Competing - How Often is Too Often?

[measles]

I'd value your opinions on how frequently it is acceptable for a fit and healthy horse or pony to compete affiliated showjumping.

In this week's H&H one rider says how risky it is to give 3 weeks off when there are qualifying competitions on the horizon, as there always are (no criticism of that rider intended). Some horses and ponies I know compete two days every weekend, jumping 2 classes each day, without a break of more than a weekend, for two or three years.

I mean absolutely no criticism of people who choose to do this, but I tend to be overly soft and think that after one day a weekend with 2 classes for two or three weeks that perhaps I should be resting them - even though they're going well! I should add that we don't usually travel over an hour to any competition.

The reason for my post - we have an 18yo which has just come back into work and we'd like to do big BSJA classes and qualifiers with her over Britian this year. How much competing do you think would be too much?

 

[Ahrena]

Well I don't do BSJA but unaffiliated, in all disciplines I generally do 2 shows a month on each horse (so I can be out 2, 3 or 4 times myself) during winter, and 3 or 4 a month during summer. Both get a holiday during quieter times of the year.

I think doing it twice a week every week for years, especially if its the same discipline, will end up with a very stale horse.

 

[monica987]

Well everyone..well most people I know go out 2 times a week on average - that is to various things, clinics, sjing, dressage, evemnting etc and only a rest if it is the end of the season/lameness/injury ()obv wouldnt ride if lame/injured etc etc

 

[monica987]

And none of the horses I know go stale - or haven't yet!! Some have been going for years and love it! But it is a variety of different things including hunting etc so it's a bit different than doing one discipline

 

[measles]

Thanks. Our girl is in 7th heaven jumping again and is winning at top level. You can almost feel the waves of happiness as she pulls to get into the lorry on the morning of a show. I just worry about her age and what might be too much to be reasonable for her - though I don't doubt she'll always want more no matter how much jumping she gets!

 

[little_pink_piggies]

i think they tell you how often is too often... personally it varies from horse to horse...

youve just got to try it and see i think, well that swhat i would do in your situation!

I think they hate it when theyve been constantly competing and suddenly have a break, well all mine have!

 

[jess_asterix]

I usually do 1 or 2 days each week, in the summer 2 every week. And it varys between 1 and 2 classes.

Mine get a rest after Scope so semptember. Then a break over Christmas, and quiet time in February.
But from March-September I do quite a lot.

 

[Skhosu]

Totally depends ont he horse. I tend to think once a week is plenty, and it would be not that often we'd do a weekday lesson etc.
Depends also on the amount of travelling involved. I tend to think 2 days in a row is too much especially if done every weekend.

 

[Sunny_Star]

I think that showjumping rounds are so short that twice a week would be fine. I understand you have all the travelling and the warm up etc, but the strain on a horse shouldn't be much more than an average hour long jumping lesson.

 

[Oats]

I jump one or two shows a week varying on one or two classes a show they jump most weekends unless there arent any shows to go to or horse/rider is lame/ill they usually get 2 weeks holiday after scope (no riding at all) and another few days over xmas