Jennifer --
You have here one of the most challenging reference sources I've seen, particularly with respect to the extreme foreshortening in both legs and one of the arms and hands. There's precious little information in or about the face. Eyes "closed" for all intents and purposes. Almost no visible hair. You've been presented with a very difficult project, and if you can pull it off convincingly, you'll be eligible for both talent and courage medals. How much better would be this same "pose" in profile. I realize that there's nothing you can do about that -- other than turning down the commission. It's not for me to tell you whether or not to do that.
Since the girl is apparently doing a floor exercise routine, you're right, the pommel horse in the background doesn't really "belong", save for the thematic suggestion of a gymnastics venue, but that's going to have to be apparent from the girl's appearance in the first instance or not at all. It seems to me that this is one of those depictions that cries out for a more abstract background. Any recognizable objects would have to be very skillfully pushed far back into the background, at risk otherwise of interfering with the representation of foreshortening in the limbs.
Whew. Good Luck!
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