More Equitation Critiques!

[MegPerdizzle]

I have posted a lot of photos that I have asked people to critique, I have been working pretty hard so just let me know what you think of my equitation know!! Thanks I really appreciate your comments!

[♥Meghan♥]

In the first picture, you look really good but I dont think you need to be leaning on your horses neck so much. Yes the neck is there for some support for your upper body but not too much! There needs to be some space between his neck and your chest. In the second picture, you look like your looking down and your back is hunched a bit. You need to really arch that back and look straight between your horses ears no matter what. You guys look like you make an excellent team! :)

[MegPerdizzle]

Thanks for the tips, although my trainer tells me NOT to arch my back, and that she wants my back flat over the jumps but my tail bone underneath me, Also, you both said something about me folding too much, that could be true, although I feel like the style of hunters at least where I live you are sapost to stay quiet and ride to the jump, then fold at the peak of the jump and keep the closed hip angle until your horse is almost landed.....(:

[Simone]

yes, you are correct in that you should stay quiet to the jump, and close the hip angle, but it appears to me that in this case, you may be compromising the "function" of the position (if that makes sense, haha). It provides you with a very pretty picture, but technically its the horse that should be doing the jumping, not you : )
if you've ever watched the cross country phase of eventing (or also showjumping), I'm sure you've seen some of the more advanced riders approaching fences quite large and wide, but they move their upper bodies very, very little. As the jumps get larger, all of the folding and hip closing comes from the horse, not the rider. Any excess movement could compromise the overall security of their position, and also make the job more difficult for the horse. You can't come to a large oxer, and throw your body, for it's going to compromise your horse's balence, and what if the horse decides not to jump? You're not going to have a secure core, and you might come tumbling off, haha (we've all been there). Therefore, smaller fences should produce very little movement. This can be applied to other disciplines as well.
Whether you ride hunter or whichever discipline, there's just basics that should apply. Of course, you should always follow the advice of your trainer, you knows your horse's and your own capabilities better than anyone else, but this is just my tid-bit of advice : )
Happy riding! : )

[MegPerdizzle]

I do understand what you are saying and completely agree.....but when I ride before the fence I am not leaning at it and folding before the horse ever jumps! It's at the peak of the fence that I am told to press slightly on the horses neck and fold...but I will try what you are suggesting as well because it does make a lot more sense, and will make it easier for the horse, especially now that I am starting to jump larger fences
-Thanks for the advice

[♥Meghan♥]

it really doesnt matter where you live...all top hunter jumper riders look very similar and they all have very flat backs and arent leaning too much on there horses neck. you may not want a completely arched back but you want to be very flat. if you want to see top hunter jumper riders, just go to youtube and search ASPCA Maclay. those are riders that know exactly what hunter riders are suppose to look like because they have been trained by the best! Im glad i could give you some tips! :)

[Simone]

i have to agree that you are quite folded over in the first picture. the second isn't as bad, but that might just be due to the fact that picture is at a later point in the jump. otherwise, your leg is looks secure, and your release looks fine, but really just work on that upper body.
in the first picture, the jump is so small, and you don't need to be folding your upper body so much. she can just step other these, and any extra body movement on your part isn't going to make her job any easier. just approach the jump at a bit of a two-point, and at the take off, do a nice release and close your hip angle just slightly. on second thought though, maybe for you, it would be better to think of not closing the hip angle at all (since it appears you have a habit of over folding) and keeping your upper body extra, extra tall and your chest up.
otherwise, you look like a very lovely rider, and your horse appears to enjoy her job.

[MegPerdizzle]

Thanks, I really appreciate your tips! I will work on that as soon as I can!