Am i too tall to jump my horse?

EquestrianFairy

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Its been mentioned to me on here that i am too tall to be jumping my horse at any real height.
Im 5'7 and he is a farily light 15.2hh..

I thought i would post it here as an idea for people who compete regular to comment as its never been said before?

Thanks

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DarkHorseB

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Utter nonsense!! Look at really tall people like William Fox Pitt & Mark Todd! Mark's best horse ever Charisma was only 15.3hh and he is WAAAY taller than you!!
 

dressagelove

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Rubbish! absolute bilge lol

I am similar height, closer to 5'8, and my horse is also 15.2hh, we manage fine

unless he is struggling which i highly doubt, he will tell you im sure! are you doing well and placing / winning? dont listen, have faith in you and your horse :)

ps. he is a stunner, very nice little horse, i wish you all the best
 

Lolo

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You're joking, yes? Sister is 5'5ish (probably 5'6 now). Until 18 months ago (same height for 3 years now) she's been competing a 14.2hh, a 13hh and a 13.2hh pony...

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Ginge is 13hh coblet, bay is a 14.2hh mare (and she was super-fine...). Sister is a size 10, and pretty much all muscle so not light despite being slim.

You look fine- your stirrups might be a bit long in those photos, but honestly! Ignore them.
 

measles

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Son is just over 6ft and his mare is under 15.3hh I'd say. Doesn't stop him jumping 1.30's.

However, height isn't everything and balance and riding ability play big parts, too. You look fine but if in doubt speak to your instructor.
 

Jenni_

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I'm 5'9 and Ive just started jumping my 15.3 Andalucian. So nonsense. You look fine! Great intact. You probably have much better balance because Of those long legs, and your nice and skinny!

P.s your horse is beautiful!!!
 

EquestrianFairy

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Thanks Jenni :)

Ive been out of riding properly for about 10 months and did some jumping last week which was abysmal!
Im moving to a new yard with lovely facilities and plan to get going with weekly lessons to start competing properly and competently..

I think im overtly sensitive about my height because i know i should have gotten a 16hh+ because im tall but ive had this guy for 5 years now since he was 4yo and could never part with him even though he never grew bigger than 15.2hh.
 

Javabb94

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I'm 5ft 11" and I Jump my 15.2hh tb x Appaloosa

What utter nonsense whoever said that i have jumped my 12.1hh to keep him fit when I was 5ft 7
 

GeeUp&Go

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it was 5'7", 11 stone and jumping a 14hh when i was 17. We cleared 1.60 puissance, so I dont think we had much of a problem!!

I think most people just overhorse themselves (heightwise) to make them feel taller. I see far too many people on 16.2 that should be on 14.2!! you look a great size - hitch up your stirrups 2 holes and you'll be the most stable and secure rider in the class!
 

CrazyMare

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Good lord no!!! I am 5ft7 and my girl is 13.1h.

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Just a few from over the last 5 years - we've been together 11 years now, and shes AWESOME!
 

OneInAMillion

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I jumped a naughty 12hh pony for a few weeks around every 2ft6 hunter trial there was. I'm 5ft5 and size 10. He was absolutely fine carrying me! (It was pony squishing!)
 

Fairy Dust

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No! I'm 5'9 and had a little 15.2 tb who i used to jump 1.10 tracks on! I am slim but still have the long legs and we did fine! You and horse look great together! :)
 

milo'n'molly

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Well obviously you are WAY too tall to go anywhere near your horse, in fact i think you should send him straight to me :D
You should get a 17.2hh tank and charge around (often sideways or backwards) like soooo many other people do

only kidding but he is stunning and you look good together, as mentioned above, whoever said that is either envious or ignorant.
 

kerilli

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you're fine as long as you're not knocking down the fences after the horse has jumped them... i shot up to 5'10" in less than a year when i had my 14.2, and swinging my lower legs out of the way wrecked my jumping position completely!
you look as though you fit him perfectly imho, and you don't look heavy for him either.
height's only a problem if it leads to imbalance (with the notable exceptions of WFP, Toddy etc, a lot of tall riders can look rather untidy, whereas more compact riders look neater).
 

Sanolly

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Son is just over 6ft and his mare is under 15.3hh I'd say. Doesn't stop him jumping 1.30's.

However, height isn't everything and balance and riding ability play big parts, too. You look fine but if in doubt speak to your instructor.
Exactly this.

I struggled to jump my 13.1 after the jumps got to about 3 foot, purely because I found it hard to get my balance on a slim pony!

If you feel in balance then there is nothing to stop you :)
 

Kenzo

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I think it's really down to how you feel and how well your horse performs, if it feels right and your both jumping well then I wouldn't worry about your height, suppose if when you take into consideration technique (balance)/lessons/a good jumping saddle that suits your size etc. etc. then a combination of getting all those right or making a few changes if need be will also help in a big way.

Don't let someones comment give you a complection.
 

CrazyMare

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What I meant to add but forgot was that you can see the difference a saddle makes - in the last picture I had my old saddle, and I am a little out of balance. In the first two, I have my current saddle, that feels like glue!!!
 
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