Riding into jumps

[Daffy Dilly]

Daffy is a novice jumper, so we're going jumping on Sunday for the third time to get him some more experience. He has a tendancy to throw something in at the last second - a hesitation so he can look, taking off too early, or putting an extra stride in and taking off a bit late. So as I am also a reasonably novice jumper (in that it's been years since I had a jumping lesson and I'm out of practise) I do struggle to go with him. I don't catch him in the mouth, which is one thing, but I do find myself getting left behind and coming down with a bump.

So, I need a few tips on how to ride the course to make it easiest for him, to try and avoid all of these last minute hiccups. I'm going to try putting my legs on more, but I'm rubbish at that, so I just need to go with the flow. :D

I'm not a nervous rider by any stretch, however he hasn't got the experience to trust my confidence, and I need to try and make his experiences good ones.

[Emz]

Sounds like my boy (he's 4), he likes to have a good look at what he's being asked to do before he does it.

I make sure my turns are flowing and quite wide so he can 'see' the jump. At the moment i bring him back to trot round the corners in the first round just to check he's listening and waiting for me and also to check we don't overshoot the next jump. Once he's been in the ring he'll happily canter round nicely in the jump off.

Make sure you have a good rhythm coming into the jumps that way your horse can see his/her own stride, if your rhythm is constantly changing your length of stride is too meaning the take off spot will keep changing too.

I'd try and steady up a bit rather than kicking into the jumps, give him time but keep your leg round him in order to keep him under himself if that makes sense? just go round in a nice steady rhythm but with your legs wrapped round him for confidence and to keep the impulsion.

[NoviceNic]

By luck I fell upon this thread and am interested in hearing everyone's advise as I am having a few problems with Captain at Shows. He hasnt done any jumping with his previous owners so it is new to him. I would say he tries hard for me but I think we confuse each other. Im afraid I forget about how to ride when I am at Shows due to nerves and expect him to do all the thinking for me. :o But in his noviceness he gets all excited and runs at jumps or runs out or naps and goes towards another jump. I have asked someone else to ride him at the next Show to see if a better rider will get the best out of him. If so I will then be asking her to school him and give me lessons.

My problem is if I take it steady he doesnt have the impulsion to go over the jump but if I ride him into the jump he is strong and will throw in a refusal or run out. He will on corners nap and do a 180 degree turn and go the opposite direction. Blah Blah Blah. :( Sorry ranting again. :rolleyes: Anyway i would love to hear all your advise and ideas.

[entreat]

Although my experience in jumping is limited at best, I would put in alot of training into rhythm. That's what my instructor concentrated most on for horses with those issues (my little guy was very experienced and never broke his rhythm unless I interferred!). Count out your trot, "up down up down up down" all through a course & make sure it's active, consistent and balanced the whole way through. No cantering unless you ask for it. Do the same for your canter work. you only want changes in pace when you ask, but you really want to aim for rhythm. If you feel a hesitation at a jump (or ears are unduly focussed at the jump), give a nudge, but not a kick.

also, don't confuse 'rhythm' with a 'steady mope' - you're looking for nice & active at all times.

At comps, ensure you have enough warm up in the warm-up area. and don't let people put the jumps up!!! My first comp I was terrified and some SOB put the jumps up to 1m in the warm up, even though it was the designated low-grade arena. If anything, put them a bit lower to get your confidence and concentration up.

oh! and have fun ;)

[Pink's lady]

TROT! Makes life so much easier and he'll find it easier to judge strides in trot

Took Tia round her first ever course (only 5th time jumping in her life!) and did it at a steady, forward going trot. She cleared everything and jumped calmly and sensibly.

At trot you have time to adjust and it's not too fast to control them. In canter they tend to become long and flat and uncontrolable. They then (depending on their temperament) either grind to a halt, knock jumps, charge at them or run out since you loose control. It's much easier to keep them in a forward going trot then a nice canter. It also feels a more controlled, rhythmical and flowing course and means you make a better job of it. Canter tends to feel rush and panic-y unless you're very organised.

Any course up to about 3ft can be easily done in trot. IT's not as hard as it looks and you should be able to jump from trot anyways.

[Daffy Dilly]

I do normally trot him around, although sometimes I wonder if he's prefer to canter, so I'll see how confident he feels, and maybe canter one or two of the jumps. No point over facing the pony.

The first class is novice working hunter, and last week this was a course of 1ft cross poles with a double. Nothing to worry about, and I think because every single fence will be the same, he should be nice and confident. I plan to ride him around the double when we first enter the ring, he *always* (ok out of 4 attempts) runs out at the second element because he doesn't have time to look at it. So if he sees it before we jump... and then I'll just have to ride quite hard into that one.

The showjumping is a 1ft class, and we'll have an attempt or two at the clear round (same course) before it.

TBH I'll be happy with a full set of clear rounds, whether we're lacking style, speed or anything else!! ;)

[Ross]

I'll re-iterate Rhythm. Get a nice steady rhythm into the fence, and stay consistent with your aids. Keep leg on, but in a supportive way, not driving him out of his pace, and keep your hands nice and still.

Try and get back into your rhythm as soon as possible after the jump, too, and really use the arena to take nice wide turns and give him as much chance as possible.

For the double, you know you may have a problem, so be ready for it. Don't go too far forwards over the first part, then get back and get your leg on ready for the second. If he normally goes one way or the other (most do), have your whip in that hand, and give him a tap with it on his shoulder if he starts to go.

Personally, I think it's easier to jump out of canter, as it's more of an extension of the same stride, but if you find trot easier go with that; whichever you choose make sure it's forward going and rhythmic.

And don't forget - breathe, smile, and have fun :)

Ross

[entreat]

I agree with Ross for the double advice! My pony would evade the second element becuase he could feel me waivering, and then continue out of habit even after I was confident. This all stopped when I put my legs on firmly as soon as he'd hit the ground after the first. He did need it every time, though.

You may have to do alot of practice on his striding to get his confidence up.

And trotting is easier for him to learn his stride to start with. if he canters on landing, that's ok - just bring him back down to your rhythmic trot before the next jump. :)

[jumpinintherai]

The best advice I can give is 100% focus on your horse really try and feel his body so you'll be better able to tell when he's going to do something. Other then that maybe try and get a jumping lesson or two worked in.

[Daffy Dilly]

Unfortunately I've nowhere to have jumping lessons, or we'd be fine and I could practise at home. Not ideal, but as he isn't in the slightest bit phased by competitions it just places more pressure on me really.

Wish I was still in bed, 6 hours of sleep was not a good idea. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the tips guys, and will let you know how we get on :D

[casey]

Daffy good luck for your show. :)

I think you have to let your youngster make his own mistakes. Sit in a quiet defensive seat, and dont make too many adjustments. Just keep coming in a rhythm. Let him sort himself out a bit, and you only support his actions.

ie, if he comes in too flat, half halt and let him get on with it again. Or if he drops behind the leg, encourage him to go forward without rushing him.

All of these things will make him learn for himself, give him confidence.

It's horrid jumping novices, as the squirm and wriggle all over the place. But when he becomes confident, you can take all the credit.

[Ross]

Is there a local riding club that would run jumping sessions? A lot do do small sessions, and grid jumping and loose jumping can be very beneficial to a novice, helping him sort out his balance...

Ross

[Rips]

Probably too late now but if he's inclined to hesitate just push him right on, be ready for him to take off when you push and at least you won't get caught out. Keep him controlled and rhythmic but when it gets down to it push him on. If he's on a long stride don't let him get a half in, make him take it early and go with him.
Good Luck :)