Critique my jumping forum

[NoJumpsNoGlory]

Here are a bunch of jumping pics, I would love your opinions!

Things I know I need to work on:
A) I have chicken elbows, I need to get my elbows in and release more
B) I tend to get my butt to far forward and jump ahead

Anything else? Things im doing right are also appreciated! Thanks









and bareback for fun

[Money'sGurl]

Definitely keep your hiney back and don't stand up in your stirrups so much. You might try shortening them a hole when you jump so they support you better. To stop you from throwing your upper body forward, try flipping your reins over in your hands, so that your thumbs point towards the horse's mouth and the slack goes out through your ring and pinky fingers ("driving" reins). This makes it almost impossible to jump ahead because you can't lean on your hands as well. Last thing is to get in your two-point a few strides away from the jump, and hold it for a few strides after. Your butt is not allowed to touch the saddle the whole time! NOT easy to do, and you will definitely want your stirrups up a hole for that exercise, but it helps strengthen your leg and improves your sense of timing and how to wait and follow the horse's jump.

I've done all of these things, and they all work! They are all hard but fun at the same time. I tend to jump ahead because of my very long thighs, and it has taken a lot of effort to change what my body automatically tries to do. Good luck!

[Money'sGurl]

Oh and I still think you'd do awesome in a different saddle. You have no room for your leg on the flap, which is kind of locking your knees back and making you pivot on them. Did you check into the duetts? www.duettsaddles.com Kate at Dutchess Bridle & Saddle (the lady who fixed our saddles last year) is a dealer and she can perfectly fit you and Amber. Well under $1000 if you do a trade-in with your Crosby, and she might even have some used ones or demos that are even cheaper. Riding in a saddle that doesn't fit makes it really hard to get your position right, and it's also incredibly bad for your back because it won't let you stay aligned. One saddle just doesn't work forever, for anybody. I've had no less than 6 or 7 different saddles during my riding years. I just buy/sell/trade whenever I need something different for myself or for my horse. BTW seat size means very little, it's like blue jean sizing. One manufacturer's 17" is like another manufacturer's 18.5," so don't even look at numbers. Look at what fits! FWIW though, the "general" appropriate saddle size for someone who is 5'11" with long legs would definitely be in the 18"-18.5" range, regardless of body type. At that height, you need the longer/more forward flap that comes with that seat size. I think the person who originally sold you the 17.5" was off, or maybe you were shorter then? Either way I think it's holding you back.

[NoJumpsNoGlory]

Sara, I talked to my mom today and got the green light for a new saddle! I'll definatly give Kate a call! what brands do you think I should keep an eye out for?

[Money'sGurl]

You could go up to Lightning G and check out their selection, but honestly I think it will be almost impossible to find an off-the-rack saddle that will fit both you AND Amber, because (stupidly) most saddle companies design for "average" horses and riders (meaning stick figures and warmbloods), and if you do not literally fit the mold, the saddle won't work. There are a lot of saddles I can't ride in because of my long thighs, because they are designed for people with "normal" proportions!

So I think THE BEST for you and Amber would be DUETT! www.duettsaddles.com They are specially designed for wide-backed horses (like draft crosses), and they can be ordered in any seat size/flap size you need. They are also custom-flocked to your horse's back, and can be adjusted again in the future as Amber grows/matures. You won't get a better fitting saddle for the money, and having Kate design and fit it to you and Amber is also like having tech support! Any time Amber's back changes, or you feel unbalanced, Kate can come out and fix it.

I'm so excited for you, you're not going to believe what a difference the right saddle makes!

[flicka98]

you definetly needa keep your bottom down!! but everything else looks great!!

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