Technical question ... how do you go about jumping higher?

[wonderpony]

Does anyone have any practical advice on how you introduce a pony to bigger tracks, and how to tell when it has reached its natural ceiling?

My daughter has really enjoyed jumping her 14.2 hh pony for a couple of years, progressing gradually from 75 cms to about 1 metre 5 over that time as her confidence, knowledge and partnership with her pony increased. Now we've switched country and after a long break she's started entering competitions again.

To cut a long story short, the first class ... 60 - 80 cms ... is probably a bit low and I can see the other parents don't like her doing it. In the second class ... 80 - 100 cms, often very up to height ... she was luck enough to place first time out and win second time. Some people are now telling her she should try the next class, 1 m up to about 1 m 15, but this is very much new territory for her and, I think, the pony. It has to be said the only time we watched this class, the course was huge and there were no other ponies in it (classes here divide by age, not size of horse).

So ... in her last lesson, the fence got jacked up to 1 metre 20. Pony ploughed straight through it (eek, fortunatly she's a brave soul). Tried again yesterday, pony did better but was taking it off with front legs. Daughter is I think very undecided.

Should we take it as a sign that the height is too high for the pony and just enjoy what she's already doing and not mind what other people say, or should they have another try and if so any advice on how best to go about it?

[kelsey27]

Well obviously a metre and a metre 20 are very diffrent in size. Does your daughter fit the pony well or is she a bit big becuase ponies can be known to stop if the rider is slightly big for them. But dont give up mayb increase the jumps by a couple of holes instead half a metre and see what happens. I no ponies which can jump 1m 20 that are 14.2hh but every pony is diffrent. Also mayb try to put higher fences in a grid so that the pony wont worry about the striding. but if your pony is a clean and clear jumper then mayb the rare clipping of poles then it mayb be because the jumps are too big. what breed and age is the pony?? hope this helps xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Janicexr]

If she used to jump 1.05m - then why not start jumping this class again.
Then progress to 1.10m then if confidant progress to 1.15m.

When praticing at home. Gain your horses confidance by jumping grids that gradually get bigger. Don't just throw her in at the deep end with a whooping great up right. With a grid this sets her strides up for her.

Is she afiliated (BSJA) ?

Grid work is the way forward.
Good luck

[andreaB]

don't let other people push your daughter out of the classes she is happy with ,(some people will just be jealous)if the pony doesnt have the scope to do the next class it could well shatter both child & ponys confidence

just because she can do well in the lower class doesnt mean she should nec be in the higher one , my horse would regualry place in intermed classes but we didn't have the tecnical ability to do well in the opens' i found then a really big step up

good luck which ever way you go!!

[emily+meg]

I agree, definitely only move her and her pony up a stage if you and she want to, not because others say she should try.

I would keep jumping at 1m05 and gradually move up to 1m10 in lessons etc, then try 1m10 at shows, once she is happy with that, try 1m15 in lessons. Go up in stages. Also, study the ponies expression when jumping, has he/she got pricked ears, relaxed, or when it gets bigger does the pony tense/put ears back etc?

good luck whatever you decide.