I’ve been having some trouble jumping lately.

I just don’t feel “over” my leg…. or WITH my horse.

This has resulted in some rather non-Bill Steinkraus moments over fences.

At first I thought it was just rustiness……….

I’d been jumping baby stuff for months and those 1* fences look bigger than they used to!

But it didn’t seem to be going away.

I couldn’t get my leg where I wanted it.

I felt loose in the tack………..

And I started questioning my skills, saddles, fitness…………….

Last week in my quest to get back to the not-quite-Bad-Eventer form I had 2 years ago I started comparing photos……….

And I finally remembered a time when I was having the same problem…………

I was on a XC school with a top notch instructor. He kept telling me to

He had an amazing way of turning the word sit into a 2 syllable order.

Seeeeeeeeeeeee iT !!!!!!!!!!!!

But in true Bad Eventer style,

I finally asked him what my problem was……. and if maybe I should lengthen my stirrups.

He looked at my stirrups……..

and said, “Yeah, most people I have to tell them to shorten their stirrups but yours……..are definitely too short. Do you think you’re a jockey?”

So I lengthened my stirrups 2 inches and all of a sudden I found my balance, found my leg, and found my hand & seat over fences.

Problem solved.

That was a few years ago…………..

As I looked at my recent photos, it dawned on me that I’d let my stirrup length creep back up………

I promptly dropped them a few holes………

and like MAGIC……….

I had my leg back underneath me, and my not-as-bad hands immediately returned.

Completely ridiculous what a difference 2″ makes.

Bad Eventer………..may be the only rider on earth who consistently puts her stirrups too short.  

YEP…………STILL FEELING DUMB……………