Exercises for the aspiring jumper?

[midnight_mayday]

Ok, here we go! Life story!

I've been riding for about 6-7 years, at least 5-6 of those years were spent with a professional instructor. While with that RI I did so many things, I lose track.
I started off riding western, just learning the basics. I was taught how to post (in a western saddle) and how to pick up the correct diagonal. I never really had a discipline in mind, though my instructor trained mostly pleasure horses, so I gravitated towards Western Pleasure and learning how to use my seat above all else. (I think I showed it once, a double bareback class because someone needed a partner that could stay on.)
Trail riding sparked my interest, then, so I went on many-a fun trail ride on many different horses. I would ride english off and on, never really taking much interest in it, having too much fun with my cowboy ego. ;) I rode(ride) bareback frequently, and my favorite way to do is is on Belgian Drafts.
I learned to drive Belgian Draft horses as well as minis, too. That's around the time I started training/helping with training.
My trainer let me and two others that rode (sometimes) with me pick a miniature horse to train to lead, be handled, and eventually drive. It was a great experience. All through that time I rode in countless parades, until I got sick of throwing candy at little kids. :rolleyes:
Around this point my trainer got a new barn, and also lots of training horses. I helped with all of them, taking on new "projects" (as she called them) as they came to the barn. They ranged from starting Ponies to abused Paints to young/hot Tennessee Walkers to bucky Apps. Loads of learning from that. (All this time I'm riding western, keep in mind.) During this time I was showing in gaming events (barrels, poles, ect) and thinking about competitive trail riding.
About a year ago my parents finally agreed to me getting a horse, so I purchased one of my could-be "projects", a 3-4yro, lanky Appendix who thinks he's full TB. About 7 months after I got him, my friend and I took our horses to UW River Falls in Wisconsin for a riding camp. In this we rode 2 hours of english, then 2 hours of western each day. It was awesome, and re-sparked my interest for english, more specifically jumping.

Now, I've shown english once, and know the basics, so I'm not novice at it, but I know nothing about jumping other than how to be in 2 point. I'm going to start jumping lessons soon (I think it's my horses true calling) and I want to be prepared. Does anymore have any exercises for me and/or my horse to prepare us? (I own an english saddle and pad, and just got a bridle for Christmas) I'm thinking maybe eventually I'll do cross-country or something of that sort.
Thanks in advance!
-Taylor

[BeachRiding]

You actually sound like you will get on with jumping fine, you sound quite experienced. Can you canter in two-point?

[Lot1983]

Do you have access for trotting poles?
Start off by teaching him what these are, that they aren't scary and that he can trot over them and they won't bite! You can progress onto canter poles.
Start off taking him over small cross poles, giving you both a centre point to aim for.
Now with jumping I find that there are 2 types, when you start jumping small jumps the puts his front legs up, and propells himself over the jump. You just need to lean forward when his legs go up and fold nicely (imagine that you are sat in a chair, you need to reach the box of sweets on the coffee table, but you cannot take your bum out of the chair as someone else will steal your seat...)
All these basics apply but when you start jumping bigger jumps you'll find that the horses back will 'push' you out of the saddle, it's a strange feeling to start off with!
You also have to teach your horse no matter how much he loves jumping that he must be in calm, collected, in control and not fly over them (something me and my horse are working on, I get excited, he gets excited, we fly over at a hundred miles an hour!!!)

Not a very consice guide to jumping, but a couple of things that I think might help!

[Cabbitt]

Remember why you're going to an instructor-- to learn properly and with feedback! I think it would be best to just wait and take your lesson and work on what you're instructor tells you, and learning jumping can be hard on your horse if not done correctly.

However, as someone mentioned, something like trotting or cantering poles on the ground would probably be the most help with the least risk. It will help you develop your eye, which is terribly important.

[piftisha]

Now that I'm learning to jump, I've found that (and I know this sounds kind of "duh" but it really helps...) if I count canter strides..."one two one two" I'm always ready for the jump.

I'm learning that horse riding is really all about physics...a horse can only physically jump on "one" or "two" so you're never shocked when it happens.

Also, grabbing a little mane on your first few helps you to be more connected and in balance with the horse.

Another thing I learned is that 98% of the time if you come out of a corner to a jump and keep your pace slow and steady, your distance will be correct because the courses are laid out that way on purpose. Its when you start speeding up or slowing down you get in trouble :D

You'll be fine - sounds like you just have to get used to the jumping motion and theory and you'll be great!