does this exist and is it a good idea?

maletto

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I seriously need to get over my jumping demons. After (another) unsuccessful day show jumping, I've decided to take action. Only slight prob is that I'm not sure what action that is...

I think I need to take myself and ned away for some intensive show jumping training. He is fine but I'm the one with the problem.

So, are there such things as "intensive show jumping courses"? maybe something similar to those things where you learn to drive in a week?! :D

I currently only jump once a week max as I don't want to put the horse off or make him sore (he is getting on a bit at 16) so would it be fair to take him away for say 5 days and jump every day? Or every other day (with flatwork on the non-jumping days)

Are there trainers where you could do an hour in the morning on a schoolmaster and then an hour in the afternoon - flatwork or jumping, either residential or not?

does anyone know of any trainers in the south (as close to southampton/salisbury) as possible who might do this?
 
He is pretty fit but I was more concerned about his joints and stuff. I've never had an oldie before (I know he's not that old but....) so don't want to cause him unnecessary suffering!

Could explore the riding school option, thanks MrsM.
 
ah right! very close then. are you a member of the Chilworth Riding Club? I used to go to the shows all the time. and possibly hunter trials but I can't really remember.
 
So does anyone have any other comments about this whole idea, or trainers in the area to recommend. I've seen something about Jonathan Bowman on the web - looks like he might offer exactly what I'm after. Does anyone have any comments about him, his teaching style or his facilities? PM me if you prefer.
 
I think Wellington Riding near Basingstoke has good short courses for adults. I am pretty sure you can specify what kind of work you would like to focus on (eg. jumping) and they have schoolmasters too. Also are happy to keep your horse their while on the course if that's what you prefer.
I am not sure about residential but there are alot of B & Bs in the area which you could stay at while your horse stays there.
Instructors and facilities are very good
this is the relevant page on their website:
http://www.wellington-riding.co.uk/template1.asp?PageID=145
 
sounds like a very good plan :)

I did something similar many years ago with Stephen Hadley - his wife cooked us lunch and it was great fun!

I've seen Jonathan ride - he's competitive yet sympathetic - never seen him teach but he rides for a friend of mine and she's delighted with him

You could go somewhere like Talland too - stay on site, ride some of their schoolmasters as well as your boy, take the pressure off him while you're learning ?? :)
 
Thanks MontyM, that thing at wellington looks ideal! i will have to call them on Monday & see if we could tailor something

So spacefaer, when you did your thing with Stephen Hadley, do you think it was worth the money? Did you see an improvement in your riding?

Good point you make about taking the pressure off B - he basically IS a schoolmaster which is probably why he gets so frustrated with my inability to commit to the fence once they get any bigger than 90cm! he just wants me to ride better!

You should have seen his face today when I hit the deck.... I was more embarrassed for him than for me
 
I'm sure places do this - my YO takes her 6 y/o ID to "jumping clinics" all the time.
I don't know if this would help but what about having lessons on someone else's horse? I lost my nerve jumping simply because I haven't jumped in so long due to Kelly's period of lami and now pedal bone rotation. Also Kelly was still learning to jump when I was jumping her so 50% of her jumps she'd do, 50% she'd stop or run out. My YO has kindly allowed me to have weekly lessons on said ID to get my confidence back and after 3 weeks I'm jumping nicely again :) I know Patrik wouldn't mess about unless I'd done something wrong so its improved my confidence no end - I'm getting there slowly. If your horse is perfectly fine jumping, could you not get an instructor in sort of once a fortnight (after the "intensive course") to keep you ticking over?
I hope you get it sorted its so nice to be able to jump without your heart in your mouth!! :)
 
I've heard really good things about Wellington Riding! Let us know how you get on...
Just thought I'd mention - Mary Wanless - although she is Oxon/Glouc - does 4 day intensive riding courses and you can jump every day as part of your second session. It made all the difference to me getting back into jumping after about 10 years of not going over anything at all, and she is as good with jumping for the rider, as she is with flatwork. I felt stable and secure for the first time, ever! (Having hunted and done Pony Club etc etc as a teenager and happily been jumping 3'6+, I realised I had no idea how I'd not died back then!!) My horse learnt to jump that week at Mary's too, bless him!
Your horse can go, stabled or out, or use one of her school horses, and Mary organised accommodation with local families for those who wanted it. I also slept in my lorry for part of the week... :-)
 
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