FIRST JUMPS!!!Needs advice

[Ruby Rider]

Ok yesterday i had my first jumps on my horse about 1 foot high.. the jumpers there were saying my horse was doing perfectly. But i knew i was doing something wrong ... ok my horse just flew over the jumpsa and cleared them by at least a foot or two. and sometime she didn't do it right so she knoked down the pole. ok but here is what i was doing
that i know is wrong
riding western
no jumping lessons
either leaned too far forward or was in wrong position
looked at the jump and not ahead
slowed my momentum at the jump so my horse walked and stepped over
(oh but she stopped right at the jump then at a standing jumped over it!)

things i think i was doing right
staying in the saddle
giving my horse her head
aimiung at the center of the jump

i don't know what i should so
i have and english saddl and pad that i need to fit to my horse
and i ride with a headstall with browband and full cheek snaffle bit
i want to get loop reins adn i am saving my money for a nice jumping saddle and pad and bridle

do you guys know if i need anything elce?... i ride with a crop too
my long reins don't work to well

[crazy4horses]

I would suggest try to ride in a english saddle if you can. Thats good that you give him/her thier head. :D

[Ruby Rider]

ok Ya i can ride in an english saddle i just need to fit my english saddle to my horse.

[Ruby Rider]

what kind of trainingand stuff would i need for my horse to be a good jumper?
like would i need leg wraps.... or anything.... i know about western but i am not to hot about knowing about english stuff
so please i need all the help i can get
even if it is the tinyest thing like get horse shoes ( i have them tho ;) )

[ForeverEquine]

Well, before you start really jumping her, I would suggest doing work over ground rails first. Do all three gaits and transitions. You can do this while lunging or riding. Then as she gets accustomed to the rails, you can raise them slightly and do the same. This will help her from refusing the jumps because she will have no fear of them.

As for equipment and what not, I'm not sure. I've never really done any specific discipline.

[HorseDayz11]

I'd do what Forever Equine suggested. I can say that I don't jump professionally, but I do jump freely. I jump western and english and my horse reacts the same, but it is a harder change for the rider.

With a western saddle, you have a deeper seat as you ready to jump and you feel as if you can control your horse better. Your legs don't move nearly as much as they would in an english saddle either. Make sure you collect your horse's canter and prepare for the jump. Slightly release pressure on the last stride and position yourself. Make sure your horse doesn't rush. Push up on your feet and lean onto the neck. Push your hands up on her neck and give her her head. This should help. :]

[ashleygoesrawr]

the only equipment you need to jump is a proper english saddle and really the bridle is whatever works for your horse. the most important tip is to keep your heels down to make sure you don't pop loose over a fence.

i really really suggest taking lessons with a professional hunter/jumper trainer to ensure that you are doing everything correctly instead of having to guess what you were doing right or wrong. it will help you immensely.

[Ruby Rider]

thank you! Yes i worked on ground rails before. and than k you all and yes i plan of taking lessons at my local arena but this one preticular trainer ( who i shall not name) i don't want to take lessons from for 1 too pricey and 2ndly she doe NOT RESPECT HORSES!!! ( she had beaten a horse we now own with a whiffle ball bat to get her to stand!!!)
and the trainer that wanted to train my hors and me to jump is gone to a diferent stable because she got hurt ( training the horse that was beaten with a wiffle ball bat!!! after the other trainer!) so i plan to see who they have training for jumping and then decide who i should take lessons from. otherwise ya i am a loner.
thank you guys soooooo much i really apreshiate the opinions!!!

[cursivenight]

I suggest getting at least a lesson or two about jumping, especially if you want to go higher - with a good trainer. I wouldn't go with the wiffle bat one HAHA.

Also remember heels down as FAR as possible, and make sure your stirrups are shorter than normal western length in the english saddle. You want the stirrup bars to hit just above your ankle bone or area. You can have them longer if you can't balance enough.

Practice the jump or threepoint/two point position on the flat first, over poles and in all gaits. To do that sink as far down in your heels as you can go, hover over the saddle with your hands either slightly above or resting on your horses neck about halfway up depending. Bend your knees and think about pulling your shoulders down and back so you have a flat back. Don't get too far out of the saddle and keep your shoulders close to parallell to your knees. Make sure to keep your leg on, and grab mane if you think you'll fall back. Keep your eyes up at all times, and just go with your horse.

[Ruby Rider]

thanx again that explains it better what i need to do. UMM sorry if i sound stupid what is a 3 point and a 2 point seat? i Have been riding for a while and heard this said but never got really around to understand that.
And yes i plan or taking lessons but every good hrse trainer left the arena

[cursivenight]

"Three point" is the position you should have OVER the jump, and it's good to practice it on the flat. It means having three "points" in contact with your horse. Both your heels/legs, and then your hands, resting on the neck.

Two point is the same thing, just with your hands not resting on the neck. You use this position to steer when you go around a hunter or eq course when you want to stay in a jumping position.

I'd stick to three point first as it helps you balance, but make sure you don't rest on your hands. CONSTANTLY remind yourself to sink into your heels as LOW as possible, adn then LIGHTLY rest your hands on the neck, or just grab a little chunk of mane.

[Ruby Rider]

Ok Now i understand what i was doing wronge when i was heading twords the jump a few times today. I was doign a 2 point seat when i was ready to go over the jump not a 3 point seat. Now i know what to do better. thankx soo much again