Confidence to show jump

[tye_bo]

Do you think you can learn to like jumping or is it something you are born loving? Reason I ask is I used to jump when I was a teenager (only very local shows and small classes). Even then it wasn't something that I ever felt came naturally and I didn't think I was very confident (but looking back I wouldn't have the confidence now that I had then!!) although I suppose I must have enjoyed it or I wouldn't have done it. Anyway I'm now the wrong side of 30

and I haven't jumped for the best part of probably 10 years?? Do you think this is something I could learn to get my confidence back in or should I forget it and stick to hacking? I love watching the jumping at local shows and would love to be good at it but I'm not sure if I'm too much of a wuss these days?

 

[jumpthemoon]

You can enjoy yourself jumping without being scared witless! Just don't overface yourself - if you only want to do a 3" high X pole, then only do that - you don't need to jump 1.30 to have some fun

Start off with some trotting poles and just enjoy yourself. If you take it slowly and have some lessons with a sympathetic instructor, you'll be popping round a course in no time

 

[harrihjc]

I think it is something you enjoy more as your confidence increases, and I found a good instructor worked wonders with that. I didn't jump for about 5 years and 1ft6 looked daunting, but a year on I can happily cope with 3ft courses. The more you do it the more you get used to it and it seems smaller and more do-able. Having a nice reliable and trustworthy horse helps too

 

[Magicmillbrook]

I can totaly sympathise with you. I used to jump, not particulalry high or well. But since having a break and am totaly useless. I did post last week for some advice, 'Jumping for numpty's'. I can now do a x pole and will proabbly have some lessons when the clocks go back and the sand school dries out again.

 

[kizzywiz]

Definately agree, you can get your confidence back with a good trainer, once my technique improved, so did my confidence.