Here's some pictures of me riding Jubilee. These first couple are from September 07 when I first got her. Just some background, she has a lot of dressage training in her, unfortunately I have no training in dressage. I've been riding for 5 years, but have only been riding English for about 3 and a half years. I've done English equitation and hunter-jumper.
Anyway .... Please be honest, rip me apart if you have to. :wink: Oh, and I know my posture is bad in some of them. I am aware I need work. Haha.
These two pics are from this May (mind you I did not ride much over the winter):
4th 5th and 7th you should lean back a bit more.also you should probably try straightening out your back a little bit more.shes gorgeous by the way!! oh trust me...you look better than i do in the saddle lately so don't feel bad.haha.very nice
There are far too many pictures for me to critique each individual one, so I'll just do an overall critique:
- you need to bring your leg back under you; you should have a straight line down from your shoulder to your hip to your ankle.
- elbows back at your sides and bent to make a straight line from your elbow to your horse's mouth
- flex your head back so your neck isn't so stretched out
- your toes need to be pointing straight ahead rather than out to either side
- thumbs up
- don't have such an angle in your hip, lean back more.. the maximum angle on the flat should be 30 degrees.
- keep your hands off the horse's wither
Your horse:
- should be on the vertical
- should be bent to the direction it's going
Sorry I have the attention span of a fly right now...
Overall you two are very cute together, and I definitely see potential!
JDI, thanks for the critique. I do think maybe my stirrups are too long. It's weird because on the horse I used to ride I didn't seem to have this "chair seat" problem. About the toes pointing outwards, I do realize this too. But by far, it is the hardest thing I have ever tried correctly about myself. My feet just won't go that way ... :? What do you mean "on the vertical"... as in framing?
You can try to relax your legs much more, you seem to be jamming your heels way to far down and gripping with the back of your calf.
Relax thru your hip and let it follow the whole way down your leg. The inside of your calf should sit flush with the horses side, but doesnt need to be 'gripping' her. You dont need to push your heel so far down.
Firstly I agree with what most people have said. about your legs and toes and things :P Though I've rushed reading everyones replys so sorry if i repeat anything.
I think you two are a nice match, very cute
I think however She is quit a bit hollow. And since you aren't riding her on the bit there isn't much of a need to ride with short contact. I would loosen up your reins a bit and let her stretch out her neck. So its nice and relaxed. This will help to also built up some more muscle along her top-line.
To me it seems she is looking a bit jambed up. Compacted almost. More so in the 1st half of your photos.
Haha I'm not the best at Critique. What is everyone else's opinion, can they see what I'm seeing?
Kadiel - Yes, she is definitely a forward-moving horse. The reason she might look compacted is because I was probably trying to slow her down. I have been riding her on a looser rein and its been helping. Thanks.
I'm actually wondering about your saddle fit and whether or not that is effecting your seat...it looks downright awkward in several of those last photos, looks like the whole thing is sitting uphill on your mare's back.
I'm actually wondering about your saddle fit and whether or not that is effecting your seat...it looks downright awkward in several of those last photos, looks like the whole thing is sitting uphill on your mare's back.
I was actually thinking the same thing. Maybe that's what is making my legs go forward a lot. .... :? Do you think the saddle doesn't fit period, or just too far up?
I was studying that last pic just now and it looks like I am trying to sit back more in the saddle, as if it should be back more ...
It's weird, because with another horse I used to ride in my lessons, I did not have a problem with my leg position. Maybe it is the position of the saddle..
It could be some of both. Its nigh impossible to judge saddle fit with snapshots, so I can't comment on that. I will say that a too-narrow saddle will sit uphill on the horse. Position-wise, it does seem like your saddle is a bit forward in the later pictures. Here are a couple of photos showing the difference placement can make. http://www.polobarn.com/What'sNew/news2003/saddlefit.html
I don't think your saddle is the correct fit for you. I have the same problem with one of my saddles, but it's more comfortable to ride in than my bigger saddle. :roll: Plus, it works better for the smaller girls that ride my pony. But, I think a different saddle may help your position.
I don't think your saddle is the correct fit for you. I have the same problem with one of my saddles, but it's more comfortable to ride in than my bigger saddle. :roll: Plus, it works better for the smaller girls that ride my pony. But, I think a different saddle may help your position.
Thanks for the advice. :wink: Do you think the saddle doesn't fit her? Or me? Or both?
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