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why is my half-seat so weird? [pictures]?

hey guys. i've been riding western for 6 years now, and a couple months ago, i started english. my trainer says i'm improving ALOT and she's so proud of me. i can feel that i'm improving, too. but the thing is, i can't get the feel for my half-seat when i'm going over the jump. my half-seat is perfect on the ground. i can do it during the walk, trot, or canter, and it's perfectly fine. but since i started jumping about a month ago, it's come off as really weird looking, and it feels like it doesn't look right. i don't release my hands enough and sometimes i just kind of stand up in the saddle instead of leaning forward. it's not the fact that i can't do it, it's the fact that all i think about when going over the jump is "i need to stay on the horse." so i don't really think about my half-seat. jumping is still a little new to me and i just want some tips on how i can get my half-seat to come naturally to me when going over the jump. here's some pictures, but these are from the first time i started jumping, so i've improved alot. but i still want some tips. http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss313/RAWRRxxl0VEE/meboxx.jpg?t=1248716677 http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss313/RAWRRxxl0VEE/same.jpg?t=1248716723 http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss313/RAWRRxxl0VEE/leaningtoofar.jpg?t=1248716820 ^now, i know that my half-seat sucks ALOT in these pictures, and i have improved, but it's just giving you guys an idea of what i'm doing. thanks guys<33

Public Comments

1. you've got a great start. it looks like your holding the reins wrong. make sure they go from the bit, through the bottom of your hand, and out by your thumb. i couldnt find a good picture, but here is one that is sufficient http://www.imeha.org/images/dlbrein2on2.jpg you wont have double reins, it would be one rein, through all your fingers. your leg looks great. don't arch your back. keep it flat. instead of using your back to look up, use your neck to bend up to look ahead. i would do circles with your shoulders before you practice jumping to loosen up your neck. also, try bringing your neck forward and back before your lesson, or everytime you tense it up. anyway your doing a great job. keep up the good work! edit - i saw where you said its more like your standing. your angle looks really good in these pictures. but what can help is when the horse lifts his front end off the ground, you need to fold at the hip and the elbows to allow him to come up underneath you. also, really fall into your heals going over the jump. when you land, wait a couple of strides and sit up quietly.
2. ok first of all, its called 2-point. half-seat is when your but is just barely brushing the saddle and you are barely out of the saddle. 2-point is when you are fully out of the saddle. and your position isnt too bad actually. your leg is in a nice position. keep your back straight and your head up. your are sticking your boobs out a little and its creating a dip in your back. keep it straight! you need to squat more with your knees. you should bend at the waist only. your crotch should still be centered over the saddle- it should NOT pass the pommel. you seem to be jumping a little ahead of the horse. wait and he will take you over, feel it with your body. try closing your eyes to get your natural timing right. hope this helps
3. To me, it seems like you need to keep your head lower and keep your back straight. Also, it looks like you need to lower your hands just a little.
4. Before I start, what you are referring to as a half seat is called a 2-point. Half seat is when you are cantering and you are somewhat standing in your stirrups and barely sitting in the saddle. 2-point is the position you have in your pictures, the position you want over the jumps. Half-seat and 2-point are two different things. Now onto your question. Since you are still new to jumps, it will take awhile for you to feel the movement of the horse and flow with him/her over the jump. Your 2-point is not going to be perfect right at this point as you are still learning. It will improve and you will get better as you ride more and practice more. It's going to take time to perfect your position. You need to jump more and ride more. You get better as you do more. You can't rush these things as they take time to look good. You can't expect to look great right now. As for tips, stretch up more and don't put your hands so low on the horse's neck. Arch your back. Sink into your stirrups more so you don't have to press down in the horse's neck over the jump. Make sure all your weight is in your stirrups. Count your strides up to the jump so you don't get left behind or jump ahead and mess up the horse. Practice makes perfect. Give it time and you will become more comfortable eventually. It will come to you when you have the experience. Pretty soon you will be flowing with the horse like you were apart of him.
5. it looks pretty good... i didnt get it down till like two years ago and i've been riding for 9 years and jumping for 7! the only problem you seem to have is that you go over your horse at the release. i did the same thing but my trainer helped me fix it. he told me that instead of going into the half seat right when she gets there, try sitting a few strides before the jump and then let your body go up to the jump with the horse. it took me a few times to get it but it really helped! also, try not holding your hands soo high up. for a smaller jump, you don't need to hold your hands over her neck. try putting it a little farther back and then only put ur hands farther up when you're jumping say, 2'6" (if you do). this is me last wednesday: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39821419@N06/3743433360/in/photostream/ this was the best picture i could find ignore my heals... but my hands are too far up... i should've had them back for i was a little nervous because of the poles (my trainer did that because my horse was having issues picking up her feet... she can be lazy lol) but yeah just don't bend forward toooo much when you're going over small jumps say under 2' for it will look bad. also try to pull your hands back so that they're kinda right above where you usually ride. ps just to let you know it's called two-point not half seat.