Cuna and I are making huge strides forward. Our dressage ride on Monday was quite lovely, actually, and we're on the schedule for a jump lesson later this week.
That said, we lesson infrequently because I can afford it infrequently. As such, it is in my best interests to improve as much as possible in between the lessons.
Observe.
I love how I rode that big oxer for the first 2/3rds of the jump. As Cuna starts to come down, I unfold and bump him with my hands.
Bad form.
Tomorrow (or Thursday, since I've already overbooked tomorrow), I am hunting down a very complex piece of tack: an old stirrup leather. I'm going to put it on his neck and hang on to it over the fences so that if all else fails, I remember to stay in balance over him and keep my hands forward.
It's a simple fix to a hopefully easily correctable problem, but it's the next big position issue I want to take down so we can keep advancing.
PS ENTER OUR CONTEST!!! Entries are open until 12/31, so hop on it while it's hot. ;)
I know little of jumping. I was really impressed by that video, because you totally didn't fall off. I would have fallen off.
ReplyDeleteI do have a suggestion in case you can't find an old stirrup leather, though. Baling twine. It's everywhere, it's free, and it makes a great grab strap! I've got some looped between the D rings on my saddle for me to grab on to when I need to steady my hand. I imagine that with a little ingenuity you could easily fashion some baling twine into a strap for Cuna's neck. Some of our hay comes with a pretty turquoise blue baling twine that would complement Cuna's coloring nicely!
A lady at my barn uses spur straps (the nylon ones) attached to the d-rings on the saddle.
ReplyDeletea stirrup leather is what most use, but then my coach said one day...you really shouldn't be hanging on unless it's an emergency...you need to learn how to carry hands without help. I was like...true lol.
ReplyDeletecute video, just looks like maybe a little more umph would have made it perfect.
Bahahaha, lesson infrequently. Noooo, you don't get to use that one, rofl.
ReplyDeleteNeck straps ARE awesome. I have two: one is an old stirrup leather and I tie the loose end with baling twine in a little orange bow. Very classy. The other is (not kidding) a biothane western tie down I found in a trash pile. It has snaps on both ends so I can just snap it around the neck (lazy people like easy) -- wider than the stirrup leather, FREE, and baling-twine-free for when I want to look really boss. Ha!!
Ok, point taken. I was comparing myself to people who can lesson 2 or 3 times a week and feeling jealous. A couple times a month (our current setup) is exponentially better than what many can afford.
DeleteNo joke! I think if I could lesson 3 times a week, I'd be at Intermediate by now, ROFL! I'd be happy with twice a month and we could be solid at Training by this point at least. Oh well -- I've decided that being an adult amateur with a full time+ other non-horse job is what it is, you play the cards you're dealt, and you make it the best it can be. Because if I compare myself to people in more amenable situations like yours or others, I'll only make myself crazy. And I'd rather just enjoy the journey, whatever our pace may be and we can all drink a beer together because the endgame is what we all have in common.
DeleteBeer ftw.
DeleteI wonder if this an eventer thing, as a result from coming up quickly after an XC fence? I do it too, and MAN is it a hard habit to break! I'm interested to hear how the stirrup leather works for you - I haven't gone that route because I tend to release much higher up the neck than a stirrup leather would sit. I am, however, quite good at grabbing mane! ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's an ingrained XC response. It keeps us behind them on the landing, which is safe and desirable on uneven terrain. It's just not effective or desirable in the arena, and it will make a difference as the jumps go up.
DeleteIf you want your strap higher up the neck, just punch some holes so you can buckle it shorter.
DeleteI have the same issue. I'm required to grab mane every time. I think its helping.
ReplyDeleteOld stirrup leathers are great for that purpose. A lot of it is muscle memory - teaching your hands to stay forward. You guys look great and so BAMFy in that video :D :D
ReplyDeleteI also do what Sarah does, I grab a bit of mane if the jump turns out to be coming at an awkward distance or if I'm not as balanced as I need to be.
ReplyDeleteI think you and Cuna look great together.
Oh, no worries--I am a firm believer in mane grabbing. I just seem to be letting it go too soon. I'm thinking a strap might be a nice, tangible reminder.
DeleteThe start looks really nice but you'll get there! I think I'm going to have to try the stirrup leather trick, good idea.
ReplyDelete