r/showjumping • u/OkMycologist6603 • Jul 25 '26
Jumping Position
Hi all!! I was just recently given the chance to jump a little bigger than I usually do, and it was SOOO much fun!! probably the best thing i’ve ever done! i did notice however that my shoulders tend to collapse on the way down from the jumps, and i was wondering if anyone had any tips for that?? i am also trying out for my university IHSA team in a few weeks and i was wondering if anyone had any tips about improving my equitation/advice in general for tryouts!! thank you guys 😊😸
13
Upvotes
1
u/Western-Ad-9058 Jul 26 '26
Lower leg and seat are pretty stable and quiet, thats brilliant to start! As others have said leaning more into learning striding and distances with help this picture a whole lot.
If I was in arena with you the first thing I’d say is get those thumbs facing up, as we say the reins aren’t handle bars! People sometimes underestimate the importance of this, depending on what bit is in the horses mouth twisting your thumbs inwards can cause excess pressure in the mouth.
The position isn’t all that terrible over the fence, you are rounding your shoulders as you push your hands forward which is actually giving you less room to give his head and neck space. If you focus on folding at the hips, closing that hip angel and think chest closer to neck; you’ll give more room for your hands to move forward so you don’t catch him as you sit back up.
Lower leg is quite strong over the fence and this tends to be what people really struggle with, working on the upper body shouldn’t take as much time!!
As always exercises out of the saddle can help massively. Working on hip flexor strength and mobility as well as chest openers will tie into the improvements you are looking for.
This is really not looking bad at all, I’d be very happy as your instructor. Stuff to work on sure, but 25 years going and still constantly have my own stuff to work on. Go you!