Do you think its fair?

L

Loupride

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Ok so here is the situation...

I've owned P for nearly 6 years now and I've always had aims, things I also wanted to do on him. So far we have fufilled everything we ever wanted bar one, to jump a 1.10 course, so my question is do you think its too late??
He is 16 this year and he certainly hasnt jumped around a course that height in the time Ive owned him.

Just a bit of background, got him when he was 10, was only gelded at 9 and didnt have alot of jumping experience. Was very well schooled but just a bit rusty. Spent his time charging around the place so took him right back to basics and gradually built him up again. Usually jumps 1m classes, but we have had the odd fall, one in particular that set us back a little but we are back to meters now!

I know most horses can jump 1.10 course very easily however I just wonder if its too late to ask him now! I just never got aroud to completely focusing on his jumping, but that is where we are now!

So any thoughts??
 
if hes fit and raring to go then go for it! he appears to love his jumping (going by the pics youve posted) and i hope that me and E will still be jumping that height when she is in her mid-teens! Do it, you know you want to!
 
What are you jumping at home? See how he copes jumping 1.10-1.15 at home
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I'm sure he'll be fab!!
 
Well I definately think he is physically up to it
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he actually seems to focus on bigger fences more, gives him something to concentrate on
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As for mentally as long as he feels that I am confident, he is usually fine.
 
To be honest Kat I dont jump big at home very often. Usually in lessons we concentrate on various exercese to do with rhythm and balance. If I do jump fences on my own he will clear 1.15m without a bother, obviously if we do go jumping I wont just throw him into it; I put up a few courses at home first
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Well we have started competing Chocolate aged 16 so in a similar boat!
he competed as a five year old , then broke his pelvis and had 18 months box rest.
After that everyone assumed he would be unridable but we had him checked over shortly after we aquired him and he was ok.
Last year the vet and McTimoney person ok'd him too, and he has just passed a vetting for a stallion.
I think you have to allow for the fact a 16 year old can get tired more quickly and keep them very fit. He also has a joint supplement and I am talking to our vet re a new arthritis treatment Iv'e heard about.
Last weekend he happily jumped round 3' and last autumn romped round a BE Novice height course in hunter trials, so height doesn't seem an issue.
He is now going BE eventing all summer unless he shows discomfort and in relation to other horses, he has minimal mileage on his clock..
I see no reason not to see how your horse performs, he'll let you know if he can't do it..
 
My old mare Bertha started hunting age 5, and retired with me age 24. Had a lot of people disagree with me hunting her, but she was fit, healthy and capable. She took me to every jump and I made the choice that when her day to throw the towel in was near she would tell me. She jumped everything with me on that field, hedges, gates, walls and then one day dug her feet in at the average wall a stride out. That was it- she had told me she was through with hunting so I gave up- I think they let you know when they want out.
 
Thanks for your reply HH its nice to hear from someone in a similar situation
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Wow I didnt realise Chocolate was 16, I've been drooling over his recent pics & videos!!

Thats great to hear and has certainly put me in a better frame of mind. I have to say I am a bit fussy with P, I just feel that as he gets older its up to me to look after him, hence I only jump on decent ground ect. One thing is for sure if he is not happy he will let me know
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Thanks again!
 
If you are jumping 1m classes you are doing 1.10 in the jump of anyway. So if you want to jump a course of 1.10 in theory you already have
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[ QUOTE ]
If you are jumping 1m classes you are doing 1.10 in the jump of anyway. So if you want to jump a course of 1.10 in theory you already have
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[/ QUOTE ]

I was going to say exactly the same thing
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Assuming she's been jumping BSJA of course
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Not all unaff classes put the fences up for the JO...
 
I dont know, in a 1m class Id expect the jump off to only go up to 1.05 not 1.10. And it very much depends on the venue! Some places are up to height, others never are! Are we talking BSJA or unaffiliated 1.10? How about trying a 1.05m class and seeing how that goes - the jump off for that should definately be 1.10ish.
 
I came back into riding in 2005 after 5/6 years of not riding at all - decided I was going to event my old PC horse all he had done was hunted since 1999 spent some time getting him fit and entered straight in at PN. He was 14/15 then and was absolutely fine. I am sure you will be absolutely fine!
 
Providing he's fit & up for it I see no reason why you shouldn't do it. The famous showjumping pony 'Stroller' was competing at international level until he retired at 21 years, 16 years is not old for a pony.
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go for it lou. try a handy one somewhere. broadmeadows is usually not overly big. or Kernan's...to i dunno if they have started their horse classes yet.
 
Age should not be a problem at all-many top competition horses i know are arund 15 and still doing all the big competitions. My boy is nearly 14, and i am still going up with him!!
 
My dad's old horse did her first pre-novice when she was 18/19. Up until then she had only jumped up to 3 foot, atleast since she was 10. Age shouldn't matter it just depends if he will enjoy it.
 
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