Common Jumping Faults and there results

( text taken from Pony Club Manual No 2 )

Head - looking down or back - Upsets balance and weakens position, as well as breaking concentration on the track ahead.

Body - Too far forward - in front of the horse's movement. Weakens drive on approach and may cause rider to continue alone if horse stops ! Affects the balance of both horse and rider on take-off, and often leads to "collapsing" of body on landing, especially over drop fences. Too far Back - behind the movement of "left behind". Very uncomfortable for horse and rider - difficult or impossible to follow with hands.

Shoulders hunched - back rounded - Not an effective jumping position. Causes stiffness and makes you tire quickly when riding across country,  owing to the difficulty of getting a good breath of air into your lungs.

Back hollow - makes for stiffness.

Hands and arms - Reins "bridges" - Encourages the rider to lean on the horse's neck, instead of developing an independent seat and hands, and often prevents the hands from following correctly towards the horse's mouth.

Reins too long - result in lack of control - Bringing the elbows back behind your body in an effort to maintain contact puts you in a weak position.

Reins to short - Loses the bend in the elbow and pulls you forward. Makes the hands heavy and prevents them following sufficiently over the fence.

Hands shooting up the mane - towards the horse's ears - Often goes with bridged reins and the body too far forward, "lying" along the horse's neck. Upsets balance and contact.

Hands Fixed - resting on neck - Horse cannot use his head and neck freely.

Hands to high or un steady - either on approach or take-off - Distracts the horse, and makes him raise his head and neck just when he should be lowering them for take-off. Makes him jump with a flat or hollow back.

Thigh and Knee - Tight grip - Makes for stiffness and " gripping up " brings lower leg away from the horse's side makes correct application of leg aids difficult.

Lack of contact - knees turned out - Insecure .

That's it for now, I will add more later when I get the chance. Do you know of a jumping fault that should be mentioned ? Than please e-mail me with them and I'll add them to this page !

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