Can ride now....will I ever be able to jump?!?!

[Noblesteed]

Wonder if any of you have been here? Learnt to ride at 40, now sharing lovely 14.3 cob with daughter who can do everything. I feel as though I can ride now and school and hack out quite happily. I would love to be able to tackle small jumps on Noble, but feel very nervous about it. When I get nervous, I get very tense and my position goes to pot.
If any of you have any ideas to help me I would love to hear them. Thanks!

[anuvb]

Are you having lessons on him? I'm sort of assuming that you are, but your best bet would be to talk it over with your instructor about how you can introduce small jumps in your lessons - working up from poles to very small jumps etc.

If your position is going to pot, then you'll need to practice your jumping position on the flat. Build up the muscles and your confidence. Once you've done that, then it's really a case of just giving it a go within your comfort zone. If the jump is small enough go over it in walk, then work up to trot and then if you're feeling really brave try canter!

If you think about it, when you first started riding you probably got nervous and tensed up, but now it's become second nature it doesn't happen, so what you need to start doing is stretching that comfort zone a little bit at a time. If you're not happy doing it on Noble then think about having lessons on another horse. And if it's really bad then you can always have some lead you over them at first. Just think you'll help your instructor burn off those post Xmas calories if you make leap over them with you!

But really if you know the basics and WANT to jump it really is a case of practice makes perfect, and not overfacing yourself.

[Njal]

I think you just have to try it more. It took me a long time to gain any real control over jumps, especially multiple jumps. It also took a long while before what the instructor said managed to sink in.

At first its mostly a question of point and the horse will do the work. There's then a danger the horse gets bored doing the same jump/s and so cuts corners etc, and then you lose balance. And so you learn to keep balance and concentrate on steering after the jump.

and so on and last weekend I was doing 2'6 combinations and was pretty in control.

The trouble with jumping is it feels so good when you get it right but awful if you get it wrong.

Njal

[Yann]

You could also try popping small logs out on hacks if the opportunity arises, like you I've never really done any proper jumping but will have a go at a small log and must say I quite like it:)

[CityGirl]

I LOVE jumping:D :D Sorry - just had to say it! You definitely want to work with an instructor when you start jumping. S/he will be able to work with you on your position & coach you through the nervousness. If you really can't work with an instructor, then start by adding cavalletis (sp?) & then working on maintaining your position over those. From there, cross-rails & then from there - who knows??:)
Like you, I started riding again as an adult & am now a jumping-addict!

[Tinkerbell]

I was going to suggest something similar to Yann. The first time I ever 'jumped' it was over a wee thing on a hack. Less pressure than in the school. But it's whatever makes you comfortable.

[Alex]

I'm another one who started riding 'later in life' *cough* :D

I still have position problems jumping, but it does get easier with more practice. Start off with trotting poles on the ground and go over them til you feel comfortable. Then try the smallest cavaletti you can find (we have 30cm cavaletti here) - basically the horses trot over them too, without actually 'jumping'. Keep practicing these, and practice your jumping position over them, aswell as on the flat. It'll help develop your 'jumping muscles' aswell as give you confidence. Once you're happy going over the cavaletti, then try a very small crossbar.... etc etc etc....

Take your time - remember there's no hurry to jump! Just move on as you feel comfortable - riding's meant to be fun, not scary! :) Also, it's a good idea to have an instructor to guide you through all of this.

Good luck! Jumping is great fun, and I'm sure you'll love it!

Love,
Alex

[Noblesteed]

I'm much encouraged by your replies. You have helped me break it down into manageable chunks; position, poles, cavalettis, cross poles etc. I'll work at it slowly until I'm comfortable with each stage, before moving on.
I'm working over poles in my lessons now, so I guess I need to build in some jumping postion work too. I feel much happier and quite excited about it all now. Thanks guys.

[Tommy Matterson]

I have just returned from a jumping lesson - and haven't come down yet!

I started riding lessons in the spring of this year (I'm 36). I was not nervous about starting to learn how to jump but was sceptical about how capable I was. I wanted to perfect my balance and canter transitions (or improve them anyway) before tackling jumps.

On the last lesson I had such a positive experience with transitions and turning that I felt the time was right. So this time a couple of jumps were set-up. OK they were only little cross poles but nevertheless!

Bob the Cob seemed to enjoy it as much as me. It seemed I only had to turn my head to look at a jump and he'd turn at a canter and head straight towards it. By the end of the lesson I wanted the bars raised. My instructor (not so politely) told me to calm down.

How does this help you? Well it doesn't really, except to say I think having the confidence of being able to canter on turns helped with the jumping.Oh and it is definately worth perservering!

[CityGirl]

It's addictive isn't it?:D I'm absolute rubbish at flatwork - position, hands eh. Put me on a course & I look like a different person. For some reason, jumping makes things "click" for me when flatwork doesn't.

Can't wait until I get to do the big jumps!!:D :D I have goals of being at the 5' mark someday:eek: ;) :D