Eatin' Dirt!

As the name suggests.. lately whenever it comes to jumping I've been either:

a) eating dirt, or
b) very close to it!

I havent done alot of jumping before, heck- only a few lessons spread out over quite a long period, but I just cant seem to get the knack of it! I seem to get left behind every time. There have been a handful of jumps where I've gone over wonderfully, but they are few and far between. I consider my flatwork pretty solid (I've been doing it for 7 years!), but when it comes to jumping I'm clueless!

I'm just wondering if I am worrying too much about trying to not anticipate the jump and overjump it, instead of lifting out of the saddle a touch more than necessary in order to get over the jump sucessfully? Sorry, that was confusing for me even Hard to explain what I mean!

I do have a trainer who is with me all the time coaching me along, but just wondering if any of you had this problem or know some simple exercises that might help? I am always doing cavaletti work, trot poles etc in various distances/combinations but so far it hasnt helped with the 'getting left behind' bit!

Should I practice two-point? I have pretty terrible leg strength- do you think if I did some leg exercises it may help?

Throw some ideas at me hehe

set up canter poles and tie up your reins and do it with out dtreched arms kinda thing. and posting trot and standing in your stirips on the lunge with no reins

I'm going to scrap this thread, because today I had a lesson and was so proud of myself I aced it! hehe. We did some small jump combinations in the trot and canter, and lots of two point and I was really happy with myself for getting it right! It's the first time I've really been able to say 'yes, i can jump!'.. even if they werent high. Out of the dozen or so jumps I did, I lost my lower leg on 2 which turned to crap, but the rest I was super pleased about!

Sorry, I think this thread has almost turned into a gloat thread! hehe. I feel like I really accomplished something today- a big hurdle

this isn't a gloat thread! it's always nice to hear when someone makes progress, yay for you! you did mention though that your legs could use some strengthening. That will DEFINITELY help you out! i would suggest lots and 2 point, lots of riding without stirrups, and reins. keep up the good work!

good work! like upnover said, its always great to hear when people progress so well with the things they love.

Congratulations! Keep up the good work and I am super happy that you got a "light bulb" moment!