Question: I have a ongoing problem of getting ahead of my horse just prior to him jumping. I know I'm doing it, but it's usually difficult to detect if you're watching. It was especially apparent yesterday when the horse took one additional stride, I would have been all over his neck if he'd stopped and I'm sure I looked quite comical. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the height of the jump (1 1/2ft - 3 ft). Again, it's very subtle, but I'm very concerned. If I don't have the option of moving jumps and/or working the gymnastics outlined in your book, what other things could I try so I don't get ahead of the horse just prior to the jump? Should I just stay back or in my 2-point until until he's left the ground?

Answer: You should get into two-point position during your initial circle and stay there throughout the entire course. Concentrate on pressing the horse forward with your legs, rather than using your upper-body as a motivator. This way, you can stay still in your upper-body, making the performance look effortless, while using your legs to do all the work.

Be sure not to actively close your upper-body at take-off, but instead, let the horse's jumping effort--that is, the arch of its back in the air, or "bascule"--close your hip angle for you. Also, if you're riding a tense horse, don't let the horse's anxiety cause you to close your upper-body ahead of the motion, for this will actually make the horse more nervous and quick. Just stay where you are around the rest of the course, letting the horse's jumping effort close your hip angle ever so slightly in the air.