All you show jumpers out there

[JS65]

Help i need some advice.
I want to regain my confidence showjumping.
I used to jump a lot a few years back but after a hefty accident i freeze approaching jumps and cling on for dear life!
Now i am buying a new horse, in my heart of hearts i really want to jump but on my arab or my TB i just don't feel it.
Question is, do you think it's down to the type of horse and do you believe that i might find some big old school master that will just feel right when i get on and help me overcome my fear?

 

[sonic09]

Hi - I have just had a nasty SJ accident and chipped a vertibrae, but to be honest if you come off doing any discipline the thought of doing it again goes through your mind. I do think though you should get on a school master at jumping something that wont stop etc and get your confidence back before attempting the Show Jumping again on any type of horse. I am now back doing a bit of jumping, returned back into the saddle 2 weeks after my accident. The jump I came off at was 1.50m, and I am now back up doing about 1:10m. Good Luck.

 

[RubysGold]

I haven't done any showjumping yet, but I have started gaining my confidence and will hopefully be competing next year.
I know exactly what you mean about freezing, although with me it isn't caused by an accident, just inexperience.
I believe the horse plays a major part in building confidence, but I also believe you need a good instructor.
I am starting to get more confident on my horse but if i ride someone elses horse i wont jump. My instructor is amazing, he helps me when my nerves kick in.
At the moment i still freeze on the approach to the fence but the actual jump and the control after landing have improved alot.
Try to find a horse that will help you build the confidence, a horse that has been there, done that.
Nickie

 

[rotters13]

Get a SJ pony if you can.... they sort out their own strides and are a lot nicer than horses! :-D And a lot safer, they seem to have more self-preservation!

 

[Mrs_Wishkabibble]

You need a confidence giving horse who you will learn to trust after a time.
I was ready to pack it all up after having lots of accidents on a certain horse.

I found the right horse and am now back jumping BSJA.
Good luck, your confidence will return with the right horse.

 

[Gorgeous George]

I had a nasty accident before I got George jumping at the RS and it shattered my confidence, but like you I knew I wanted to jump. So 6mths after getting George (07) I started with trotting poles with my instructor, and then raised poles and little jumps and finally last Sunday we managed this :

The key for me was putting the jumps up a tiny bit each time, but also learning to trust George and realising that he wanted to look after me, if he feels me wobble he usually chips in a little half stride. We are slowly getting there and I am beginning to really enjoy jumping again.

 

[Asimmons]

Excellent! Have lots of fun and take it nice and slow!

 

[JS65]

I have tried starting with trotting poles and going higher but get to this stage below

And can't get any higher without freezing and doing 20mtr circles until my instructor shouts at me!

I feel so pathetic!

 

[Asimmons]

JS65...get a schoolmaster...you don't want to frighten yourself or a horse any more...it's meant to be fun...If it was me, I might try and get some lessons on a schoolmaster to get my confidence back and then see where that left me viz a new horse...it takes so long to get to know a new horse anyway, that you don;t want to complicate matters by using that getting acquainted time trying to cure your jumping nerves...the pegs may fall out and leave you even less likely to enjoy it again..and you don't want to miss out!

 

[annret]

See if you can get an older schoolmaster on loan?
check the 'loan' sec on horsequest

You obv like your hot types & intellegent horses so would probably be a far more suitable loanee than many people for an ex-competition horse

Perhaps not even an older horse - a young horse who hasn't learnt to stop/run out may be even more rewarding.

I personally DON'T think it's down to the type of horse - I'm a terrible rider but ride SO much better on compact, quick, hot types than big warmbloods that need held together with 4 different legs doing different things...
it's just finding a horse who DOES give you the confidence.

Also, not necessarily your standard 'confidence giver' type - a quirky horse can be sooooo much more confidence giving when you feel you have a bond and you're ready to tackle the next wee step.

This is long and ramblesome, sorry!

 

[BBH]

I came back to jumping after a very long break and was surprised at how much I seemed to have grown in confidence since I last jumped, until the horse I was riding put in a dirty stop and I remembered how quickly it can go wrong. I finished the course through sheer determination and it was the best thing I did.

You have to try and have a really strong mindset that says that you're not going to fall off every time you ride and take things slowly, Oh and for me I now won't jump a horse I don't trust 100%.

 

[Stacie_and_Jed]

I have never been put off of jumping through an accident but i have fallen in a ditch and me and horse struggled to get out.

That really knocked my confidence out hacking but the more i done it and told me self ive only fallen in a ditch once in nearly 15 years of riding, its not likely to happen again any time soon, the better i got and now i still think about going into a ditch when im riding past but i will happily hack out again without fear!!!

So keep doing it and eventually your demonds will dissapear! Good luck.

 

[VLHIEASTON]

Can't you get an older grade A and do members ? I assume your not listed in top 200 riders ?

 

[JS65]

[ QUOTE ]
Can't you get an older grade A and do members ? I assume your not listed in top 200 riders ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Bottom 200 hundred maybe lol

I am now looking for an older horse, maybe on loan that needs an easier life and enjoys popping smallish fences that has been there done that.
Must be some old grade A out there not ready for full retirement.
Anyone one know where i should start looking?

 

[annret]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Can't you get an older grade A and do members ? I assume your not listed in top 200 riders ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Anyone one know where i should start looking?

[/ QUOTE ]
Did you have a look on horsequest?
15hh 14yr old gelding eventer with £250 bsja; 16hh 16yr old mare with £300 bsja; or put up your own ad?

 

[annret]

You can put up free classifieds on new rider, also

http://horsemart.co.uk/AdvertRef/HM844I10H/AdvancedType/Misc/Page/2/Web/DisplayHorseDetail.asp

http://horsemart.co.uk/AdvertRef/HM844F43A/AdvancedType/Misc/Page/3/Web/DisplayHorseDetail.asp

http://horsemart.co.uk/AdvertRef/HM841NF16/AdvancedType/Misc/Page/5/Web/DisplayHorseDetail.asp

worth a look?

Not grade A's but you'd probably need to hear about them word of mouth from an instructor or something...

 

[gnubee]

Have you considered going to a local riding school for some lessons? They will have horses/ponies that they regularly use to teach people to jump and give them confidence, and as you wouldnt be the only rider for any of these horses, you wouldnt need to bother about passing on your lack of confidence to them and causing more problems for yourself down the line. At the height you are currently worried about, it doesnt really look like you need a grade A jumper to get you over them safely, and you may benefit from a short time with a potentially calmer and less scopey horse.
Once you have had lessons to get yourself back up to (nearly) the height you want to eventually be jumping, I would think that would be a better time to look for a horse to own/loan that is capable of taking you to compete at that height without knocking your confidence.

 

[annret]

If you're looking to buy....
http://www.ortonlanestud.com/CompetitionHorsesforsale.html