Jumping/strength

[Filly]

Hi, I recently started jumping and I'm having a little trouble. I'm not having much trouble with getting out of the saddle into half-seat, but during the landing, I always plop back down in the saddle too hard. I think it's just because my legs are not strong enough yet to land softly back into the saddle. Does any1 have any advice? :confused:

[FerretBoys]

If you're just starting to jump, it's okay to grab the mane. This will help you keep your balance and help keep you from getting left behind (which is, I think, what you're describing). When you get left behind you get behind the motion of the horse, usually by jumping ahead of him and then trying to sit back too soon. This is a common mistake and if you have a good school horse it probably won't hold it against you, but grabbing the mane about half-way up the crest when you release and holding it until the horse lands will teach you how to feel the entire jump. Eventually you'll be able to let the motion move you out of the saddle and will only have to press on the crest to help your balance (crest release), and finally you will have an independant seat and leg and will be able to do an automatic release, where your hands follow the horses mouth on the sides of the neck, not using the horse for support at all. I hope that helps you.

[Filly]

No, I am not having any trouble with balance or timing, just strength. I don't do crest releases. I will never learn to balance if I do, plus in throws all the weight on the horses front so he is unbalanced. My problem is that I land too soon and too hard during landing. I was kind of looking for strength excersizes I can do when I'm riding. I know a couple, but I'm still having trouble.

[belchopsuey]

the crest release is more to give your horse room to stretch out and extend over the jump. it doesnt overbalnce him/her if you do it correctly. It shouldnt really effect ur balance, unless you are leaning too far foward, in which case u will throw both yourself and the horse off balance. I also suggest holding the mane roughly about half way up, so you can feel the flowing motion of the jump. if you honestly think that strength is an issue practice holding your 2 point position over trot poles. hope that helped :)

[lilrish]

I would suggest lots and lots of two point/half seat/jump positiong (whatever you call it). Move the horse off into a trot, and practice balancing out of the saddle. Do it till your legs feel like rubber!! My old trainer used to make us canter around in jump position WITHOUT STIRRUPS! after three weeks of that, my legs were increadibly strong. That should make going out of the saddle for a jump feel easy! good luck!

[animallover66]

Hey! I know some really good leg and riding exercises that would def. help you out. First, try whats called "up up down". This is a balancing workout. It is when unstead of posting up and down, you hold yourself up for two beats, and then sit for one. It helps you feel where your legs are, (which can be a very important factor, lol) This is good because if you are falling back wards, you legs are too far forward, and if you are leaning forward, they are too far back. This WILL help you out! Try it! Another one is posting circles and serpentines with no stirrups. Sometimes I ride with no stirrups on my saddle! It can be hard at first, but it gets better. My last suggestion, is really helpful. (a rider from the US eventing team suggested it) This is when you walk around the ring, and as you do, have someone watch you. Slowing bend at the hips so that your back it flat, but your belly button is touching your horses neck. This teaches you proper hip flexibility. You need this for balance which may be part of your problem. After this slowly sit up with your back straight. I think your problem is that you need to jump more. You need to use the horses forward motion to move forward, and than let them land and rock backward gently. Don't worry, it will take some time, but you'll pick it up! :)

[horselova4ever]

Hi, I used to have that exact same problem. My trsiner used to say i couldnt move up to a harder horse until i leared not to plop down so hard when landing cuz the horse she wanted me to ride after that horse got irritated with people that did that. What she had me do was to sit trot without stirrups and then she had me post it was really hard not using my hands but i got the hang of it and now its pretty easy and i have a much better jumping position lol. Well i hape this helps and happy riding!

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Whitney

[choco horse]

Okay i would like to suggest a lot of excercises witch i know (i know a lot of excercises as i have to do them as wen i am riding my hips come out the soccet!)
but i just can't think at the minute as it is quite late! sorry i will however rattel my brain to night walst in bed and get back to you tommorrow.