Why am I so inept at it?! I’ve jumped a million jumps in my life on more than 100 horses, but with all of my experience I still feel like a drunken monkey when trying to trot jumps. What are some reason why riders struggle with staying with a horse while trotting fences?
Trot jumps suck, that is just one of those universal rules :lol:. They just almost always feel awkward and unfortunately doing them is a really good exercise…sigh. Sitting the trot a couple strides out sometimes helps, sometimes not. How coordinated the horse is seems to make a big difference in trot jumps too. The big lug I was leasing who I feel sometimes doesn’t realize his front end and hind end are connected to one brain would always be horrible over trot jumps. The tiny, nimble guy I’m riding now has absolutely no issue and his trot jumps feel just like his canter jumps.
Trot fences feel awkward because the timing is more difficult. When cantering, it’s much easier to “feel” and predict when the horse will take off. At the trot, there are two options-- left leg forward, or right leg forward–and it can be hard to get the timing right. Too early and you throw your upper body, unbalancing the horse. Too late, and you risk hitting him in the back. Use a placing rail to take the guesswork out of the timing issue.
Use a placing rail between 7-9’ from the trot fence. Ride a nice trot rhythm. Stare at rail on the ground through the turn as you approach; when the rail disappears between the horse’s ears, look up and beyond the fence. Allow your hands to move forward with the horse’s mouth while staying patient with your upper body. The horse will “lift” slightly over the rail, setting himself up for a good distance and making it easier for your body to stay in sync with his effort.
I was taught to use the above 7’-placing-rail trot fence as a warmup, raising it gradually until it is 3" higher than competition height. It builds confidence to know you can safely trot a bigger fence than you will show over.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlW5V6lmOjk
[QUOTE=KateKat;8281465]
Sitting the trot a couple strides out sometimes helps[/QUOTE]
This–although I’ve never had sitting hurt; I feel it always helps. I also think a lot of horses are just more variable in how they jump trot jumps, so it’s harder to know what to expect. My current greenie sometimes launches, sometimes just steps over. I hold mane and/or neckstrap. 
[QUOTE=EventerAJ;8281484]
Trot fences feel awkward because the timing is more difficult. When cantering, it’s much easier to “feel” and predict when the horse will take off. At the trot, there are two options-- left leg forward, or right leg forward–and it can be hard to get the timing right. Too early and you throw your upper body, unbalancing the horse. Too late, and you risk hitting him in the back. Use a placing rail to take the guesswork out of the timing issue.
Use a placing rail between 7-9’ from the trot fence. Ride a nice trot rhythm. Stare at rail on the ground through the turn as you approach; when the rail disappears between the horse’s ears, look up and beyond the fence. Allow your hands to move forward with the horse’s mouth while staying patient with your upper body. The horse will “lift” slightly over the rail, setting himself up for a good distance and making it easier for your body to stay in sync with his effort.
I was taught to use the above 7’-placing-rail trot fence as a warmup, raising it gradually until it is 3" higher than competition height. It builds confidence to know you can safely trot a bigger fence than you will show over.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlW5V6lmOjk[/QUOTE]
That is a beautiful video 
And what makes that video extra great is the horse looks so much like my horse so I can use it as visualization and inspiration! Thanks AJ
I will definitely use a placing rail… the new trainer I’m working with did not offer that option today, but I will be practicing with one this weekend for sure. And yes, sitting definitely helps with most horses. This one is just so different than anything else I’ve ever jumped. I will get it though!!
I find it much more comfortable if I come in with a lot of collection. If my horse has a long stride or not enough power, we usually end up leaving long or throw ourselves over the fence. Think about riding to the base.
Also, I find it helps if I really focus on keeping a somewhat upright upper body. I usually try to come in a half-seat, so touching the saddle but not sitting completely (which usually makes me get left behind). And WAIT for the horse to lift the front end. That’s usually the hardest part!
And I agree with trotting 3" taller than competition height. Sure teaches you how to wait for the horse, and makes you feel much more confident cantering down to a fence.
[QUOTE=KateKat;8281465]
Sitting the trot a couple strides out sometimes helps, sometimes not.[/QUOTE]
This… I’m currently working on my position doing a lot of these exercises. This is what my trainer has me doing. I sit the last 3 or 4 steps and then I end up in a MUCH better position over the jump. I find the timing hard and I like to jump ahead. This has helped me a lot.
Love the video, EventerAJ!!
If you notice, she sits just as the horse goes over the pole, which allows her body to be in a good place for the take off. Doing a posting trot into the fence is much harder, than sitting. So, try posting in, sit at the step rail and follow the horses jump.
Also, please notice the awesome hands of the rider. She does not pick, but lets her horse move to the jump from a forward, balanced ride and following elbows and seat.
EventerAJ, I am assuming that you are the rider? If so, call me very impressed. :yes:
Placing poles help quite a bit but it’s almost a bit of a mind game of just making yourself relax and wait for the horse to leave the ground. Super good for those of us who like to throw our shoulders:lol:
Found another great video of the exercises my trainer had me do with every single young horse. Trot jumps really teach them to wait to the base and rock back over the jump- https://vimeo.com/3550607
I have gotten much better at trotting to the jump since it is all I do with my filly right now. She got into that part of her training where she thought she knew best and started to bolt and fling herself over the jumps. We have gone back to trotting over jumps - at first she would still bolt and fling, but bringing her back to a trot, keeping the jumps low, and really making her wait helped. We have raised the jumps a bit again and she has gotten much better.
I never post to the jump. She still canters after the jump, which I don’t want to discourage, so when doing a course or series of jumps, we canter for a bit, then trot and I do more of a half seat and sit quiet and half halt (when necessary) to the jump.
Prior to spending the last 6 weeks or so doing this, I hated trotting to jumps and just could not figure myself out doing it.
[QUOTE=ACMEeventing;8281504]
That is a beautiful video :)[/QUOTE]
Thank you!
[QUOTE=Auburn;8282326]Love the video, EventerAJ!!
If you notice, she sits just as the horse goes over the pole, which allows her body to be in a good place for the take off. Doing a posting trot into the fence is much harder, than sitting. So, try posting in, sit at the step rail and follow the horses jump.
Also, please notice the awesome hands of the rider. She does not pick, but lets her horse move to the jump from a forward, balanced ride and following elbows and seat.
EventerAJ, I am assuming that you are the rider? If so, call me very impressed. :yes:[/QUOTE]
Thank you for the kind comments. It’s easy to look good when you’re sitting on a nice horse. :winkgrin: I could do just about anything with that mare…single barrels, crazy angles, ride bridleless, she was always game. She’s 17 and retired now, her colt is 2 years old and I hope he’s just like her when he grows up.
As far as sitting trot vs. posting, I always came in at an active posting trot. I never consciously sat over the rail, it just sort of happened. My focus is on looking at the rail, thinking heels down, stay tall, elbows soft, eyes up. I don’t think about sitting or posting, just let my body stay in balance and wait.
I hesitate to tell all riders to sit the trot into a fence, because some people get tense trying to sit, and start gripping with knees or locking their elbows. Other people have “electric butt” and sit too hard, shoving the horse at the fence. If you can sit softly, yes it can help you remain patient with your upper body. But it depends on your (and your horse’s) strengths and weaknesses. For a rider who tends to get left behind or fold too sharply, and/or a horse who wants to rush, posting the trot can help them concentrate on rhythm and close the hip angle properly.
Burnedout, I’m glad I could help with some inspiration! Have fun and report back how it goes.
[QUOTE=Jleegriffith;8282334]
Placing poles help quite a bit but it’s almost a bit of a mind game of just making yourself relax and wait for the horse to leave the ground. Super good for those of us who like to throw our shoulders:lol:
Found another great video of the exercises my trainer had me do with every single young horse. Trot jumps really teach them to wait to the base and rock back over the jump- https://vimeo.com/3550607[/QUOTE]
What are the placing rails at here? 9ft?
EventerAJ, I want to be just like you when I grow up. :D:uhoh:
Thanks guys! Sitting a few steps in front of the jumps and coming in with a more rounded trot definitely help me to stay with him! Now to work on my release :yes:
Thanks for this post! Did the exercise in the video with maresy and it really helped her with her take off as she’s a bit fond of the long spot. Also helped me to not “help” so much and just let her take it.
