YOUR POSITION

When you are  jumping, it is important to make your pony's task of jumping as easy of possible.  You need to move your weight forward, off his back, in the position shown to the left. Shorter stirrups will help you keep your balnce in this position.

The Forward Position

This picture shows you the correct position for  jumping. Practice it at a standstill first. Then try at a walk, trot and finally over trotting poles. 

This is a picture that shows all of the motions that a pony and a rider would go through when they are jumping.

1.First you see the horse ready to take off so the horse's hind legs are underneath, ready to push off. The rider should sit lightly on the saddle, ready to urge the horse on. The rider's hands should have light contact with the mouth, just enough to keep the ponies head straight.

2. Here we see the pony stretches his neck out to look at the fence. The rider should bend forward from the hips, to remove weight from the ponies back.

3. The ponies legs should lift up.

4.The horses hind legs tuck in underneath to clear fence and be ready to land. Seeing how the pony's neck goes forward, it is very important to move your hands forward with the reins.

5.By looking ahead the rider keeps the pony straight, as well as seeing what is coming next. The rider should also make sure that they sit straight. The riders weight should be in the stirrups , not on the saddle. 

Once you see how the pony jumps, it's easier to see how you can help the pony do a better job. 

APPROACH

As the pony approaches the fence he sees it for the first time. If the approach is straight and controlled, the pony has more time to study the fence as he is about to jump. In the picture at the top of the page, the rider is sitting slightly forward, but not too far in case she needs to sit down on the seat and urge her pony on at the last moment. The rider's lower legs are straight, close to the ponies sides, and her hands are firm enough to keep the pony straight.

TAKEOFF

The pony bends his knees and lifts his legs to take off. His neck is arched which makes it look shorter, and his hindquarters come beneath him, ready for an upward spring. The rider has let her hands move with  his head, and as he lifts his shoulders, she folds farther forward from her hips, to take the weight off his back, and to stay in balance with him. If she did this too soon, she would make it harder for him to take off.

IN THE AIR

All four feet in the air, and the pony's and neck are stretched forward. His back has has rounded into a nice curved shape called a "bascule". His hind feet are stretched out behind, toward the point he took off from. The rider has stayed still in the forward position, with her weight off his back. By looking ahead and keeping her lower leg straight, she is staying in balance with her pony.

LANDING

 The pony's forelegs stretch out to touch the ground, one at a time. He brings his head back up to help him balance and to minimize the shock on his forehand. His back legs are tucking neatly in behind. If they didn't he might catch the fence.  The rider absorbs all the shock of landing through her ankles and knees. If she fell back into the saddle it would be uncomfortable for her pony and would through him off balance.

POLEWORK

Working over the poles is an excellent introduction to jumping for you and your pony. It will give you both confidence, and improve your rhythm and balance. You should practice all of these exercises with your instructor who can help you do the position correct.

FIRST POLES