Any ideas how i can get over confidence crisis jumping 2yrs on?

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mickey17

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I am the biggest wimp in the world! I use to enjoy jumping and enjoyed competing on a regular basis untill about 2yrs ago i had a fall jumping a 1.05m course , basically we missed our striding , my mare flew it ( went higher than wings ) i wasnt ready landed with no reins or stirrups , she turned across course and jumped another fence with my dangling , on the other side i was still on till she turned as school wall was approaching and as we were travelling at speed i flew up wall smashed up against a metal structure post, the forced ripped my hat of cutted my face and leaving me winded but ok, i thought confidence was fine and went out a few days later to jump a smaller track to check confidence was ok, everything fine that day infact won class , went home didnt think about it anymore, however a few months later when i went to a show i froze and although i made myself go around it was the last time i went out and now the thought of jumping makes me sick although i really miss it and want to do it. i sold my old mare as a bit sharp and brought a quieter horse who although only 6 has jumped upto foxhunters with old owner, his much steadier although very big horse compared to old jumper, desperate to get into it even if i can just get to the point i can go out and do a 2'3" class ill be happy but nothing seems to work, any suggestions?? sorry if bit rambling on just getting angry with myself for letting fear stop me!
 
I completely sympathise with you, I had a bad fall a couple of years ago from jumping and broke my arm. I lost all my confidence jumping except on my coloured who I had owned for 3 years. i had another horse at the time and I felt physically sick everytime I jumped her, so much so, I had to sell her. Two weeks later I went to try another horse, Alisha. I was fine jumping her when I tried her, but when I got her home, I had major confidence issues. She then broke her pedal bone not long after I bought her, so had nine months off work. Meanwhile I started jumping my coloured again and he brought my confidence on loads. Now, my confidence has improved loads and I am back out competing Alisha again. Not much help, but hopefully will give you some hope that it wil get better
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Maybe try and get some lessons on a schoolmaster or have some lessons on your 6 yr old, just start over poles, and then progress to tiny cross fences, I'm sure your confidence will improve, but it will take time. Good luck
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I know exactly how you feel, I broke my leg 16 mths ago and have really struggled to get my confidence especially as she is such a sharp mare. Last summer I could hardly manage to jump a x pole!

I've been going out at least once a week, started off by doing a couple of clear rounds, moved up to clear round and first class (only 60cm) , then did 60 and 70 class for a few weeks and have since been out and done a 75!!!

Last night went for the 70 and 80 but it was so quiet with the crappy weather they only ran the 60 and 70, so we just went in and popped round the 70.

The more you go and do it, the easier it gets. I also hired my local venue last week to pop round, set up a mix of heights up to a 95cm fence and we popped them all fine! Just getting out there doing it is working so far!!
 
Thanks! its just difficult i cant imagine myself jumping, my boy puts up with me with that look in his eye 'whats that idiot upto now?' he knows his job jumping i just feel so un balanced since accident, fine on flat we do lots of dressage and are slowly moving up ranks but as soon as jumping mentioned my posture changes , need saftey harness !
 
I think it is completely understandable that this incident has given you a bit of a mental block about jumping. I had a similar experieince 13 years ago and haven't really jumped since - the difference is that I no longer want to, particularly, so the lack of it doesn't bother me.

Have you tried starting small, like a total beginner, ie poles on the ground and trotting poles? There is no rule that says you need to start again at any level higher than that, and there are no timescales here.
 
Its great to hear that people move on, as i said my boys great but sometimes his size makes him difficult to ride as covers such huge area in one stride, worried that balance will get worse with me worrying about strides even though i know he can look after himself over small fences , i think i will start pole work just need some good eyes on the ground and a more aupportive saddle, my jump saddle is quite flat and exposed but its a wow saddle and my horse goes great in it but really need to get deeper seat for security , maybe a few vodkas as well!
 
after the accident probably about 16 months ago i went to a few lessons at my friends sj yard ( i actually rode the horse i now own, she put me on him as his quiet i fell in love and the rest is history ) i felt bit better then but once at home its gone again i have done some poles and some small x and tiny upright and i mean tiny ( 1ft poss few " higher ) i enjoy my dressage and that s the way i wont to progress but wish the giving up jumping was more a personal choice rather than this fear , id love to go little xc like the others at my yard, i have even tried hypnotherapy !!!!
 
This happens to every rider at some point...sometimes over jumps, sometimes hacking out, sometimes riding a particular horse. Don't worry about it.
Can you find a sensible instructor, or friend to help you rebuild your confidence (and to put poles up for you LOL)?
Then start slowly;
Day 1 - walk over single pole on ground
2 - trot over pole
3 - canter over pole
4 - walk over multiple poles (3ft distance for stride)
5 - trot over trotting poles (4.5 ft roughly)
6 - trot over trot poles with alternate ends raised, in
jumping position
7 - trot poles to tiny cross pole (as small as you like)
8 - tiny cross pole on its own, in trot and canter
9 - raise the tiny cross pole to a small cross pole...jump
on both reins.
And so it goes on....this may sound daft, but it will work over time. And give yourself days off...hacking days etc so you're not boring yourself and your horse rigid in the school every day.
Go out to shows as a spectator....too...or take your horse to walk round and be a mounted spectator...
There are books that might help too - like 'That Winning Feeling' by Jane Savoie.
You'll get there eventually...
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I second what Shilasdair says - that's virtually what I did to get my confidence back jumping - I might have looked daft on a 16.2 WB jumping 6" cross poles, but I've got my nerve back again now and am going to start competing again soon. (touch wood!)

Keep trying and don't push yourself more than you feel comfortable with - if you only want to jump 6" - only do that height. That way you are not under any pressure and you can enjoy it again. Good luck
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what shils said, definately!!

I lost my confidence (Gradually getting it back) after my oldie got sick of SJ at a ripe old age and started stopping, I have only ever come off once and landed on my feet so I dont even have the excuse of hurting myself!!

I just keep the jumps low (as have new horse also and dont know him that well yet), gradually confidence is coming back.

I wondered what age you are? I only say this as since having a daughter some 8 years ago, a mortgage and more of a self preservation perspective sometimes we are never quite as brave as we were when we were younger lol!!
 
Some other tips I've stolen from good trainers/rider;
1. For schooling, the height of the jump doesn't matter...so you don't have to jump a certain height for it to be good practice.
2. As a rider, you don't have to see strides for your horse - that's his job.
3. Your job is just to get the horse to the jump in a straight line, and with enough impulsion (in trot or canter) to get over.
4. Sing 'Nellie the Elephant' as you canter round - will stop you holding your breath, keep rhythm, and prove entertaining to spectators
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I am completley with you, a big fall can really dent your confidence. I fell of years ago, i took the bridle off as i plunged ontop of the rather drastic looking spread onto my back, winded and booed my eyes out,accutley embarassed as i was on tv for the local network who didnt film me win my next class - just used the fall in the opening credits. I went back to basics, my steed was safe and steady, gradually i built up the confidence with small courses. After a lengthy process of not having any crash landings i did a local show, felt brill and carried on as normal.remembering to breathe as i have a tendency to hold my breath when jumping.whoops! good luck!
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