[xZottoBabex]

Hey =)*

I got some pictures of me and Lady (For Sale BTW -- £2800) at our show last weekend, just wondering, is my position improving, or geting worse?

Any constructive criticism welcome

Me and Lady - 29th June 08




Me and Jimmy (For Sale -- £1850) - 8th June 08



Me and Summer - Beggining of March 08



Thanks =)* xx

[Equus08]

From the pictures I would say you have DEFINITELY improved! In the first picture you're forward, but it's better than the older pictures. Your legs used to slip way back, and you seemed to have fixed that.

Just a few things you still need to fix:
Instead of being too forward, you're behind (especially picture #3 is the best example). When you rise out of the saddle, your seat shouldn't move forward or back. You need to bend at the hip to fold your upper body into your jumping position. Your elbows still stick out a little, but you've greatly improved. Your heels need to be down!! In the recent pictures they're either barely down or not at all. Also, in almost all of the picture, including the recent ones, your stirrups are way home. You need to work on keeping your irons on the ball of your foot.

[pippy]

I see a huge improvement in position from then to now, well done!
I'm not so sure that your behind the movement, more your lower leg is being pushed forwards so your seat ends up near the back of the saddle. As a idea/visual point to learn - you toe should line up with the front edge of the girth thats how you know your legs are properly positioned and taking the proper weight acting as the base of support. You won't be able to get this either unless as Equus 08 said, put your heels down and you foot in the stirrup properly!
I like where your upper body is in the recent photo's so when you fix your legs - try keep your upper body where it is, often when people change one thing i.e legs it ends up changing something elsewhere - so make sure you keep your upper body as is!

Good luck

[HoofPrints11]

I think the biggest improvement is between the middle and last set of pictures. You look great =) Just remember to keep your heel down and leg still. This will help with the over jumping. I know they aren't very popular in England but a pair of half chaps would help loads. Keep up the good work!

[canadianlover]

darling, those pictures could not have been taken the 29th of july

[xZottoBabex]

Originally Posted by canadianlover

darling, those pictures could not have been taken the 29th of july

Hahaa Thanks Its Supposed To Be June Lol, Ive Changed It Now

Thanks For Everyones Advice;;
Hahaa;;
I Still Dont Seem To Be Getting The Feet Thing Right ;;
Oh Well;;
Ill Get There;;
Eventually

Thanks Agen x
Jadee =)*

[ILubHorsies]

there is soooo an improvement! its definitely noticable and you seemed to have made a lot of progress. But there are some things to fix up a bit. Your lower leg is a lot more forward now, as opposed to too far back, which IMO is safer but still needs some fixing. Definitely bring it back to just behind the girth. And your upper body and crest look really good despite the fact that you are pretty far back in the saddle. My friend told me to practice going around the ring in hlaf seat and then closing as if you are going over a jump, just to practice.

[Just Jump It]

Great job!!

Still work on that lower leg. Fix your stirrup iron so that it lies closer to the ball of your foot with the outside branch farther forward than the inside. This will help you keep your ankle supple and your heel down.

Your stiff ankle is where alot of your problems are stemming from. Your lower body weight is unable to sink down into your heel because your stirrup is so far home. You are trying to sink your heels down, but instead you are just pushing your leg forward because your stirrup will not allow your ankle to flex.

Because your lower leg is forward, your upper body has fallen back (in the last 2 pics), and behind your horses motion.

In the first pic, you are jumping ahead (but not as much as before, there is a definite improvement!) Trot lots of jumps to help you stay back and wait for your horses thrust to close your hip angle. Make sure you sit the trot a few strides before the fence.

Your release is lovely!

[xdumbblonde091x]

i would say that you need to do more of a fold at your hips with keeping your butt in the saddle. since your pony looks like he has a shorter neck it would be better if you wernt like laying on it. I dont know if that really made sense lol but basically give him more of a release from your hand instead of pushing your whole body forward.

[horseyfrk145]

Definite improvement!!