Advice for Novice on Jumping

[JCB]

Hello everyone - just wondered if anyone could give me advice on something that happened yesterday. My instructor usually uses the last 10 or 15 minutes to teach me jumping. We've been doing this for quite a while building up slowly from poles to small jumps and finally last week I jumped 2'6" and was really pleased with myself.

This week I jumped the same height a couple of times on the left rein with no problem at all. Then on the right rein I jumped it once okay but on the second attempt the horse took off from a long way in front of the jump. This was okay as I stayed on and in correct position all right and my instructor was pleased as she says it's not the good jumps that tell you how good you are getting but the bad ones! Anyway I tried to jump it again on the right rein and again the horse jumped from a long way in front - it felt like a huge stretch for him. My instructor said it showed he trusted me not to jab him in the mouth and that that was good too!

So no real problems BUT (and here I finally get to the point) at the time I didn't think to ask my instructor what I should do to stop him from taking off so far in front of the jump - can anyone give me some advice for next time?

Thanks

Julia

 

[Farm_Girl5]

How far is far out? Just wondering because remember horses take off the height away from the jump that the height of the jump is. Did that make any sense? What I mean is if the jump is 2ft high then he would take off 2ft away from it and land 2ft after it.
Kristy

 

[JCB]

I didn't know that but in answer to your question it was a lot further than 2'6" away that he took off - I'm not very good with measurements but my instructor stood on the spot she said he took off from and it was much further than the height of the jump.

 

[Farm_Girl5]

well I can't help you more than that I'm sorry! LOL.
Hope you get an answer!
Kristy

 

[Janneke]

Are you sure you didn't somehow give him a signal to jump that early the second time on left rein? I know I jump with a horse that'll jump on his own, but take any different command from me as being correct. That means, if I go into two-point position(in front a jump, ofcourse ) to early, he'll jump the moment I do that. If I wait for his signal and then go with him that's an agreement for him(he rarely get too close though, so people who don't go with him can't get him to go right through a jump! )

Maybe the first time you suddenly 'gave' a lot of leg too early before the jump, making him jump from that spot. Also make sure that he isn't running towards the jump like an idiot. He has to trot/canter with impulse, but remeber impulse isn't the same as speed!
Love, Janneke ;D

 

[JCB]

Janneke

Thanks for your advice - I think you were right and I was asking him too early without realising that I was doing so. I've just come back from my lesson this week and managed to take off from the correct spot by consciously thinking about where I asked him to jump! The jumping is going better than the flatwork at the moment which is amazing considering I was terrified at the thought of even poles a few months ago!

Thanks again for your help.

Julia

 

[Janneke]

Hi Julia!
I'm glad it went alright this time! Keep up the good work.
Love, Janneke

 

[Canter]

Hi!
I just wanted to add a quick comment...
I agree that you may have been giving the horse signals the first time (ie: forward seat/two-point a little early), however keep in mind that it is the rider's job to calculate and organize distances for the horse. That is, you have to get used to the feel of how long your horse's stride is and as you approach the jump, visualise how many strides you are going to need in order to take off correctly. If the horse is rushing at the jump, then all too often they take off from the wrong place. Try and slow or increase your speed as you see fit in order to correctly accomodate your horse's stride in the distance allowed. Riding your horse to the base of the jump really makes a difference. I notice that most of my newer jumping students line up the horse and prepare themselves, rather than continuing to concentrate on the horses movement.
I'm glad to hear that you're finally feeling as though you have a little more control over the fences.... it'll all begin to come together from there!!!

Good Luck,

Shelley