My eq is getting worse (picture)?

Question

Ok so I used to have super good eq, not to brag or anything. But I was very competitive and did very well in the big eq classes.
Now I do mostly jumpers as well as eq with my new horse, but he is sooo hard to equitate on its ridiculous. So pretty much my eq has gone downhill since I bought him. Also, eq doesn't really matter in jumpers so thats another reason. Is there any way I can get it back?

here is an embarrassing pic http://www.flickr.com/photos/56693280@N07/5405819299/in/photostream

Answer 1

You've got jumper now. While he doesn't have the best shoulder movement, his topline is much stronger over the jump than the horse in your profile picture. I'm assuming you've been riding eq horses up until now. Generally, eq horses change very little under the saddle from the flat to the jump, and are therefore much easier to ride over the fence. When you've got a topline that comes up with the shoulder such as this guy, you've got to learn to ride it. At the same time, keep in mind that he's not an eq horse, and you're not going to get the same feel.

That being said, that jump is way too big for your stirrups to be that long. I would take my stirrups up a a hole or two, which will allow you to get your haunches out of the saddle without stretching and laying so high up on his neck. Then, and especially on this horse, you'll have to think about collecting a more balanced release by aiming to get your belly button closer to the pommel, instead of out in front of it. I would do all of this at a much smaller jump. Setting up a gymnastic with a few different widths (put in a wide oxer, at least) might be helpful to give you different times in the air, and push your release.

Answer 2

Try taking one lesson/ride a week to either 1: work on the lunge line or 2: ride a different horse. If I were you, I'd opt for the lunge-line. This way, you can still spend time with your horse and adapt to his body, not a different horses and get a chance to improve oyur eq. with him. However, if this isn't an option, the second option might be good, too.

Also, throughout the course of your rides, don't always focus on jumping. Although jumping may be your sport now and what you'd like to focus on for showing and such, it's just as important to take time with flat lessons or with small jumps to better improve your position and riding in general. Some of the best riders I know aren't jumping the 4ft. they do in shows, they're juping corss-rails as practise. This way, they can focus allot more on position and skills instead of just height.

Answer 3

You just need to ride another horse. You said you take 2-3 lessons a week you need to take at least on of them on another horse. When riding one horse all the time we tend to pick up flaws and bad habits based on the horse so you need to make sure you ride another horse. When on another horse you will feel off and it will be easy to pinpoint whats wrong and work to correct it. Good Luck

Answer 4

Oh wow.. well the best thing would be to get a trainer and try weekly lessons on a better trained horse, that way you can work more on your position. With time it will get better.

Answer 5

Oh dear God.



Were you falling asleep on his neck?



Get it back by practicing more. Looks like its back to stirrupless riding for you!