Answer

By Your Horse

Show Jumping Rider and Trainer Carol Mailer advises:

The best way to establish a balanced and comfortable position for jumping is to practise ‘standing trot’. Try standing in your stirrups while trotting, without bumping back on to the saddle or tipping too forward over the horse’s shoulder. Hang on to a neck strap to start with so you don’t use the reins as a safety handle. Think about all your weight dropping down through your stirrups. All your hinges – your ankles, knees, hips and waist – need to have a bit of give to them, so you can absorb the movement of the trot and feel comfortable.
When you can manage this for 15 to 20 strides, you’re well on theway to developing the right position to hold over a fence when you jump. Try holding the same position in canter, still keeping all your weight down into the stirrups.
Next, build a small grid and canter through it, trying to keep your position the same. Think about following the horse and absorbing his movement through your hinges, chin well up, and using the neck strap if you feel a bit wobbly.
Try to fold into position without thinking too hard about arranging yourself. Just make sure your leg is encouraging and your rein contact is consistent.
● For more advice on show jumping, see our feature in Issue 311, page 101