Common Show Jumping Position Faults

A look at some common show jumping position faults in the sport of showjumping. A few very common faults with rider position and proper rein release while showjumping.

The Swinging lower leg is one of the most common showjump position faults …

This usually occurs if the rider pinches or grips with the knees, if they lack contact throughout the whole leg (for example, has no contact
with the thigh), or if they ride with stirrups that are too long to provide support.

Since the lower leg is the riders anchor, a swinging lower leg greatly decreases security and can be very dangerous if the rider is jumping complex fences at high speeds.

There are two acceptable occasions for a swinging leg.

• First, the Grand Prix rider may lose position because the fences are so large, and his horse’s thrust and motion is very difficult to stay with. Riders of this caliber are generally able to compensate for their deviations from the classical position due to skill and experience.
• Second, this is commonly seen by hunter riders, because their horses have such powerful jumps and great bascule, that it is hard to stay with the jump.

However, In both cases you will see riders that are still able to maintain a classical position.

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The Rider Jumping ahead show jumping position fault …

This involves the rider opening the hip angle over the fence, rather than folding back, so that the majority of their body is in front of the line made by the stirrup leather.

The lower leg usually swings backward. It places the rider in a very insecure position, since the rider not only loses her base of support (her lower leg), but also is in front of the horse’s centre of motion. This means that the rider will fall forward (and possibly off) if the horse for any reason slows down his motion, (stops, runs out, or stumbles).

Secondly, this throws the rider’s weight over the horse’s shoulders, making it very difficult for the horse to pick it up as he takes off and harder for him to get out of trouble on landing.

Riders most commonly jump ahead if they are trying to jump for their horse or if they anticipate the take-off and do not wait for the horse to close their hip and knee angles. It is also seen in the hunter arena, as some believe it makes their horse’s jump look more powerful.

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Rider getting left behind. Common show jumping position fault …

When the riders body is mostly behind the line made by the perpendicular stirrup leather and behind the horses motion.

This results in the rider placing extra weight on the horse’s back.

Although hitting the horse in the back is a huge fault in the hunter and jumper arenas, because it punishes the horse for rounding into the bascule which is essential in those disciplines.

It is acceptable when riding the cross-country phase in eventing.

This is because it places the rider in an extremely secure seat (as riders usually fall off over the shoulder of the horse, not the hindquarters), and because a great bascule is not encouraged cross-country.

Instead, it is better if the horse jumps slightly flat for most fences, because they are very wide, and because a flat jump is usually a quicker jump, therefore making it easier for the rider to make the time.

This position is performed in degrees depending on the type of fence, with most fences where the rider is behind the motion but not putting his seat bones on the horse’s back, and others, such as drop fences, where it is essential that the rider keep his seat completely in the saddle
for security purposes.

However, getting left behind sometimes occurs if :

• the rider’s upper body is too open and she is leaning back before the fence,
• if the horse takes off from a very long distance (jumps from too far back),
• or if the rider’s lower leg is shoved so far forward in front of the knee that it forces the upper body back.

In all cases, the rider must slip the reins to provide the horse freedom of movement to get over the fence.

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Failing to Release the Rein Properly …

This is a mortal sin in all riding circles, as it can cause the horse to jump flat and, will eventually make the horse detest jumping.

The horse will learn to associate showjumping with pain and will eventually lead to refusals, stopping and running out.

A poor release may occur for several reasons …

• First, the rider may use the reins for support over the fence because she has not developed correct balance.
• The rider really should grab the horses’ mane and avoid hitting the horse in the mouth.
• Secondly, a rider may be left behind the motion. In this case, the rider should slip the reins.

Some riders do this when they are mounted on strong horses, and they wish to tell the horse to slow down over the fence before landing.

Or they get into the habit of overusing their hands between fences and forget to release.

In this case, the rider must make a conscious effort to remember to release the horse during the jump.

• It also occurs when riders plant their hands on the neck over a fence to support their upper body, but the hands are placed too far back to allow the horse adequate rein.
• Or if the rider keeps contact during take-off but then stiffen their elbows such that they don’t follow that contact forward over the fence.

Occasionally, it appears as if a rider is not releasing enough, when in fact she is slipping the reins or performing a correct automatic release.

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An incorrect release. Another of the common showjump position faults …

This occurs when the rider releases by shoving her hands above the horses neck, into the air, or way down below the neck.

This not only looks sloppy, but changes the riders balance over the fence.

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