Jumping Position

CavanLady

Hey All,

Anyone got tips on timing the jumping position from trot? During our lessons, we always jump the first practice fence from trot and more often than not, I get left behind while flinging my hands forward so I don't catch my mare's mouth. I'm sure it looks awful! It seems the more I try to watch for the stride the more I get it wrong. In trot, my mare can sometimes run out in trot so when I prepare to watch for this she then gets deep so it's not a straightforward approach each time.

In canter we have no problems. I've been riding for many years but this has always been a problem for me. I do prefer flat work to jumping though when we do get around well, I enjoy the feeling.

Thanks for reading.

ilovemarmite

Practice your jumping position just trotting around the arena on both reins. This will help you get your balance in this and make sure your heels are well down.

It is a really good exercise to perfect your jumping position without worrying about actual going over the jumps.

Next do this going over trotting poles.

Then over a little crosspole.

What is your contact like when she runs out? Make sure your reins are short enough and there is a nice active trot.

I too sometimes find it much trickier to jump in trot than canter, it feels more natural in canter and they have more of an opportunity in trot sometimes to attempt to run out.

Good luck with it, just be patient and take your time.

There is a book called 101 jumping exercises which is excellent and might help you.

ailbheg

Could you ask your instructor to tell you when to go into your jumping position, until you get a feel for when your horse is going to take off?

Some work with a placing pole to help you see the stride/know when to fold might also help.

Ave Sodalis

I think it's a good idea to go over trotting poles in jumping position and learn to get a good feel for trot and how much distance is taken during trot. When you have a good feel for it, then have trotting poles going into a jump, staying in jumping position. As you go over the poles, count out loud the pole before the jump.

Another good idea is having 4 poles in a circle. They don't have to be equally spaced. Trot around them, aiming for the centre and again, count the paces between poles. When you get used to that, try varying it and aim for different parts on the poles, counting out loud the paces in between. This is also a good exercise if you were trying to change amount of paces

EDIT: I think Horse and Hound read Boards... http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/5125/316448.html

marley123

Lots of work with a placing pole to a small cross pole definately helps as is a small related distance.
OP the more active & forward going the trot the better you will be able to see the stride- counting out loud definately helps as well.!

Esroh

Cavanlady.
What you have to do is stop LOOKING for a stride and learn to FEEL the jump.
If your looking for a stride you are looking at the ground infront of the fence. What will that do for You. The mare has a better natural eye for a stride than you and so if you keep a constant rhythm she will find her spot and you will feel it.

you need to ride towards the first fence as if it is just a pole on the ground looking up and beyond (or at the roof if necessary:) )and you will feel the take off.

borrch

Esroh wrote: »

Cavanlady.
What you have to do is stop LOOKING for a stride and learn to FEEL the jump.
If your looking for a stride you are looking at the ground infront of the fence. What will that do for You. The mare has a better natural eye for a stride than you and so if you keep a constant rhythm she will find her spot and you will feel it.

you need to ride towards the first fence as if it is just a pole on the ground looking up and beyond (or at the roof if necessary:) )and you will feel the take off.

That's really good advice..!:)