What position elements are most important in Equitation Over Fences?

The position elements evaluated in Equitation Over Fences are the same fundamentals judged on the flat — leg security, upper body angle, hand position, and overall balance — applied in the more demanding context of jumping. The leg is the foundation and must remain secure and in the correct position throughout the entire course, including in the air over each fence. A leg that swings back over the fence, slides forward on landing, or grips at the knee rather than hanging long and close reflects a position that is not secure enough to function correctly under the physical demands of jumping. The upper body angle over the fence should follow the horse's motion — closing forward from the hip as the horse takes off and returning to an upright position as the horse lands — without tipping ahead of the motion or being left behind it. A rider who gets ahead of the horse in the air is anticipating the jump rather than following it. A rider who is left behind the motion will catch the horse in the mouth and create a visible, penalized position fault. The hand must follow the horse's mouth through the arc of the jump with a correct release that allows the horse to use its neck freely. The release should be forward up the neck in proportion to the size of the fence — a small fence requires a smaller release, a larger fence requires a more generous one. Throughout the course, the rider's eye should be forward and focused on the next fence, and the overall picture should be one of quiet, effective control.