PONY Ace It: Jumping Position

Jumping’s one of the best activities, and if you and your fave pony love flying high, you’ll want to know how to achieve the perfect jump position to help maximise your performance. Here’s how to ace it.

Top tip

Get a friend or adult to take side-on videos or pics of you jumping so you can look back and work out what needs improving. 

What?

Jumping position is the one you move your body into as your pony flies over a fence! To have an amazing jumping position, you have to be in good balance, secure in the saddle and have perfect timing!

Why?

The purpose of the jumping position is to make the action of jumping easier and more comfortable for your pony, as well as helping you stay secure in the saddle by going with his movements, which means he’ll be better able to lift his legs and clear the fence. 

Top tip

If you feel a little nervous when it comes to jumping, pop a neck strap on your pony and have as many lessons as you can. 

How?

Here’s what you need to do to achieve the perfect jumping position…

• lift yourself out of the saddle
• keep your weight down into your heels
• push your hips towards the back of the saddle
• keep your back straight and lean forward slightly
• look up where you’re going
• allow with your hands but keep a good rein contact

To do this, you’ll require lots of strength, particularly in your core and legs, so think about how you can boost your muscles – in and out of the saddle – to help support your body through the movement and make it easier for yourself.

It’s likely you’ll need to shorten the stirrups one or two holes from your normal flatwork length to be able to lift yourself out of the saddle properly. 

The timing of your position is really important, too. Pick it up too early and you might become unbalanced and unbalance your pony, too. To help with this, try counting down the last few strides to the fence and be ready to pick up your jump position as your pony starts to take off. 

When working on your jumping position, it’s also a good idea to practise it over inviting fences that your pony is unlikely to spook at. You also might find it easier when the fences are slightly bigger because that will encourage your pony to bascule more, which means you’ll have more time to establish a good position. 

Aced it!

With plenty of practice and spending time paying attention to the finer details of your jumping position, there’s no doubt you’ll soon be on your way to acing it!