Heres some random pictures from lessons, our Emerging Athletes program and the most recent show. Have at us.

 Heres the album- http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii176/TwoSoxLover/Tucker/

 

From what I see, I need to strech my heel down more, I jump ahead of him, and need to release more over jumps. Also my toe points out.

You guys look very cute together. I do think that you tend to make too big of an effort, in terms of your jumping position. You need to relax a bit and let the horse jump up to you instead of "chasing" him to the jump - just think about letting your hip angle close and pushing your butt back towards the back of the saddle, instead of launching yourself forward out of the saddle. This can also cause your lower leg to slip back a bit too far (like in the 6th pic). Also, you look a bit stiff in your upper body - remember, even though you want to stretch up straight, you need to keep your joints unlocked and flexible.

Hope that doesn't sound too harsh. I do think that you two look lovely together - and, as evidenced by your inclusion in the Emerging Athletes program, you are clearly a good rider.  We all have things that we need to work on in order to improve our riding skills...in fact, after 20 years of riding, the things that I don't know could fill volumes. So, good work, and keep it up!

 I agree with Frizz on the hip angle -- that is the biggest thing that jumps out at me from your jumping pictures.  This is really common when you are focusing on staying super still over the jump, you tend to go tense through your hip and back.  This locks your hip angle, pinches your knee and results in you jumping up your horse's neck.

Think about instead really trying to stay soft and melting down around the horse approaching the jump.  Focus on keeping your hips and back relaxed and your lower back flat and soft.  Wait for your horse to make the effort and think about just allowing your hip angle to close like a hinge.  Singing or talking over the jump can really help with this as it forces you to keep breathing which fights tension.  When I am jumping, I try to keep up a chant in my head of "soft soft soft soft soft give" as the horse approaches the jump and takes off.  You can also think about actually pushing your butt backwards as the horse jumps, this can also help keep your seat over the saddle in the air and keep your hip angle mobile.

Congrats again for making the program, I'm sure y'all will learn so much great stuff!

 First off you are sitting on your crotch. This causes your back to hollow. Sit on your seat bones! This will make your back flat.

 Also keep your toe pointed forward. This will keep your leg where it's supposed to be, which is under your seat. It seems a little too far forward.

 Other than that I don't see anything else wrong dealing with your EQ.

 

I noticed your shirt by the way, EAP? Emerging Athletes Program. Are you a part of it?

Thanks guys! Ill be sure to remeber to relax. 

xrde2lve_lve2rdex:

I noticed your shirt by the way, EAP? Emerging Athletes Program. Are you a part of it?

Yhea. I did the session in Tyler 3 weeks ago. It was a ton of fun!

xrde2lve_lve2rdex:

 Also keep your toe pointed forward.

Actually, the toe should be slightly turned out, as noted here http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/english/hunter_jumper/jumping_clinic_classics_052409/ in George Morris' jumping critique.

 

 I'm just going to follow you around and agree with you Frizzle, LOL.  :-)  Plus, for many people over about 20, conformation does not allow us to turn the toe straight ahead.  I've got an old busted ankle and if someone tries to turn that foot crazy straight, I'll limp for two weeks.  As long as the joint is soft and relaxed and the leg is wrapped around the horse hanging straight from the hip with the inner thigh against the horse, you're good.

Lol, Solo, it will be a circle then, because I'm usually in agreement with you.

I was a bit worried seeing a lot of advice on different threads that toes should be straight forward...I don't even see how that's possible (?). Much as we whine about the great GM harping on people about hairnets and shiny boots, he did literally write the book(s) on hunters and equitation, so it's pretty hard to argue against his eq advice.

frizzle, solo,

you guys are right, a lot of eq riders get the toes straight thing from their trainers. this is not very conducive to riding but on the show circuits this is the norm. I rode western pleasure for years and heard the same thing. now to have truly effective leg you have to have your calves on your horse and your toes slightly turned, straight toes equal less contact. I am in complete agreement of all the previous advice (minus the straight toes).

 You guys have no idea how happy I am to hear about this toes straight thing. I have had this crammed down my throat for the last few months and so I have been killing myself trying to get my toes to be prefectly straight. As a result I have less contact with my calve, more contact with my knees (not good) and my ankles and knees ache like crazy by the time I'm done. It didn't feel natural at all and wasn't how I used to ride (with my toes slightly out) and my position was much better when I rode with them slightly out. Not to mention not being in pain. So I'm going to go back to that.

 Well then your doing it wrong. You don't turn yourentire leg in trying to get your toe straight. Sit in a chair and lift your feet off the ground. Now simply turn your feet towards each other and away from each other. See...they work independently. It's that way when riding. Just turn your toes in (rotate your ankle - not your leg). You will be putting most of the weight on the outside of your heel. 

Your right it doe give you less calf contact - which is the point!!! It allows you to close your calf for your leg aid instead of lifting up your heel to apply a leg aid which makes you loose your stirrup. 

 And for all of the people talking about GM. Yes he did write the books on equitation. But he also wrote the book on the American Riding Style and where and how is origionated (I've read all of his books) and he talk about THINGS CHANGING. He said "people will adopt each technique as their own and this really is the essence of the American Riding Stlye". Hence things will change...

 If it's any justification I keep my toes straight and it has given me sooo much more security and balance. 

IrishRider, I have no idea where all this "toes straight" nonsense is coming from, but I do encourage you to listen to your own instincts (and body). And, if you pick up any issue of Practical Horseman and flip to GM's Jumping Critique, yup, it always says the stirrup should be angled across the ball of the foot, with the litte toe just hitting the outside branch of the iron, toes turned slightly out, calf resting against the horse's side, ankle flexed and heel down. I would take his advice over most others'.

 Hi Frizzle. I have a subcription to PH(love that mag) and I always try to critque the pics before reading GM's comments. Haha. Just to see if I "get it". I have noticed that he says that and so I have always angled the stirrup where he says it should be but then I'll have my trainer telling me "Toes in" every time I pass her in the arena. And it's not like I have them pointing straight out and she's just telling me to have them in a little further. They are always just out slightly. Let me tell you, I'm not going to miss the pain. :)

Irish rider,

what is your instuctors main dicipline? that may answer why she wants your toes straight. Is your instructor mostly shows/trains/instructs in the stock breeds-that may be your answer. Stock horse shows push the toes straight equitation. It would Greatly surprize me if your instructor was in the warmblood/hunter/jumper type shows. This is just one of those things that set the stock type and the warmblood type of riding (not even western vs. english) apart!

 She does strictly Hunter/Jumper training and riding. I didn't know that about the stock breed stuff. Very interesting. And this toes in thing is a recent thing for her. She never used to harp on it and I have heard her telling other students to do it too.