counting strides???

[Kerry Claire]

Sorry to bother you with yet another question, but I could really do with some advice.
I have been jumping for approx 2.5yrs but generally stay under 3ft cos I'm a bit of a whimp and terrified of heights.
For the first year of jumping I didn't go above 2ft and just set the horse at the fence and went. Then I gained loads of confidence on a riding holiday. The horse was fantastic - really smoothe to jump and always got his stride right on the approach. So by the end of the week I was managing to jump 3'6 spreads. When I went back to my normal riding school though and started jumping higher on their horses, I lost confidence. They aren't as experienced at that height, or as well-schooled. The horses ended up taking off far too early so I got left behind. This worried me a lot as I can usually stay on for a refusal or if the horse swerves, but not if they over-jump it.
I then got taught to count the strides up to the fence- I should count three strides of canter and then take-off.
However, this is where I start to get confused. I managed that fine, but I was then told to shorten or lengthen the horses stride accordingly, so they take off in the right place. I have been trying for about half a year (i only have lessons once weekly and don't always jump) but I just can't get the hang of it. How can I know several strides in advance whether they will go in too deep or be half a stride out. Has anyone else had this problem or is it just me? :(

[Danehill]

It's not only you....
With my horse, i don't have problems to count my strikes before the jump, but because I ride him 7/7 days since one year, if I change horse , I'M not sure i'll be able, because they just don't have the same strikes.

Maybe you should put only a pole on the ground, come at canter and learn how large is your horse's strike. Then, focus on counting the strikes before, even if you don't have the right spot, just to see how you horse approach the jump or the pole. Finally, when you will know exactly how your horse's strike is, you will be able to decide on time if you need to collect or extend.

[Bay Mare]

No, you're not alone.

Where did you go on the riding holiday?

I go to the Equestrian Centre in Wrexham and always jump better (and higher) there because they have horses that can do the job. I go back to my school where they don't have the jumping horses (and the ones that they do have are always allocated to the people that are already reasonable jumpers :confused: ) and it all falls to pieces again.

I'm not competent or experienced enough yet in jumping to compensate for an inexperienced horse. I also find that I can 'see' the stride better with a horse that knows what it's doing, at my usual school I seem to spend all my time trying to get them to move that by the time I get to the jump I'm knackered and completely forget about strides and things :rolleyes:

[Kerry Claire]

I went to Endon riding school for my holiday (stoke-on-trent). I really enjoyed it but not everyone did. I got lucky with the horse that I was allocated- some of the others had vices such as rearing, rolling or they were still very green. They weren't all like that though. I would definately reccomend it for someone who could bring their own horse as the facilities are great with many chances to do some x-country, show jumping, and hacking. You do 3-4hrs riding a day and a gymkana, mini show and show-jumping are included in the holiday.
Even if you don't have your own horse, I would still reccomend it for experienced or confident riders.

Thanks for the advice!