-Release
-Don't get into the habit of jumping ahead. So many riders have this problem and it can take time to fix it.
-Keep your heels down and keep your legs by the girth.
-Don't grip with your knees (legs swing back if you do)
-Ride the rhythm of the horse and wait for him/her to get you into the right position.
-Relax
-And most importantly... have fun!
Always smile! Even if you're scared, if you smile, you will relax.
Once you are relaxed, everything else will follow.
Don't let your horse refuse, If he does then take him over it again. Don't let him slow down after the jump, if anything, speed up. Look ahead, Have fun!
P.S. When you get a bit more confident, Practising for jump offs (i.e. tight corners) is really good practise and great fun.
Also, if you get nervous start singing in your head or out loud. It helps you relax.
And don't look at the jump. You should be looking where you want to go after the jump.
I agree with finding a instructer/trainer/coach if you don't have one yet. And if it's possible, get someone to film you. You can really see what you're doing wrong when you watch yourself riding. I also watch YouTube videos to get inspiriation from. my fave youtubers are JazzCiceroCasper and eddiesgun(some number that i can't remember).
--ride to the base of the fence and sit UP
-- Think Chin up rather than eye up... (helps me)
--legs into hands dont drop your horse with your hands in front of a fence
--a good song to sing to keep a rhythm is baa baa black sheep or twinkle twinkle little star
-- dont under estimate the power of positive visualisation
--Theres nothing wrong with having an ekk strap
-- And as above the mane is your friend...
-- If you have trouble with where you release to make a plait in the mane... and go to that point
-- Let the horse come up to you rather than you folding to it...
--remember most run outs/refusals are rider related - think about what you have done....
LOL theres a few - but every horse is different and will need to be ridden differently - so mch easier having someone on the ground helping out...
And...here's another HUGE tip that goes along with letting the horse jump to you:
When jumping, your hip angle should CLOSE and push your Buttocks BACK towards the rear of the saddle. Your seat, in this two point position should JUST clear the saddle by an inch or two. When the horse jumps his natural thrust will make sure that you are high enough out of the saddle for the size jump.
Nobody EVER told me this. I had 2 trainers who both had many successful riders...or so I thought since neither of them ever cared to tell me this tid bit of info from the beginning. Who knows what I would think if I saw their students jump now. I thought a release was to OPEN my hip angle and lay on the horse's neck to give slack and it is not. That is a common mistake.
Thats a good one! you make it sound soo easy!! my trainer was trying to tell me that but i was like out of it that day.... that s a keeper im writing down!!!!! them
Good I'm glad. Hopefully you will be lightyears ahead of where I was in the beginning for a loong time, constantly getting left behind and I didn't know why! At least your trainer tried to explain it to you. Good luck!
-Quit while you're ahead.
When I first started jumping I loved it so much that I just kept going and going and going. And consequently made my horse lame. That made me think twice about how much he was enjoying it. Which wasn't much.
-End on a good note.
-Always make sure you are straight before and after the jumps.
-Don't look at the ground, because that's where you will end up.
Welcome to the wonderful world of jumping, and enjoy!
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