How did you get into BSJA?

[Bangers & Mash]

The question is in the title...!

How did you get started in BSJA?

I have been wanting to go BSJA for ages but I have never done it before. I have jumped the courses and riden regestered horses before (non competitevly). But I am just totaly in the dark about it all.

All I want to know is about the diffrent classes and how good you and your horse need to be to compete.

I am 19 and have been doing local shows for many years. My mare is 5 and has little experience of jumping competitevly. So would going BSJA with her so soon be jumping in at the deep end literally (LOL) or does the assosiation catter for inexperienced horses and riders like me?

My imppression of BSJA so far is big warmbloods and posh wagons and I don't really fit into this category.

P.S. I not 100% about what I am doing on the web site, I have tried!!

[RobaDob]

I have literally, this second, joined the BSJA (mum got an email from the bank saying £££ had gone from bank from BSJA).

I have recently turned 15, in my last year of juniors, own a .. ahem .. scruffy little pony that you wouldnt expect to jump big courses which we do.
Shes a welsh x cob x tb, 12 year old that up until 2 years ago, hadnt seen a fence in her life.
We own a little 'lorry' if thats what you call it ;) Its a 3 horse, Ford Cargo and is probably 25+ years old!!!

My mum has competed all her life, so got into it through her really. Have jumped 'on the ticket' about 7 times and done pretty well, so decided to affiliate Honey.

Depending on how old you are and how big your horse is, there should be courses for you and your horse.
If your a senior - the smallest class is the British Novice (2ft9)

Have you competed locally? At unaffiliated shows?

Hope this helps..

[Bangers & Mash]

Have you competed locally? At unaffiliated shows?

Hope this helps..

No I haven't but I have hired courses out at various venues tho. At this time of year I can't find any local shows to compete at.

Thanks yes it does help!

[wickesy1]

You can always jump on a ticket before you register. And it may be worth going to some unaff competitions just to see how things go.

[DavidH]

BSJA courses now start at 70cm opens but most start at 80cm.
The main difference you will find BSJA is that the course will be up to height. So if you are jumping an 80cm course pretty much all the fences will be 80cm. The spreads will be wider than un-aff, 80cm spreads will normally be 80-90cm wide compared to your average un-aff at 60-70cm wide. The course will be a little more technical with more related distances and little traps like oxer - 4 strides - planks.
You dont have to be a super star to do BSJA or have a flashy warmblood. If you can get round a 90cm unaff clear then you should be ok at 80cm BSJA.
The fences normally go up 10cm for the jumpoff so just be aware that if you go clear in a 90cm class the jump-off will be 1mtr.

Where abouts do you live, I might be able to suggest some less serious venues for early BSJA

[YR_SHOWJUMPER]

some v good advice there david :) i think theameturclasses are fantastic, no i aff my youngsters straight off and we dont have to worry with unaff shows and all that they bring with them :o the bsja have quallified course designers who will build suitable tracks for the class i.e a 1.40 IT class is going to be mor technical than your av. BN :)

i got into bsha through my mum asshe jumped too. :)

[Bangers & Mash]

Where abouts do you live, I might be able to suggest some less serious venues for early BSJA

That would be really really helpful!

The one and only SOLIHUll!

[ILurfSmurf]

Through my YO's really - bullied me and nagged me 'til i agreed to do a trial run. :rolleyes:
Classes start at 70cm, although not many do this (at least down here, may be different near you) Personally i find the amateurs better than the British Novice. Amateurs seem to be more 'forgiving' courses, a good stepping stone. Spreads will be wider as DavidH said than the unaffiliated classes, and combinations etc will be more complex than those at an unaff. class, however especially up to about 90cm amateurs, not everyone is on posh big warmbloods. I take murph jumping, and so does my boss, and he's actually gone out with a hunter clip, left side legs clipped out but right not :rolleyes: (clippers went blunt) nowhere i've been to yet looks down on us because i didnt spend a years wages on him (well my parents wages :o) As for 5 being too young, how long has she been jumping for? Murph is only 6 and has only been jumping a year (didnt know how to until last november). In fact this time last year he was in the 1ft classes, this time round he's doing the 1m, with YO i hasten to add! (90cm is enough for me atm thanks!)

I'd say.... GO FOR IT!

All forms you need are on
http://www.bsja.co.uk

[jumpjaky]

there are spme realy fancy people with 18 horses with 12 horse wagons that have 5 grooms in matching colours. and then theres people like me!:D in my just togs jacket and single ifor williams with a kia.
i think you print a form off, and send it.... im not too sure my mum did mine!:D

[jumpjaky]

i went on a ticket before i jioned, its ALOT! of money, tell us how you get on