Expert: Sarah Lothmann - 6/9/2008

Question
Hey there. I gotta quick question maybe you can help me out. I have been showing in jumpers for over 7 years, and i jump about 4' to about 5'3''. And over the past 3 months, my 2 point has fallen apart during my seasonal training before the summer. And it's almost embarrassing being that I am one of the top riders and a trainer in that fact at my barn. But I just wanted to know if you could help me get my two point back together and some tips that I could try while going over the jump, some exercises, etc. It would mean a lot to me.

Thank you!
Katie

Answer
I have a few things you can try.  As dedicated as you are, I am sure you'll give these tips all your effort.  Sometimes even the best develop bad habits.  Some of these slips happen because the rider isn't challenged enough, and sometimes a change in a saddle can result in loss of form.  Here are my suggestions to regain your strength and form in your jumping position.

Begin by spending several riding sessions with out your stirrups.  I know, I know.... who really enjoys this?  Probably you do.  I know I did.  Not initially of course, but the end result makes it all worth while.  So loose your stirrups for a few weeks.  Don't just cross them either.  Actually take them off your saddle and leave them in your tack trunk.

Alternate your riding attire.  Spend some sessions in chaps and others in breeches and tall boots.

Find a pony in the barn who runs through his trot to canter and is stubborn to do lead changes.  Ride this pony a few days each week working without stirrups and focusing on transitions and lead changes.  If the pony goes with a bit of a spur, loose the spur and consider using a crop if need be.

Next, find the big horse in the barn who is a bit of a couch.  Usually one of your big Warmbloods with the mentality of "wouldn't hurt a fly" is your best bet for this.  Try to ride this one twice a week.  One day ride him bare back without chaps, just your jeans.  Have fun with this ride.  Your second day of riding him each week should ideally be an exercise of flat work.  Think of the dressage elements you have learned to apply to your over fences work.  Forget about much posting with this one.  Sit the trot and work on collection and extension and of course flexion.  While riding these exercises keep your mind envisioning a longer leg and a relaxed thigh.  Many riders start gripping with their thighs too close to the front of their thigh near the knee cap.  Over the top of the fence this inadvertently leads to pinching with the knee.  Every jumper rider knows the dangers that come with that!  So, keep your leg long using focused lower leg to hold you in position and a relaxed thigh gently gripping as needed.

Now find the Thoroughbred mare in your barn.  She's probably the 15.3h lean looking thing with scope like no other!  Her agility will help you heighten your muscle memory.  Set up a ground pole to a large cross rail with a tight roll back turn to a low bounce.  Set this up with two rollbacks - one in either direction so that you can track right and left.  Trot in over the ground pole.  This is an excellent exercise of quick muscle demands that gives your muscles the strength and memory needed for the speed rounds.

Finally, as far as physical exercise, set up a gymnastics.  Start in low and tight and finish at 3'6" with a wide oxer and at a lengthened striding.  This burns your legs quite a bit, but it is definitely worth it!  This will also help you to maintain a proper hip angle over the jumps.  Many riders develop a bad habit of closing their hip angle too much and leaning on their horses neck.  This as you know is disastrous and also allows your legs to loose position and strength!  So, a gymnastics is a good tool to help cure any issues there.

As you are jumping, pay attention to two important elements.  Whether you are looking over your shoulder for your next jump or not, your eyes should always be even with the horizon line.  Be sure you are spotting and not glancing down.  The other element to keep aware of is your shoulders.  While it is perfectly okay to open a shoulder during a jump to setup for your roll backs, it is not okay to drop a shoulder!  Your shoulders, like your eyes must be even with the horizon line!

So, there is a huge list of things to work on!  I promise this will get you whipped into shape in no time!  When all is done, go home and take an Epsom salt bath for yourself!  You'll need it!  Good luck and I hope this is helpful for you!  Thank you for stopping by and asking for my advice!