Some questions on jumping

I finally started jumping (will hopefully post videos soon) and well... it's fuun! I do have a few questions though. I know pictures/videos would help, but for now, it's only words.

So when I approach the jump, around one stride beforehand I'm not sure if I go into the correct position of two point or not, but I know I just lift myself from the saddle and am not "sitting anymore" (as to not go into two point too late and go flying off like I almost once did). I then release/grab the mane, and because X likes to over jump everything lol, I go flying over (still securely on his back of course, not off him). :P

I don't feel unstable, rather secure actually, and my trainer says I'm not too bad or slow at getting myself back together after the jump, but the thing is, while I'm jumping I feel as if I'm sitting too much out of the saddle and that my bum isn't near enough like you jumping gurus often recommend. I don't know if what I feel is right and to what extent, but some tips on that part? Don't know anything about jumping expect for release, heels down and leg.

Thanks

If it feels right, it probably is! If you want to get a better feel for when to rise out the saddle and come back into it on landing, talk to your trainer about maybey doing a small jump non-stirrup. It sounds scary but its surprisingly nice to jump non stirrup. Anyways, riding non sturrup means you have to allow the horse to push you out the saddle when he wants you to rise, and you have to come back at the right time on landing otherwise you become unbalanced. You also stay closer to the saddle.

If you don't want to go non-sturrip, try closing your eyes 3-4 strides out so you have to feel when to rise into jump position, and when to sit up again. Obviously do both these exercises on a horse you trust, and while being supervised!

Thanks for the answer! Haha my jumps are small but with x I feel as if I was jumping 3 feet. ;) I will ask to do that though, the non stirrup jumping. She gives lessons with no stirrups so I'll ask if I can have one of those and then do some jumping. Thanks. :)

It will get more comfortable with practice as you learn to see a distance, but for now, it sounds like you're doing a good job! It's always better to two-point earlier over small jumps than to get left behind and jab your horse in the mouth or fall off. I haven't been jumping too long, but let me tell you that it will feel more comfortable as you get used to the feeling of your horse and seeing a distance.

From your description, it sounds like your two point is correct, but you coukd be a bit closer to the saddle. When you get into your two point, your butt should still remain directly over the saddle, it should just lift up. Your upper body, however, should lean forward and you should end at the waist, moving your hands up the horse's neck to provide an adequate release. You will get better with time and experience, so I wouldn't be too concerned about it for now.

When I first started jumping my trainer set up a jump around a foot high so my horse would actually have to jump (i had jumped prior to this you would want to be thrown from X jumps to this lol) and as I approched the jump she made me put my arms out to the side so if my bum was too close to the saddle I would feel it and be left behind and if I was ahead id fall onto his neck it really helps with balance and overall positioning because you have to let the horse put you where you need to be. Hope that all made sense im not the best at explaining haha xoxo
-Fudge and Morgan

If you tell the BO what your rules are about the horse then it should be fine. A 20 year old horse is the best babysitter for young girls. If the BO doesn't treat animals well then that's another story.

^wrong thread?

Here is a excersize I give my kids when they start jumping. I use a pole on the ground. I make them trot in a jumping position over pole till they start getting the feel of it then introduce a jump in thevsame manner. Then they trot it normaly they get the position rather quickly.
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Rember to close you hip angle. Just leaning forward on your horses neck is unstable on larger fences. Hands go forward, butt goes back:) good job!