The Riders Position over Jumps
Figure 10,
(Photographic Memories UK and Hamilton-Fletcher, 2013)
(Photographic Memories UK and Hamilton-Fletcher, 2013)
A rider with a secured, supple and well established position on the flat will have good balance over fences and follow the horse’s movement fluently (Linington-Payne, 2013). When jumping the rider must sit forwards out of their seat which will take the weight off of the horses back. This forward seat allows the rider to adapt to the horses movement more. (Hagen, 2004)
The rider must develop a different position when riding over fences from the dressage position because the horse’s centre of balance moves forward therefore the rider must adjust to this; the jumping position removes the weight from the horses back whilst still allowing the rider to be in control (Houghton-Brown, 2000)
The rider’s stirrup length should be one or two holes shorter when riding over jumps then it is when riding on the flat; this will allow the rider to achieve a light seat distributing the body weight between the lower legs much more easily (Linington-Payne, 2012). The rider’s knees should lie against the saddle; however they will have a greater angle at the joint due to having shorter stirrups. The calf must lay flat to help secure the position of the rider. In dressage the rider’s seat and legs are used to aid the horse, however in the jumping position the rider’s seat is not in contact with the horse, therefore the main driving aid are the legs. (Hagen, 2004)
The rider’s shoulders, elbows and wrists must stay relaxed; keeping an even contact; the outline that is expected during dressage is not expected when riding over fences as the horse will use its neck to balance himself. (Hagen, 2004)
The rider must develop a different position when riding over fences from the dressage position because the horse’s centre of balance moves forward therefore the rider must adjust to this; the jumping position removes the weight from the horses back whilst still allowing the rider to be in control (Houghton-Brown, 2000)
The rider’s stirrup length should be one or two holes shorter when riding over jumps then it is when riding on the flat; this will allow the rider to achieve a light seat distributing the body weight between the lower legs much more easily (Linington-Payne, 2012). The rider’s knees should lie against the saddle; however they will have a greater angle at the joint due to having shorter stirrups. The calf must lay flat to help secure the position of the rider. In dressage the rider’s seat and legs are used to aid the horse, however in the jumping position the rider’s seat is not in contact with the horse, therefore the main driving aid are the legs. (Hagen, 2004)
The rider’s shoulders, elbows and wrists must stay relaxed; keeping an even contact; the outline that is expected during dressage is not expected when riding over fences as the horse will use its neck to balance himself. (Hagen, 2004)
(HorseandRiderMag, 2012, Tim Stockdale, Perfecting your Jumping Position)