Bouncing balls

[fimacg]

I have just come from a jumping lesson with Brave and I have so much to work on... For us it is more about landing than taking off or clearing the jumps, although we are only working at a 2'3" - 2'6" height.

On landing Brave's nose goes out and heads the to the floor and we both land in a bit of a heap. Very on the forehand, I had been worried about socking him in the mouth as we jumped and I didn't know how to solve this problem, but now I have been told I have to hold him together a bit more and he has to learn to pick himself up quicker, so lots of grid work for us.

On the positive side:
1) we didn't knock a single fence
2) I have been hearing/reading a lot about the bouncing ball analogy for the jumping canter and today we GOT IT, only once and only for about 10 strides but he was bouncing, and I could really feel it.

So all in all money well spent! next lesson in 3 weeks...

[fleabitten]

thats great! perhaps bounce jumps would help the landing bit or a pole after the jump.

i remember when i got kieran i was able to control his canter really well and hold him together coming into the jump and you could feel it being more bouncy than going round the edge. but then i suppose i didnt ride him strongly enough and he got used to the easy life lol and trailed round the place.

i think its great getting regular lessons to help you along - i think i should have continued with lessons for longer. it really reassures you and refocuses you.