymnastics and simple exercises with jumps & incorporating trotting poles to work on this before going any further.

If you'd like, I can suggest several exercises for you to help :)

Thank you very much nofear...
after this show i've been doing a TON of gymnastics, trying to improve by spring
i definitely agree that i am jumping way far ahead. at thus show i began to learn my lesson a little by falling right over my horse's ears when he stopped because i was way too far forward.
Yes, definitely if you were to tell me some exercises that would be great.
Thank you so much

I would like some exercises too!

you need to give him a relase, so you dont hit his mouth. put your hands up by his ears.

Try no-stirrups work on the flat and through gymnastics. You can also try riding without reins keeping your hands on your hips, head, out sideways, etc. as long as you're in a controlled setting. You need a more secure seat so you don't jump ahead or pinch with your knees, and when your balance is better you will be less likely to grab your horse in the mouth.

Just an add on to what was already said -- if you are having stopping issues, it's even more important to sit back and wait for the jump, and the give a big release when he does jump.
If your horse isn't 100% confident, he's going to use your poisition as an excuse to stop. I have a horse that will stop dead if you get slightly ahead of him or if you don't release. Which makes sense, because your weight is now over the whithers, and bearing down on the front end, which is heavy enough to rock back and get into the air, but when you add your weight plus the fact that he doesn't have freedom of his head, he's gonna stop.

Not so much criticizing, just explaining. :)

hrt4dressage- you are exactly right (not that i was doubting that) he does you my position as a reason to stop, but the original reason for the being slightly more forward (and trust me, i didn't at all mean it too this extend) was because before i would sit too the jump then he would rush and run at it. so we are trying to find the in between of rushing and stopping, but he has been being really good lately and (EVERYONE ELSE WHO GAVE WONDERFUL ADVICE) all will try those tips next time i jump
thanks again!