[Fiera]

These are a few pics from the horse expo this year. I was in the PMU demo with this fabulous pony, Biscuit. She had only jumped up to 3' before the actual expo, but she did fabulously at the actual event. She always tries her heart out.

Anyways, I was hoping for a few critiques on my position? I know, my release is this horrible floaty thing, but I have been getting sloppy with it since the horse I've been jumping currently (not Biscuit) is REALLY hard to crest release on or stay with in general.

Anyways, the jumps are 3'3 and 3'6. Thanks!

[LiebeLoves_Love]

Looks great, I'm not much of a jumper, but in the first picture there doesn't look like much of a give. Rest of it looks really good, better than I could do. My horse doesn't understand jumping she's a dressage junky.

[BriLeigh]

In the second picture your butt is in the saddle and you can see her back feet pretty much touching the rails. You want to stay up longer. When you sit early it can cause your horse to drag their hind legs.

[fergiaj]

I was there!! I don't think I saw you though....

So I'm not an expert but it looks like you're a bit behind the horses movement. I agree with BriLeigh that you need to stay up a bit longer.

[MysticRealm]

Your stirrups are way too short for that height of fence, which isn't allowing you to wrap you legs around the horse and that is throwing you off balance. You can see in the thrid shot you are quite a bit out of the saddle but you are already falling back and will land on his back over top of the jump.

[RosshidSkylark]

Your legs are great. You kept them at the girth in all of the jumps! Good Job! I've been looking at photos of the show that I am going to enter this up coming weekend and all of their legs are really far back behind the girth. It seems like judges don't care any more. But yeah what is up with that "floaty" thing that you do?? LOL!! Trust me I know there are a lot of faults that I have. Actually when I gets pics up of my show please feel free to critique all you want.

[Equus08]

Wow! you guys look really good together! For the most part, everything looks good. A few things... definitely the release, like you mentioned. you just need to get your hands more out in front of you. In the 2nd and 3rd pictures you're sticking your elbows out and have those "chicken wings". In the 2nd picture you should still be in jumping position and from the 3rd picture you need to be more forward.

[Cara]

I just wanted to say that I saw the demo, and you guys looked great!

Another random connection... Do you work with Anita?

[CaliLove1994]

1st picture:
Your horse- first off he's real cute but a little sloppy he's more under him self then bringing his knees up which in some cases is good, like my mare has more a jumper form but is very tight all over. He's kind of letting his legs dangle all over the place. I'd work on a lot of grids to help him keep it tight.
You- Over all i think your a cute rider but there are a few things to touch up (what rider doesnt ) You have a pretty nice leg but it looks like your pinching with your a knee a bit. I can tell because your crotch is aligned with the pomel meaning your moving your knee to lift your self over the jumps, making your body lean too far forward. You want to use your calf to lift your body up and bend at the hip only so that you stay centered over the saddle without moving your knee at all, that will also make your leg perfect Your release im not liking IMO its ok to give a floating release but thats me but you have a little too much contact with the bit for my preferance. But we all have our own opinion when it comes to releases.

2nd pic.:
Your horse- i think for whats going on he's holding up very nicely
You- Your sitting back WAY to early you should not be in that saddle until a stride after the jump. Thats a big hazard IMO because if your horse takes a bad landing he has to be able to get him self and YOU back in condition to get to the next jump. It also looks like your trying to turn left, unless your just leaning really far. If you are trying to turn make sure your out of the saddle and looking around that turn, turning your waist (leaving your hip straight) but moving your upper body facing where you want to go.
Third pic:
Your horse- i like his knees here but he's still being lazy with his knee and below. I'd also like to see his a little rounder over the jump, so i'd sit the jumps if you already dont and drive him to the jump (not faster but longer strides) so that at the base he rocks back and creates a even flow all the way over the jump.
You- your leg looks really scrunched here, normally i like SHORT stirrups believe me mine are really short but for you im not liking it too much. Remember elmows in and again the whole deal with your seat.

Your a really cute (i use that instead of nice, sorry if it bothers you) rider you just need to practice a little more on holding your body wieght. very nice looing hrose too!

[Fiera]

Originally Posted by MysticRealm

Your stirrups are way too short for that height of fence, which isn't allowing you to wrap you legs around the horse and that is throwing you off balance. You can see in the thrid shot you are quite a bit out of the saddle but you are already falling back and will land on his back over top of the jump.

Haha, that's funny, since I usually hear that I ride with my stirrups longer than most people, but I must've cranked up my stirrups for the demo since I was so NERVOUS! I'm really REALLY short, so I don't like it when I can't get my legs around my horses when I jump. Thanks a lot! I'll keep my stirrups longer next time!