Q. I have been riding since I was 7, and I’m going to be 14 very soon. I just started jumping, and I had a bad jumping lesson on the 4th of July. I fell, and it hurt a lot. I hurt a previous injury to my tailbone, and I was wondering if there were any strengthening exercises for my back. I also need tips on how not to fall. I have fallen countless times, and I want it to stop. I am also having trouble keeping my elbows bent, and when this happens, I get all hunched up, and it doesn’t look good. Are there any exercises I can do to help my position? Please give me suggestions; I need them. I want to start showing next year, but I don’t think it will ever happen.
A. Sounds like you’re going through a fairly typical introduction to jumping. It’s very common for riders to get nervous when they start work over fences. That nervousness translates to physical stiffness which causes an inability to follow the horse’s movements over a fence. When you can not stay with the horse’s movements, you are susceptible to being jarred out of the saddle. Holding a bit of mane as your horse jumps may help a bit, in case you’re not already doing so, but I suspect your problems go deeper than just a little initial jumping tension.
Were you subject to falling off even before you started jumping? If so, then clearly you need more basic work in balance and stabilizing your position in the saddle. You might want to ask your instructor about riding without reins or stirrups on the lunge line until you are comfortable and steady at all gaits. When you can reliably maintain your balance at all gaits and through all transitions without relying on your hands or stirrups to do so, then and only then will you be ready to progress safely to work over fences.
The straightening of your elbows is yet another manifestation of your stiffness and inability to properly maintain your seat in the saddle. It sounds like your horse is pulling you forward, rather than you driving your horse forward with your legs into your softened hands. Again, this is an issue of relearning the basics and establishing a strong seat/legs/hands relationship before transferring such problems to work over fences. This is something else for you to discuss with your instructor.
Even the most accomplished riders fall off now and then. Things just happen. But if you’re falling frequently, there are problems with your basic riding technique. While you and your instructor work on strengthening your position in the saddle, ask also to be taught how to fall off safely. Most falls can be mediated by learning how to get both legs together on the same side of the horse before touching the ground. This should be practiced, as in a flying dismount. The worst falls are those in which the rider hits the head or hip first. You’re not going to suffer damage to much more than your pride if you learn to land on your feet.
I certainly wouldn’t give up hope of showing up next year. With lots of work, you should be able to show in flat classes – perhaps even over fences if you learn to relax and ride into the horse rather than just on top of him.