Please be gentle

[shandy84]

I have entered Bags and I into a jumping class, I however am terrified of jumping after a very nasty fall some years ago.

I find I get very tense and nervous

Titch took these photos for me a little while ago (have had one more go since then with a similar result from me, but Bags took off better due to placing poles)

Please advise me of anything I need to improve in order to get us round in one piece.
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc195/bramblesmum/Bramble/dawnjump1.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc195/bramblesmum/Bramble/dawnjump2.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc195/bramblesmum/Bramble/dawnjump3.jpg

[clydesdalelover]

Keep practising! i'd skip the show and make a routine. Sometimes the best thing for nerves is just to do it and get your horse to enjoy it. Why not se aside one day a week to jump in the school and a couple of times during the week pop into the school before your hack and jump a little jump a couple of times?

once you are comfortable with your horse and dont bat an eyelid at juping 2 foot on him anymore then your ready to move on!!

remeber theres no rush and if you never feel comfortable then you dont have to do it!

[shandy84]

Also would you boot up for jumping or leave them without?

The idea of the show is if left to me, I don't jump, it's only by having the end goal of the show for example that I can kick my butt into gear.

[molly34]

I'd do 3 things...

practice, practice, then practice a bit more
have a lesson or 2
and (most important) remember its meant to be fun! :D

[shandy84]

I thought my hands look in the wrong position what do you think? Am hoping to get practicing, how often would you pop a jump?

[MeMe]

I could critique style so much, but you know what I wont because I've been there (and still am) that I know the best thing for restoring jumping confidence is to find how it suits you to feel safe and do it, and when you start enjoying it then you can sort out the style as long as you are comfortable and safe on board, and not hindering the horse.

You can do it Shandy, remember I took Zak to a 2'3 jumping class, and done x/c practice on him at about the same height, it just takes time.

I only jumped at home when I felt the urge to, and never without someone there.

[SpringySpring]

Personally I don't think your position is that bad (just try and lift your shoulders and reach forward with your hands) , but I'm sure it would be even better if you were enjoying yourself :)

Keep the jumps very small for the moment and try and make jumping fun. Play little games, try and change the canter lead your horse lands on, try one handed jumping or if your feeling very brave no hands. Also you may find cross poles are more tempting to jump than uprights.

Good luck:)

[shandy84]

I used to absolutly love it. Just want to get back to being that person.

Is there anything in my position that will hinder Bramble? As that is obviously my main concern as she puts up with her wibbly mum so well that I don't want to put her off by cracking her in the teeth etc

Do you think it will help bags to lunge her over jumps?

[tasha]

I think you just need to relax! You basic position is fine, you just look tense. As molly34 said, loads of practice and a lesson or two will help. But once you relax you'll do fine :)

[chickyd444]

i too have just started jumping again - have never jumped my boy untill recently- and ive owned him 4 years LOL, and i havent jumped properly since being a teen - (too many years ago to count), as im just getting back into it i cant really advise on position :o , what i can see from the photos it that you are looking at your ned/ jump rather than straight ahed, part from that i dont think ther's much wrong ;)
-
i am finding that the more i practise the easier i am finding it - getting the rythym right and the take off etc is all coming the more i practise , if you want2 do the show, then do it, but there's no point in going if you are going to be worrying about poition/ coming off etc ;)- i would spend abit more time building your confidence and getting your position etc Spot on so that when you go to that show you'll be ready for it ! cue *rocky training music* 'daa daaa, daaaaaa, daa daaa, duuuuuuu !

[tasha]

Oh and is that a peacock safety stirrup? If so, isn't the rubber band supposed to be on the outside :)?

[shandy84]

Nope the stirrup is a standard one. I will try and look ahead then (that's my main fault with dressage too):D

I think before this jump my last one had been ohhh about 8-9yrs ago :o try, try and try again then :D

[shandy84]

Just had anothe rlook you are right about the stirrups as titch had brought her own. Mine are just standard :o

[chickyd444]

ps loving your chestnut neddy :)

[Palomino Mare]

Smile!!!>>>:)

you can see your nerves from your face, but i can totally sympathise as i had a scare 2years ago and like chickyd havent jumped my horse since i bought him!! on the rare occasions that i do job though, once i get over the initial "OMG i'm actually going to do this!!!" on approach it goes far smoothly than i first thought and i enjoy myself immensely!

yes your position needs work but i think if you just relax and smile (forcing endorfins - is that right:confused:) you will see a bit improvement. my jumping position on horses comes naturally to me but when i get on my 14.1 and have a little pop i actually look like you do in that picture because i feel theres so little beneath me that i dont feel secure. i think with practise that would improve though as i was the same height/size as a teenager when i competed her.

do you feel like this too?

[allinyourrows]

Having only just got back into jumping after a horrrrible fall in october (i was SLAMED agained a congregated iron wall of an indoor school, despite body protector my right side was BLACK) it took me a while to get back into it properly, a few dodgy jumps on my part, and by the end, my position was better than it ever has been.
If you think about keeping your bum back and hands forward, the rest sort of falls into place, or at least it did for me.
Practice will get you where you want to be, if that makes sence.... you will get a feel for it.
Keep the jumps small, i.e. 1'6" max just to work on your position, but you don't look that bad. Good luck, you'll be jumping 3'6" in no time ;)

[laceyfreckle]

Relax and BREATHE;) keep the jumps smallish and imagine yourself going over perfectly each time, if you try to think of things TOO logically in what your meant to be doing you will be tense and find it harder.

as i used to be told...look where your going, smile and go:)

[shandy84]

LF can I jump the jump and let Bags go over seperate then i'd be happy to just go

[laceyfreckle]

LF can I jump the jump and let Bags go over seperate then i'd be happy to just go

lol afraid not;)

really don't worry about it, just imagine yourself doing a perfect round and you'll be fine. You could do the 6" clear round for confidence if you want to:p or if you like i could lead you round the lead rein jumping class:p:D

and don't worry about your riding as such, no-one will be scrutinising probably much more....ooh look at the shiny chestnut pony:D

[shandy84]

LOL hopefully, gotta make her glow then so she blinds everyone so they can't see my riding :D don't get me wrong am looking forward to it, just don't want to hurt her because of my nerves

[laceyfreckle]

LOL hopefully, gotta make her glow then so she blinds everyone so they can't see my riding :D don't get me wrong am looking forward to it, just don't want to hurt her because of my nerves

you won't hurt her due to your nerves, you could always stick a martingale/breastplate for a neck strap if you wanted to have the extra security if there being one there.

but if your tense you are more likely to fall off! a tense ball is easier to throw/fall off/get off balance then a relaxed jelly (not that i'm calling you either lol)

If it helps if people don't watch I could cause a diversion by going into labour when its your jump class.....my classes will be all done by then :-P

[shandy84]

Don't you dare!!!! I'm a trained flipping first aider so would be duty bound to hop off and help and tbh the jumping is less scary :eek:;):D

She's getting shod behind again tomorrow so will start practicing then, haven't been able to as she's so footy.

Would you boot her up to jump or leave her as she is?

[XmeganX]

your not bad at all you just need to practice i would say, carry your hands instead of leaning on her neck or being close to her neck,it,il just help her lift her front legs and shoulders easier, also sit up right until your going over the fence even if you have to exagerate it at first it becomes second nature again it,ll make it easier to lift her legs! your lower leg looks nice and secure to good job!! if you can imagine push your bum out rather than drop your shoulders it,ll make you more secure and make the jump easier for both of you!most of these things come with confidence and practice!!

a good idea might be to find some jumping vids on youtube of some riders styles you like and pick out a few things you like and try and work towards that...just a suggestion!!best of luck keep us updated!!:D:D

[shandy84]

Thanks Megan I will give that a try :)

[Denbenj]

Your doing fab for your confidence even entering a show!

I lost my confidence jumping over 10 years ago and apart from the odd small ( VERy small) pop on horses I have trusted to plod over them I havent ever jumped since.

I would focas on the little crtiques added on here, but dont dwell on them to much... Keep practising and look to the day as a feel good day..wether you only manage to jump one... or clear and win !!

Most importantly have fun..and imagine that all the NR's are at the side cheering you on !!! hehe :D :D

[XmeganX]

A jumping lesson might help too,i find them very helpful makes you work hard though;)

[laceyfreckle]

regarding boots you could put some on or leave them off, doesn't really matter:)

[wildponies]

I can tell from the pics you were nervous, tensed up into almost the foetal position!

Ok, sit more in the saddle.. you are standing up in your stirrups to brace yourself against the jump. Keep your bum closer to the saddle and just 'fold' when you go over the fence. Fold from your hips.

Your hands are fine for now, you aren't leaning on them for support and therefore not jabbing her mouth. So just sod the hand position for now as its not really an issue.

So keep your weight in your heels, sit in the saddle, look up and ahead and you'll be fine :)

[shandy84]

WP are you gonna be joining us at the show? If you are I expect you to shout that at me "butt down, look ahead and smile :p"

[wildponies]

WP are you gonna be joining us at the show? If you are I expect you to shout that at me "butt down, look ahead and smile :p"

I am definately going to do my best to be there :D Have u got the date of the show confirmed yet? As will need to book it off work :p

Ahhh you don't need to smile... smiling will just distract you from the task at hand! I've never seen a photograph of me smiling going over a fence :rolleyes::D

[shandy84]

Pheww one less thing to think about :D could you PM LF as I have a terrible memory for dates, but you're welcome to kip at mine for as long as you wish :) if you do come down ;)

[wildponies]

Have just PMed LF, and I will be coming don't you worry! This meet is only a couple of years overdue...!

[shandy84]

Just be careful if LF goes into labour you may be showing a lovely welsh pony :p

[wildponies]

just be careful if lf goes into labour you may be showing a lovely welsh pony :p

lol!

[casey]

I could critique style so much, but you know what I wont because I've been there (and still am) that I know the best thing for restoring jumping confidence is to find how it suits you to feel safe and do it, and when you start enjoying it then you can sort out the style as long as you are comfortable and safe on board, and not hindering the horse.

You can do it Shandy, remember I took Zak to a 2'3 jumping class, and done x/c practice on him at about the same height, it just takes time.

I only jumped at home when I felt the urge to, and never without someone there.

I love Meme. Just go for it Shandy, enjoy it and dont worry about critique. That will come when you get confidence back:)

[shandy84]

I did it :) well kinda decided to have a little jump tonight, Bags got very excited at the prospect of a jump :eek: did a huge jump and then we tried again and jumped the 2ft jump sensibly, and best of all I didn't die :p

[titch_]

if you want i can come and be your jump putter upper again :P and take some more pics!

Seriouly just relax! :D you'll be fine!!

[shandy84]

You're always welcome hunnie you know that, just let me know if you ever want to come over :D it's left me with a real buzz, I then took her saddle off and did some bareback walk and trot, thought if I can get my balance a bit better it will help with backing Kira and maybe make me feel more confident, ended up giggling :rolleyes:

[MeMe]

hehe thanks Casey;):D

Well done Shandy, its definately best to just go with the flow and do what and when you feel like it.

Dont worry about how it looks for now, as long as its safe :)