Someone please explain this to me. :idea:

(dont pay attention to the "" in my title)

This is my seven year old thoroughbred and I. I am really hopeing that someone can explain to me why he did this, and if its okay. We were cantering towards the green gate that you can hardly see in the picture, but still, we were about to jump it about a stride or two after this picture was taken. I don't want a critique on my riding or anything like that. I just want to know why he extended so much right before the jump (i didnt ask for extension) and if this is a good or bad thing. Thank you very much :)

Oh also, im sure it may look like his normal canter in some ways, but I assure you it is not. Lol

Reasons.

1) He gets excited and rushes.
2) Horse feels he needs speed in order to get over
3) You as a rider allowed it to happen
4) You as the controler (rider) didn't balance him and ask him to keep a steady pace.

So, it is in fact a bad thing?

Yes and it is your job to make sure the horse stays balanced and the pace remains the same right up to the fence

This is what I see in the photo. Horse is very strung out.