Does anyone know of a video or have pictures of good form/position over 2’ fences? I have no problem finding pics and videos of riders over larger fences obviously but the lower fences seem harder to come by. I feel like it would help me to see what it should look like. Thanks!
The horse just canters over anything below about 2’6". They don’t “jump”, meaning rock back and push off behind. And they don’t get all 4 feet off the ground for any air time over the fence until at least 3’ ( depending on how big the horse is). All 4 feet need to be off the ground at the same time to really be considered a “jump”. If it’s a big horse, that’s going to take a big fence. Preferably a spread as wide as the fence is tall like an oxer.
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I should probably mention I mean the rider’s form, not the horse’s form.
My best advice is buy a camcorder and tripod. I got my set up for about $200. Video your lessons/rides. Where I place my camcorder depends on what I’m doing that day.
Really you shouldn’t be doing much over 2’ fences. I ride them in a 2-point. Terribly ride them most times but that’s a different story:lol:
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Look on videos of gymnastics, like on Equestrian Coach, they often are showing how to do things over lower fences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjlbvqnn-vg
This is from a mini medal (2’6") championship some where. Although the rider maybe changes her hip angle a little too much in places, its a very nice example of good equitation at that level
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Ohhhhhhh…got it. But I’ll leave the reply there as basic information. It’s somewhat true of riders too, since theres no jump, there’s no need for a huge release or great change in hip angle to follow the horses body action, not much change from a good, secure flatwork position. Instructors often teach an exagerrated position over very low fences to develop awareness of the correct jumping position, that’s fine. But many go too far, IMO, and create an insecure position for looks instead of practicality and safety. Nothing really that good looking about heaving up the neck over a non jump…
The videos you seek are going to be scattered all over, not on the usual sites. Nationally Rated classes don’t go below 3’ ( except Ponies) and the sites that have most of the videos are typically rated classes. Look at local show and club sites. And just because there’s a video doesn’t mean it’s correct.
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It’s a struggle to figure it out. I am currently bringing my horse back from an injury. He’s big. I’m tall and all torso. We are showing in 2’ classes for the time being until we both get back into a groove. He’s really not exerting a ton of athletic effort in the long stirrup division and he thinks it’s awesome.
My hip angle isn’t as closed as it is over bigger fences, but I’m still in the same place. What was said above about pretty much staying in 2-point is a good reference. There is no need for a huge release or to be laying on the neck. Don’t jump ahead and keep your leg secure (wait… that’s just me
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I struggle with this. Going from muscle memory over bigger fences to doing 2 foot right now- I did a ridiculous “fold”. :eek: I knew it, trainer helped correct it. sigh. It’s like my body WANTS to do this closed hip angle that is definitely NOT needed and does not help, is more of a hindrance making the horse more on her forehand on the other side. Work in progress…
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Excessive hip folding over tiny fences puts the rider in a position more suited to diving into a pool then riding a horse. And dive these riders do, right off over the shoulder, at the slightest bobble.
Its all about a strong and secure position at any height. That position is the basic one.
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Get this book, “Form Over Fences” by Jane Marshall Dillon. Mostly pictures of the horse in flight over jumps, with her students, from beginners over the low jumps to her advanced students over higher jumps. Every picture is analyzed to show the faults and to point out the good parts of the rider’s position.
It is out of print, but several are available used on Amazon for $10.00 or so on up.
I gave this book to my riding teacher.
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Ideally, you are supposed to stay in the 1/2 seat and let the horse’s neck come up to you to close the gap. Since the horse’s neck does not move very much, either should your upper body.
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Try looking for some Youtube videos of the IHSA Nationals. These will be some of the top collegiate equitation riders in the country, so most of their equitation will be very good to excellent. If you look at the novice divisions the fences will be around 2’3". The Cacchione Cup class will be at around 3’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z32An3JahQI - this is a video showing 3 riders at Nationals, the first one at 2’3", the second at 2’6", the third at 2’9".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyG9d0EDpiw - this is a video of the 2011 champion’s round at 2’3"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn7iEMElikU - here is a video of the 5th place ride from 2015 at 2’3"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLxVpijOHhE - here is the 2015 Alumni champion, this division is also run at about 2’3"
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Thank you everyone!!
I highly recommend Jane Marshall Dillon’s Form Over Fence too, its out of print but easy to find online.
So this is exactly why I have the OPPOSITE issue. I have too defensive a posture and tend to jump more or less upright under 2’, which is all my baby is ready for. If I go to full on folding over the jump I am putting too much weight on my horse’s neck and throwing him on the forehand. So to try to get the best of both worlds and retrain my body, I am jumping with wide hands and not touching the neck and letting my hips close. So far so good, I will fix my hands later lol
It may be helpful to watch some rounds of low regional Medal Finals, too. There’s quite a few on YouTube. This was the second round of the overall winner of a regional 2’6" medal finals from a few years ago:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eECoXI1wHEA&t=122s
Mostly at 2’6" and under, as others have mentioned, a soft, following ride with good weight in your heels and neither too much or nor too little breakover (but tall through the shoulders) does the trick.
