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How To Keep Your Heels Down Over The Jump

Submitted by member: DLaPointe

How do I keep my heels down over the jump? Sometimes I stand on my toes just before the jump.

Answer by Julie Winkel

Keeping your heels down over the jump is very important, not only for your balance in the air, but for your horse’s balance as well!

It is a habit, good or bad, that develops with muscle memory and practice.

The best exercises are to begin with a pole on the ground, trotting over it. Build up to cantering the pole, then gradually work with low jumps to start.

As you reach the take-off point, relax your knee (even open it away from the saddle), relax your ankle joint to allow the weight to stretch all the way down in the heel, and get your eyes up!

At the take-off every time, tell yourself “heels down, eyes up!” The part about your eyes is key in keeping the balance correct. Shift your eyes up and over the fence as you approach and maintain a high level focal point in the air and on landing and departure.

If your leg swings back, you are either pinching with your knees, stopping the weight from dropping all the way down to your heel, or ahead of the motion at take-off (usually caused by looking down).

Additionally, as the horse leaves the ground, the rider’s leg should be supportive, not active. If the leg is squeezing at take-off, the rider is interfering with the horse’s focus and it is difficult to stretch down in the heels.

Perfect practice makes perfect. Repetition is key at low jumps until it becomes a habit.

Your mantra at take should be “HEELS DOWN-EYES UP!”

More Learning

Building Blocks to a Great Position Parts 1-5

Deep Heels vs Shock Absorbing Heels by Bernie Traurig

How To Keep Weight in Your Stirrups and Contact With Your Horse’s Side by Bernie Traurig

Heels Down by Cori Christmann

Stop Your Leg From Swinging on Your Horse by Bernie Traurig

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Julie Winkel

Julie Winkel has been a licensed Hunter, Equitation, Hunter Breeding and Jumper judge since 1984. She has officiated at prestigious events such as Devon, Harrisburg, Washington International, Capital Challenge, The Hampton Classic and Upperville Horse Shows. She has designed the courses and judged the ASPCA Maclay Finals, The USEF Medal Finals and The New England Equitation Finals.

For more information, visit her website: www.mwstables.com

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This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Hi just discovered and bought a few videos from this site as a novice jumper on a green jumper (yeah great combo I know!) I FINALLY have found some classic old school teaching and methods that haven’t been distorted over the years. My instructor is great and very much applies the same methods, but it is good for me to come away and study as my brain is a bit slow at times and find it harder to take in when in the moment! He has commented on my improved position since my home study. Bernie you are fab and Julie Winkel THANK YOU sooo much for your Q&A response on ‘how to keep your heels down over the jump’ explained so simply. Drilling the mantra in my brain as we speak and will be doing lots of practice over poles as suggested. Lyndsey UK

    Reply

    1. It means so much to us to hear this kind of feedback. Thank you so much. I will be sure to pass it on to Bernie and Julie.:)

      Reply

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