Critique

[_KELSEY_]

Post your pictures here to be critiqued :D

[HHTrump76]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/ItsYourLove76/Red%20Coat%20Farm/Simon2.jpg

and...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/ItsYourLove76/Red%20Coat%20Farm/Sammy.jpg

The second photo I'm not as stretched out as I would like to be, but the gelding I was jumping is the kind that if you release just a bit much...he takes the bit and see ya later.

The first photo...I was riding in a jumper lesson one day...I had such a horrible day. I couldn't see a distance on this guy for the life of me. I've figured him out since this photo and I actually lessoned on him today over 4'3" fences and I had a few where my equitation was so perfect....lol. I just felt on the money.

[butterflyfx]

just stop roaching your back. :p other then that you look pretty solid. you could also get your eyes up. :)

[HunterDreams]

Maybe it's just me, but your stirrups could go down a hole :confused: .

You need to get your heel down and back straightened up a bit, and stop roaching it -- hehe. Get your chin up a bit and try to sit up more, don't lie against your horse's neck. Your release is nice, and your horse is lovely! Nice job.

[HunterDreams]

You can critique a few of mine, but please don't say anything about my release/reins in the 1st picture. I was working on not catching him in the mouth, sort of just giving.

2nd ~ After a year and a half of riding, I'm on the right.

3rd ~ Shelby's Conformation, just note he's standing on a hill.

4th ~ A really bad old confo pic.

[AidEE]

HHTrump76, lift your shoulders and flatten your back. you look pretty solid but ur back is REALLY roached. you would look more elegant with a flattened back. ok sry that sounds rude...u do have a really solid leg :-)

[xwaitandsee_eventing]

HHTrump76, just from the pictures I can tell that you're a strong effective rider who doesn't skimp on the details. If all the people I taught had a leg as solid as yours, I'd never have to teach again!

1st pic: Your release is excellent, giving your horse plenty of opportunity to stretch over this oxer. Your elbow is nice and supple; ready to bring your hand back on the landing. In this picture, I think the reason you're roaching your back is your stirrup is about a hole and a half too long. You're trying to do two things; drive your heel down and keep your leg in position, and still follow your horse, which is why you're roaching your back. Put your stirrup up a hole or so, and you'll find you won't have to roll your shoulders and roach your back ( I call this the "Gollum" look) to follow your horse. Roaching your back is actually a display of experience in this case, many novices would sacrifice their solid leg position to flatten their back, by letting their legs slip back and 'lie' on the horse's neck. When you jump, focus on flattening your back by not letting your chest and lower back collapse. The horse is a very attractive horse, although a little loose with his left fore leg, but he's in no danger of hooking himself over a fence; his forearms are above the vertical.

2nd pic: In this picture, your stirrups appear a fraction shorter, and the picture is a prettier one. The roach in your back isn't as bad, but again don't let your chest collapse. Your leg is very solid and effective, I cannot praise that enough! Your release is very good too.

If you have any questions, message me :)

[HHTrump76]

Thank you all for the critique and the compliments as well. They are much appreciated and much taken to heart.

To comment on the stirrup length...(or to explain why my stirrups are so funky?) I have a lot of difficulty adjusting my stirrups because one of my legs is about 1/2 inch longer than the other (I was in a riding accident which somehow caused my spine to adjust in such a way that I know have one longer leg...) So when my stirrups are even, they're uncomfortable for my one leg....and when they're uneven, the one looks longer than it should be, I suppose.

In the second picture, part of the reason my back is roached a bit and my release is not "awesome" is because of my hunt coat *sheepish smile* My hunt coat no longer fits me and because I show in jumpers and only added that medals class the morning of, I had no idea my coat didn't fit me. And I put it on about 5 minutes before I was due in the ring and it was SOOOOO tight across my back and shoulders and about 2 inches too short on my arms. *whoops*.

I wish I could upload the video of me doing the jumper classic at the end of summer...way after those two pictures were snapped. I like to believe that I am still constantly learning and improving my riding skills and every time I watch video of myself ride, I watch previous videos and laugh at how bad I was in comparison to now. I found a video of my first horse show and I could noooottt stop laughing.

Thank you much for the critiques and compliments again.

[HunterDreams]

To comment on the stirrup length...(or to explain why my stirrups are so funky?) I have a lot of difficulty adjusting my stirrups because one of my legs is about 1/2 inch longer than the other (I was in a riding accident which somehow caused my spine to adjust in such a way that I know have one longer leg...) So when my stirrups are even, they're uncomfortable for my one leg....and when they're uneven, the one looks longer than it should be, I suppose.

wow, I'm sorry! I shouldn't of said anything, hehe. :o

[HunterDreams]

Can anyone critique mine, please?? :confused:

[Ponyluver127]

This is me and my Trixie go ahead be as harsh as you want. But just to let you know sh eis still very very green and only 5 years old

I'll post more in a few lol i have to help unload the car

http://tinypic.com/b6yfj6.jpg

[xwaitandsee_eventing]

Sure HunterDreams.

Judging by the Kimberwick in your pony's mouth, he/she looks very strong in the front end ( lookit those shoulders!) He's a pretty decent jumper, though doesn't seem to be putting much effort into jumping the little vertical.

You need to shorten your stirrups a good hole, and practice keeping your leg strong and steady at the girth when you jump. Your leg is "very well educated", but it needs to be closer to the girth. I know its hard to do it on a pony ( little buggers don't have enough body!), but its worth practicing so when you're on a bigger horse you're prepared for anything. Your back is flat, but I get a sense that you're over-jumping, meaning that although you've correctly allowed the thrust of the horse jumping push you out of the saddle, you're moving your shoulders forward a bit; letting your chest collapse a bit. I suggest squaring your shoulders up, and a shorter stirrup will help you stop jumping ahead of your pony.

Your release is very good, but to make the picture a bit less scattered-brain-looking, I suggest getting shorter reins, as the reins are too long, even though you're holding them at a length that you can have good contact with his mouth. I'm very pleased with your release you're giving your horse the opportunity to stretch over the fence.

To sum it up, crank your stirrups up a hole, and try to keep your leg closer to the girth. All and all, you look like an effective sympathetic rider ( giving that nice release on a Kimberwick, those things just plain bug the horse if you catch them in the mouth).

BTW, your pony is a real cutie!

[HunterDreams]

Sure HunterDreams.

Judging by the Kimberwick in your pony's mouth, he/she looks very strong in the front end ( lookit those shoulders!) He's a pretty decent jumper, though doesn't seem to be putting much effort into jumping the little vertical.

You need to shorten your stirrups a good hole, and practice keeping your leg strong and steady at the girth when you jump. Your leg is "very well educated", but it needs to be closer to the girth. I know its hard to do it on a pony ( little buggers don't have enough body!), but its worth practicing so when you're on a bigger horse you're prepared for anything. Your back is flat, but I get a sense that you're over-jumping, meaning that although you've correctly allowed the thrust of the horse jumping push you out of the saddle, you're moving your shoulders forward a bit; letting your chest collapse a bit. I suggest squaring your shoulders up, and a shorter stirrup will help you stop jumping ahead of your pony.

Your release is very good, but to make the picture a bit less scattered-brain-looking, I suggest getting shorter reins, as the reins are too long, even though you're holding them at a length that you can have good contact with his mouth. I'm very pleased with your release you're giving your horse the opportunity to stretch over the fence.

To sum it up, crank your stirrups up a hole, and try to keep your leg closer to the girth. All and all, you look like an effective sympathetic rider ( giving that nice release on a Kimberwick, those things just plain bug the horse if you catch them in the mouth).

BTW, your pony is a real cutie!

Thanks! :D Just a comment, we've switched him to an eggbut snaffle and he's 99.9% better. Much easier to ride! Thanks sooo much, it's hard when I'm getting big for him because my legs move around a lot more. I've also gotten shorter reins, with the new bridle. I appreciate the critque :cool: .

[_KELSEY_]

OK I'm going to give this a go.. I need a picture.

Sales horse I rode in a horseshow last weekend, only jumping 3'3 but still a cute picture. Go for it.

[HHTrump76]

I can't tell if it's you or the angle of the picture, but it looks like you're in front of the saddle.

Your leg is fairly good, but it's not perfect. It needs to be right at or just a tidge behind the girth. Perhaps that's why you're a bit in front of the saddle. I think you just need to work on strengthening your leg position which in turn will bring you back over the top of the saddle.

[acornrox]

OK I'm going to give this a go.. I need a picture.

Sales horse I rode in a horseshow last weekend, only jumping 3'3 but still a cute picture. Go for it.
That is such a good pix! I would critique everyone else, but my comp doesnt let me see the pix, so sry! :eek:

[jumper_268]

How does critiqing have anything to do with clinics?? wouldnt this like fit into maybe...training?

[HHTrump76]

I suppose because you go to a clinic to be critiqued by a professional? I know I didn't pay for Kevin Babbington to tell me how pretty my face is. :)

[jumper_268]

well i thought u go to a clinic to learn??? humm w.e

[HampshireWoods]

humm picture...here we go. excuse my horse's gross lack of effort :rolleyes:

[HeadsOrTails320]

im critiquing the 1st pic of u jumping,
its a hard pic to judge because ur pony is jumping so "up" it looks like u might have had a short distance.
but u look like u have a solid leg and a secure heel , even though ur lower leg slid back behind the girth but i think it is because of the ponies jump.
also in this pic us should have stepped a little more in ur out side stirrup to balance ur pony a little bit better. but besides that i think u look pretty good ur release was a kindof screwed up from ur ponies jump :D
- Chelsea aka headsortails320

[HeadsOrTails320]

everything looks AWSOME the only thing i would change is that i would lengthen he stirrups a hole so u wont be lifted so far out of the saddle and ur leg will be closer to the girth
-chelsea :)

[hillcresttraining1]

The picture is taken too early, with your horse just on takeoff at the jump. You have a good starting leg position, which may swing back a little over the top of the jump. I would suggest bringing your hands closer together for support, and pressing your knuckles into the neck, which may help your horse drop his head and jump rounder (if you are going for a "hunter style jump"). I love your expression, you look like you are having a great time!

[theprancingpony]

HampshireWoods, I like your picture! I wish my leg over jumps was as solid as everyone elses here...

One thing though. I think you might be releasing too much. I used to do that too, but then I took a lesson at a barn and the lady told me it was too big, and just to lean forward and move my hands up about 6 inches. I used to reach for the ears! Maybe it's just my dream of showjumping showing through...

But again, I don't know. I'm not a trainer or anything, that's just what I heard from my trainer.

[HunterDreams]

Thanks :) . I don't ride him anymore, he's too small. But thanks for the critique.