Help with my jumping postion

Hello guys,
I have been jumping for many years however have taken a bit of time off (I'm 7 months pregnant and wasn't jumping for 6 months prior to becoming pregnant) When I was jumping, I was coming off of another long period of time with no riding at all (not just jumping) I have pictures from the last time I was jumping and I can tell you pretty much what I needed to work on. So what I am asking here is how to fix these problems.

My problems of major concern are:

My lower legs swing back over the jump.
My heels could be down further
I lean off to the right (not sure how evident it is in the pictures)

I know that I do not have an issue with looking down or giving a release. In fact I love the fact that I "over" release (I don't really think there is such thing) the few times I have gotten left behind over jumps, I slip my reins and the horse carries on normally. (got to love having an eventing background)

Now I also know a major factor that I dislike is my weight. I am short (5 foot 1 if I'm wearing the right shoes) and I'm heavy. I'm really top heavy and I know that I tend to be forward. (I'd rather be ahead of the motion than behind though) I've been really fit and I've been up to 4'6" in jumping....over 6 years ago. So needless to say, I need to get back into shape and work on my issues while doing so. Please if you comment on this post, do not say anything crude about my weight. I am aware of this issue and as soon as I have my baby I will be getting back into riding two horses a day (which will help me loose the baby weight and any other weight)

Okay so now onto picture. I might be able to find a few videos too.












Okay so the pictures aren't the best quality or view for making suggestions but I still think that its possible. Lol. I also realize that it is very stupid to ride without a helmet, even more so to jump without one. So I am looking for advice to fix the issues I am having. Please be nice, I do not claim to be a good rider and I am looking for honest help.

Thanks,
Horses4Healing

Wait you are pregnant? Or you just had the baby? If you are pregnant I would really be careful( I am not a women but is it a good idea to be jumping when with child? I don't know so if it is forgive my ignorance)

Okay the first thing I see is that you have entirely lost your lower leg and basis of support. Before doing any real jumping, i'd do several lessons entirely in 2pt, and several more entirely without stirrups. You are balancing off your hand and the horse's neck, and it's letting you throw away your leg and base of support.

Once you are ready to go back to jumping and your heels can stay down in any situation, then you can go back to some gymnastics. I'd prefer some without reins, with your hands at your sides so that you can learn how important your lower leg is, and to NOT balance off your front end. Right now if you started doing higher fences, your weight being that far forward would make it hard for the horse to properly jump and you're putting the horse on the fore.

Most importantly, your lower leg is your foundation, and right now without that, I would be hesitant to jump more because all it's doing is reinforcing bad habits. Good luck and i'm sure you'll be back to your former position in no time!

I agree with the previous poster. I would do lots of schooling in two-point. Do some trot poles, and when you rise in your two-point over them really focus on squeezing with your legs, sinking into your heels, and keeping your leg against your horse.

I noticed your legs aren't particularly still even on the approach to your fences. You might also consider some leg strengthening exercises to help build your leg and core muscles. When I exercise regularly, I notice a HUGE change in my riding ability and my stability/balance. In fact, I haven't been exercising, and I was horrified watching a video of myself last week. So I'm back on the running/walking/hand weights bandwagon. :)

Good luck! You have a great foundation, and with a little work you will get there. Enjoy the new baby!

Your rather forward position scares me. If the horse suddenly stopped you'd be propelled over his shoulder. Or if he bucked.

Yep, as others have said, strengthening your legs will help tremendously with some of your problems.


Lots and lots of work in 2-point and lots of lots of work without stirrups... then lots and lots of work in 2-point with no stirrups


ETA -- after watching the videos, I'd also say that I think you'd benefit greatly from strengthening your core as well. You're kinda all over the place.

After you have your baby, in addition to riding more, I'd suggest doing something like pilates, as well, to increase your core strength

I wont repeat what others have said, but keep in mind there IS such thing as too much release. When you change the length of the reins you change the length of the neck, which changes the horses balance. At this point it is ok for you to have a small loop in the rein when you use a crest release.

At the same time, for every pound you move forward you have to move one back. So if you move your arm and upper body forward, you're going to have to move something back, which is your leg.

I hope this helps

your leg should NEVER move back! Just wanted to clarify that! If your hand goes forward, your weight in your seat has to shift slightly back to ensure your center of gravity is over the center of the horse's gravit.

Sorry need to clarify !! If you move your leg and/or upper body too far forward it will cause your leg to go back. Your leg is not supposed to move back.

i figured that's what you meant :)