Learning to jump all over again

[girl-friday]

When I was a child I used to be great at shows and had absolutely no fear, here is a picture of him when some one was looking at him when I was round 15 years old.

http://images5.fotki.com/v65/photos/6/65918/802455/Biggles010-vi.jpg

Then a couple of years ago when I was given lessons at a school down south the instructor picked on me a lot, resulting in me totally losing my confidence in jumping and failing to fold at just about every jump.

I bought my new horse in August and have had a few jumping lessons since then, which at first were really traumatic. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel as on my last lesson, something seemed to click and I now can finally feel my horses stride again and go with his flow. Here is a picture of us jumping a wee (raised trotting pole, lol) jump at my riding instructors place.

http://images18.fotki.com/v375/photos/6/65918/4412302/Spottie072-vi.jpg

I really hope that this is the start of good things to come as my horse is really talented. Just needs his jockey to be consistent.

[*toHorse&Away*]

You look very secure so I guess its all up for you from now on. Looks a lovely horse.
Jumping seems to be a bit of a barrier for a lot of us. When I learned first time round I was bombing round 3'6" plus courses with not a fear in the world, trusting the horse implicitly (never even knew what a stride was!!)
20 years on and its a different story and I can bearely get over over a small crosspole let alone as stylishly as you look.
Part of it I think is that for me we jump probably once a month so any benefit has gone by the next lesson and its back to square one. You are lucky. You have a horse yourself so you can jump whenever you want. A little and often. gridwork is great, will be fantastic for your confidence and I bet by spring/ summer you will be posting about your great achievments in competitions!!!:D :D

[tripodi]

wow u guys look great! how long have you been riding?

[jules&oscar]

ah, well done! And you do look great! Lovely horse! :)
like they say, practice makes perfect, and the more you do it, the more confident you'll become!
it's all good! ;)

[girl-friday]

Thanks guys, you are really kind. We are taking it one step at a time so I hope it's onwards and upwards. here are all the pics from that session if you want to see my earlier, not so good, position. lol

http://public.fotki.com/Girl-Friday/animals/horses__ponies/spottie-1/jumping/

I have been riding since I was 8-9 and I am 26 now so I guess quite a while :D

[horseygal90]

One thing I can see is you look like you're gripping with your knees quite a bit, making your lower leg swing back and out whilst your upper body tips forward. In some of the pics you've got ahead of the movement, in others behind.

However it's nothing completly terrible or that can't be fixed with some practice and a little confidence. :)

[girl-friday]

No, it's on the mend. That was my first lesson in Jumping for a very long time and I was totally cacking my pants. I was standing up in the stirrups, not folding, and trying to lift my horse over with the reins. We (I) are much improved since then :)

[CER1389]

Well done you!

It gives me huge confidence whenever I hear about people such as yourself.
I've had some major jumping falls and it really knocked my confidence. My instructor just wasn't supportive enough and I would rush things and end up losing more confidence. So I finally took the plunge and left. I already worked on a private yard with another really supportive instructor. The jumping on hold whilst I continue to build up my confidence (we went galloping at the beach last week!), and then I'll return to jumping again in Spring.

So well done to you, and thank you for reminding me that I'm not the only nervous jumper, and theres hope for me yet!

Please keep me updated on how you get on :)

[jenren!!]

Well done! I for one am 17, but a few years back i was also fearless, i jumped 2ft 9 courses but now after being overhorsed and set back a bit with what i wanted to do, plus a break in jumping i tremble thinking about jumping something over 2ft.

Just go with what you're comfortable with, and progress from there. At least you have your own now which you can work with whenever.

[girl-friday]

Oh don't worry, there are plenty of nervous jumpers out there like us. When I first started back as an adult I thought I could just be like I was when I was 14, then reality and fear struck and with the help of a very bad instructor, I lost it completely. I now have the right horse, and a brilliant instructor who will never push me past my ability and I know we can be doing some small courses this season :D

[coverblown]

OH WELL DONE!

Horses are gorgeous, keep at it. Jumping is just the best

[marchhare2006]

Hi, you look great! I have similar problems. I'm fine over really tiny jumps if approached from trot but anything over 2ft and I get left behind. I either sit up too soon so get left behind on landing or if the horse approaches too fast I think I sort of hold back and sit back instead of folding forwards. Some lessons I think I've cracked it only to have the same problem again the next time. It's great to see that you're overcoming your problems!

[girl-friday]

hello, I had another lesson again today and after doing a couple in the school my instructor took me out onto the fen where it is totally open. Spottie tanked a bit and frightened me at first but we got control and did okay :D

[kt_luvs_smartie]

im in such a similiar position!! i used to jump 3ft6 courses on a 13.2 pony and then i had an accident, couldn't jump for about 3/4 months and lost all my confidence, i was scared of the poles as i crashed though them when i had my accident!! But now im rebuilding it from the very start again!! But iv reached about 2 foot now, we can both improve together:D lol! you just gotta believe in yourself and take it steady, its working for me!!