FAO anyone interested in Fergles...

[JFTDWS]

Haha high praise indeed Normally when I post on threads they promptly die a death/get pulled so I was beginning to think I was cursed

That happens to me a lot too I'm grateful for any suggestions with his jumping (and mine ) especially when they make sense. I really should have titled this "jumping cc" or similar and I might get more hits, but it was late and I didn't think. Fortunately you are here anyway so all's well that ends well

Nope... Once I'd "drawn" them I just saved them in a folder (which I've already forgotten the name of) on my laptop.

they need to be on the internet - easiest place to put them is Photobucket or Flickr. You can embed from facebook etc, but it's easier from Photobucket. Accounts are free and you just upload and then it gives you an IMG code to copy and paste into here

On photobucket, if you upload, you see thumbnails of your photos like this. If you hover over the one you want to embed, it gives you all the different codes for different things - the last one is the IMG code for forums - circled in red here

I did this for someone on another forum the other day

If you're bored, I'd love your opinions on the video - if you can face it (not pretty )

 

[Polo*Pony]

Thank you for the image help
Here are my wonderful drawings. Ok, basic layout:

Turning around to each jump (funny squashed shapes should resemble circles):

Big circles (yes, they should also be circular):

Edited to add: pictures are huge! Sorry!!

 

[JFTDWS]

Aha! Well done They're fine, size-wise too - not massive

I had the right idea on the layout and the first exercise but the wrong end of the stick with the second, so that's helpful... I'm sure it will be an absolute disaster of flying poles, but hopefully we'll learn something from it

 

[rhino]

How does he feel to jump? On video he looks very happy to be jumping, but not like he is taking you to the jump, if you know what I mean?

 

[Polo*Pony]

Those make sense - and I can manage that with what I have when I hire the indoor May be helpful in many ways too - courses don't really happen for us, the canter dies half way round, he goes flat and blech (i.e. I lose the ability to ride) and crash through / scramble round (I have video evidence of that too )

Cheers

I think your sketches were slightly different, but nothing to stop you taking those routes as well! They are quite good for practising courses in a limited space as you can mix it up quite well.

I know what you mean about the canter dying... Practise makes perfect (well, apparently!). Keep it interesting (for both of you); maybe work on lengthening/shortening between jumps to keep the focus on the canter rather than the jumps, and don't be afraid to circle out of a jump if you don't think you'll get over it - not last minute, obviously, but if you were planning on jumping A then B, but partway through the canter dies, put a circle in and get it back before you go to B.

See if you can spot patterns - does he tend to die around corners or on the stretches down the long side? Does he move away from the fence he's just jumped?

Sorry for the flood of posts... Off to watch your video so there'll probably be another post in a bit!

 

[black_horse]

Really? Even though his owner constantly threatens to decapitate your beautiful mare?

Really its his owner i cannot stand, not the horse

 

[JFTDWS]

Really its his owner i cannot stand, not the horse

Understandable He's very flattered

I know what you mean about the canter dying... Practise makes perfect (well, apparently!). Keep it interesting (for both of you); maybe work on lengthening/shortening between jumps to keep the focus on the canter rather than the jumps, and don't be afraid to circle out of a jump if you don't think you'll get over it - not last minute, obviously, but if you were planning on jumping A then B, but partway through the canter dies, put a circle in and get it back before you go to B.

See if you can spot patterns - does he tend to die around corners or on the stretches down the long side? Does he move away from the fence he's just jumped?

Makes sense... I'll let you know how it goes

Ah, we tend to lose impulsion away from fences. I should work on that somehow. I did try having a placing pole after fences to encourage him to canter up and away, but it didn't work terribly well (I probably wasn't riding it right).

How does he feel to jump? On video he looks very happy to be jumping, but not like he is taking you to the jump, if you know what I mean?

He sometimes feels like he's locked on and going, but I never feel like I could stand up and let him take me in, no... He's keen to jump, and he's not not forward (urg, horrible english!) but he's also not entirely forward, if that makes any sense?

 

[Murphs_Mum]

My god I love that horse he is my inspiration for my Murphy replacement and the only reason I'm still bothering with promotion exams!

 

[shortstuff99]

I have to say watching the vid he never looks like he is getting too close and jumps great! The hight of the last jump seems to take him by surprise a bit hence, I think, the slightly strange jump. I think his canter needs to be more active and bouncy onto his hocks to get a better jump and rhythm. I would work on changing pace within his canter to get a better freedom in the pace.

 

[JFTDWS]

My god I love that horse he is my inspiration for my Murphy replacement and the only reason I'm still bothering with promotion exams!

I love him too Highlands are always worth any number of exams - no matter how unpleasant the exams are

I have to say watching the vid he never looks like he is getting too close and jumps great! The hight of the last jump seems to take him by surprise a bit hence, I think, the slightly strange jump. I think his canter needs to be more active and bouncy onto his hocks to get a better jump and rhythm. I would work on changing pace within his canter to get a better freedom in the pace.

Do you think? It always feels slightly awkward to me - as though he's in too deep, but maybe my perspective is skewed by never having had a normal jumper Yes, the last fence was pushing him out of his comfort zone - I wanted to see how he'd react / cope and how honest he'd be, so I'm not overly worried by the awkward jump there.

Changing pace / stride length within the canter - duly noted and added to the list of things to practice Thanks!

 

[shortstuff99]

I think I'm used to jumps looking a bit like that as my old cob used to sj 1m05+ with me and as she doesn't have huge long legs she would have to get closer to make the width etc. so after my ramblings I think I'm trying to say his build will make him jump differently to the usual sj type? Does that make sense? Not sure that it does! Lol

 

[NiceChristmasBaubles]

I love your boy JFTD. When I was a teenager I used to ride a wonderful Highland pony belonging to the daughter of the riding school owner. He was the sort of pony that was always very 'busy' but as long as you rode him quietly he was a pleasure. Jumping him was always exciting. Flat out gallop then a cat jump. But again as long as you just sat there he would sail over the jumps. I can remember it now - full mane to hang onto and that flap flap flap noise of petal over reach boots!

 

[JFTDWS]

I think I'm used to jumps looking a bit like that as my old cob used to sj 1m05+ with me and as she doesn't have huge long legs she would have to get closer to make the width etc. so after my ramblings I think I'm trying to say his build will make him jump differently to the usual sj type? Does that make sense? Not sure that it does! Lol

Makes perfect sense. My old cob does that too. But he can jump properly - so I think Fergs can learn to as well. At least, I hope he can

I love your boy JFTD. When I was a teenager I used to ride a wonderful Highland pony belonging to the daughter of the riding school owner. He was the sort of pony that was always very 'busy' but as long as you rode him quietly he was a pleasure. Jumping him was always exciting. Flat out gallop then a cat jump. But again as long as you just sat there he would sail over the jumps. I can remember it now - full mane to hang onto and that flap flap flap noise of petal over reach boots!

Sounds awesome They are complete lunatics, highlands Not in the mad "I'd kill you in a heartbeat" TB way, more in the harmless, eccentric "Dick Van Dyke in Diagnosis Murder roller skating around the hospital" way

Someone find me a pair of old style westropp Mark 1 petal boots and we could probably do a decent impersonation of the highland you rode!

 

[Cuffey]

Having had a Highland I used to describe his jumping as being in 2 parts, first lift the front end to the required height then open up the throttle to get the back end over.
I used to shut my eyes hunting but he never made a mistake.
I never asked my one to jump spreads though--that might have been pushing my luck.

When 'on a diet'' he could pop out of a fenced pen from a standstill or over a field slip gate if he thought he had been off the grass long enough.

Fergles is lovely and brings back happy memories!

 

[dafthoss]

He sounds very like the yellow one was, he is now so much more forward to a fence and his jump has improved no end so less poncing from you two more cantering like you mean it or I'm going to chuck you on the yellow one so you can jump him....... although I may chuck you up any way .

 

[JFTDWS]

Having had a Highland I used to describe his jumping as being in 2 parts, first lift the front end to the required height then open up the throttle to get the back end over.
I used to shut my eyes hunting but he never made a mistake.
I never asked my one to jump spreads though--that might have been pushing my luck.

When 'on a diet'' he could pop out of a fenced pen from a standstill or over a field slip gate if he thought he had been off the grass long enough.

Fergles is lovely and brings back happy memories!

Thanks! Ha, yes he is a bit like that to jump. Ideally, I'd like to be able to do WH M&Ms on him and unaff sj - so I'd like him to develop a bit more form to handle spreads better... My 2 year old can hop my fencing too - I'm hoping he will turn into a jumper as a result

He sounds very like the yellow one was, he is now so much more forward to a fence and his jump has improved no end so less poncing from you two more cantering like you mean it

Are you encouraging me to beat my horse up again

 

[NiceChristmasBaubles]

Sounds awesome They are complete lunatics, highlands Not in the mad "I'd kill you in a heartbeat" TB way, more in the harmless, eccentric "Dick Van Dyke in Diagnosis Murder roller skating around the hospital" way

Someone find me a pair of old style westropp Mark 1 petal boots and we could probably do a decent impersonation of the highland you rode!

Yes total lunatic, but not a nasty bone in his body. It was a real promotion to be allowed to ride him, not many people were so it was quite a privelege. He was a bright bay colour with a black and chestnutty mixed mane but I think couldn't have been bay because he had an eel stripe. I remember one time we couldn't have a lesson as the RI was ill, so I was allowed to take him out for a hack. My dear Dad (who actually looked like Dick van Dyke in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang etc) came on foot with me and was terrified about me riding this snorty frothing thing (in a pelham with curb). I LOVED it.

 

[dafthoss]

Yes I am but its all in the name of improving his jump so it ok .

 

[Jesstickle]

I think you are too hard on yourself!

 

[JFTDWS]

Yes total lunatic, but not a nasty bone in his body. It was a real promotion to be allowed to ride him, not many people were so it was quite a privelege. He was a bright bay colour with a black and chestnutty mixed mane but I think couldn't have been bay because he had an eel stripe. I remember one time we couldn't have a lesson as the RI was ill, so I was allowed to take him out for a hack. My dear Dad (who actually looked like Dick van Dyke in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang etc) came on foot with me and was terrified about me riding this snorty frothing thing (in a pelham with curb). I LOVED it.

Sounds totally awesome Probably some variant on bay dun type? I dunno, highlands seem to have colours which don't exist in other breeds

Is it wrong that my brain is also going "mmm nikicb's Dad must've been quite attractive" I do worry, sometimes ...

Yes I am but its all in the name of improving his jump so it ok .

It's never ok to brutalise your horse I take it you didn't get eliminated for abuse today?

I think you are too hard on yourself!

Maybe, maybe not. I can see that it's not pretty, but I do realise it could be worse I have no real perspective - partly not having an instructor/external influences and partly not really having many horsey interactions - I don't see how other people acheive things / how quickly / whether they hit difficulties / how they deal with things - so I never really know whether we're getting on with things ok or whether I'm not stretching him enough etc.

I'm not complaining about any of that - I love the feeling of complete freedom in his education, and feeling reasonably responsible when we get it right - it just means I don't have anything to compare us to

 

[dafthoss]

Pftttt yeah right!! thats not what you said and you will have something to compare to once your field dries up as I AM throwing you up on speshul to jump.
Nope not eliminated for pony abuse but we did have a pc style kick to one fence theres a report complete with shocking photos in CR.

 

[NiceChristmasBaubles]

Sounds totally awesome Probably some variant on bay dun type? I dunno, highlands seem to have colours which don't exist in other breeds

Not sure, I'm certainly no colour expert. I was told our Arab X, which was advertised as an Arab x Exmoor, couldn't have been that because he was a roan by someone on here. He's still a lovely pony and definitely an Arab X something - his tail sticks up in the air and he does giraffe impressions.

Is it wrong that my brain is also going "mmm nikicb's Dad must've been quite attractive" I do worry, sometimes ...

Yes he was. He was in his early 20s when I was born so still youngish (younger than me now!) when I was in my teens and a lot of my friends had crushes on him. He was just my lovely Dad to me.

 

[JFTDWS]

Pftttt yeah right!! thats not what you said and you will have something to compare to once your field dries up as I AM throwing you up on speshul to jump.
Nope not eliminated for pony abuse but we did have a pc style kick to one fence theres a report complete with shocking photos in CR.

HAHA. Seriously, don't you remember the last time - I screamed because he trotted when I ASKED him to trot I'm so hopeless

Ooh I shall toddle over to CR

Not sure, I'm certainly no colour expert. I was told our Arab X, which was advertised as an Arab x Exmoor, couldn't have been that because he was a roan by someone on here. He's still a lovely pony and definitely an Arab X something - his tail sticks up in the air and he does giraffe impressions.

haha awesome

Yes he was. He was in his early 20s when I was born so still youngish (younger than me now!) when I was in my teens and a lot of my friends had crushes on him. He was just my lovely Dad to me.

Reassuring!

 

[JFTDWS]

Shameless bump - any more for any more?

Rhino - any tips on getting that "taking me into fences" feeling? The last time we had it was in the snow in my sig pics - I really felt he was taking me into the boundary fences of my field

 

[Aperchristmas]

Well for his length of stride he doesn't look to be getting too close. Because he is a Highland, he naturally has a fairly short stride so he will have to get fairly close to jump the fence. You can see the issue on landing when the canter dies so really focus on riding him away from the fence so he learns not to just drop himself on landing.
Like others have said, polework will really help (I know they're annoying re distances and setting them out but it really is worth it!) and adding a pole a stride out will help his jump. What happens if he goes a bit faster into fences? I'm not necessarily advocating this but it might help him to be a little more confident and to open up the canter a bit more. Obviously don't let him rush or overface him with speed but might be worth playing about with a bit.

And btw he is gorgeous!! If you ever get fed up with him send him my way! Please!! Pretty please!!

 

[shortstuff99]

Also poles after the jump too can help,gets them thinking and keeps the canter going. Having a balanced impulsive canter will give you 'that feeling' .

 

[JFTDWS]

Well for his length of stride he doesn't look to be getting too close. Because he is a Highland, he naturally has a fairly short stride so he will have to get fairly close to jump the fence. You can see the issue on landing when the canter dies so really focus on riding him away from the fence so he learns not to just drop himself on landing.
Like others have said, polework will really help (I know they're annoying re distances and setting them out but it really is worth it!) and adding a pole a stride out will help his jump. What happens if he goes a bit faster into fences? I'm not necessarily advocating this but it might help him to be a little more confident and to open up the canter a bit more. Obviously don't let him rush or overface him with speed but might be worth playing about with a bit.

And btw he is gorgeous!! If you ever get fed up with him send him my way! Please!! Pretty please!!

Interesting... It does feel slightly "awkward" though - and it looks awkward to me on film - but maybe it looks better to a more experienced eye? Or it's awkward in a different way?

Yes. I must not be so lazy with poles I hadn't really thought about it until someone said "where does rhe canter die in a course" and I thought "landing every fence" I will work on this...

I'm not sure I've ever really pushed him into a fence at speed - though I'd love to try rhino's gallops suggestion - he does feel like he's moving fast in the video clips there, though he clearly isn't... I shalll play around and see what happens...

Thanks! After today, I might have considered sending him to anyone He can be a spooky little sod, and I was practically having a breakdown Still, tomorrow's another day!

 

[rhino]

Rhino - any tips on getting that "taking me into fences" feeling? The last time we had it was in the snow in my sig pics - I really felt he was taking me into the boundary fences of my field

It's probably something that will come naturally with a bit more time and experience on Fergs' part. He's looks adorably honest to jump I don't think you are doing anything wrong.

Work on lengthening and shortening the canter will help, putting 2 poles down 6 horse strides apart and then seeing how many and how few strides you can get between them is a good little exercise (and helps for Trec CoP). Insist he moves off your leg immediately when you ask, I'm sure you would anyway but it is important.

At the moment he's got plenty of 'lift' but seems to lose a bit of momentum when he's actually taken off, and that's something which could lead to a few sticky jumps if they were any wider. Make sure you ride him away from the jumps, when you are competing this can save a second a jump

I also think he's needs to 'open out' a little; when you are hacking/xc, how is his gallop stride? The best things for Tam were (a) learning to gallop properly - upsides his irish tb 'girlfriend' and (b) pairs xc - if only ginger horse wasn't several hundred miles away and broken he would have been brilliant as a pair for F.

When I first got ginger horse he would canter neatly round sj courses and all was fine till he got things wrong (I can't for the life of me see a stride and at that point he needed a deadly accurate rider ) and then he would lose all confidence and stop. Xc taught him to move forward, off my leg and take responsibility for himself a bit more, and was the making of him. He is a natural worrier, and you need to make him believe he is a tiger! When you get that 'locked on' feeling it's wonderful!

 

[[59851]]

Wow!!! Nothing wrong with your position at all!! I would be on the floor. I would love to be able to pop over a jump like that!! I have a real problem jumping and have had to turn back on many a hack because of a tree branch in the way, others have popped over Ive had to go home.

 

[JFTDWS]

Wow!!! Nothing wrong with your position at all!! I would be on the floor. I would love to be able to pop over a jump like that!! I have a real problem jumping and have had to turn back on many a hack because of a tree branch in the way, others have popped over Ive had to go home.

That's a real shame... I'm sure you could get the hang of it - with a nice, trustworthy horse who you can concentrate on yourself with... My position could be a lot more elegant, but at least it's reasonably secure.

It's probably something that will come naturally with a bit more time and experience on Fergs' part. He's looks adorably honest to jump I don't think you are doing anything wrong.

Work on lengthening and shortening the canter will help, putting 2 poles down 6 horse strides apart and then seeing how many and how few strides you can get between them is a good little exercise (and helps for Trec CoP). Insist he moves off your leg immediately when you ask, I'm sure you would anyway but it is important.

At the moment he's got plenty of 'lift' but seems to lose a bit of momentum when he's actually taken off, and that's something which could lead to a few sticky jumps if they were any wider. Make sure you ride him away from the jumps, when you are competing this can save a second a jump

I also think he's needs to 'open out' a little; when you are hacking/xc, how is his gallop stride? The best things for Tam were (a) learning to gallop properly - upsides his irish tb 'girlfriend' and (b) pairs xc - if only ginger horse wasn't several hundred miles away and broken he would have been brilliant as a pair for F.

When I first got ginger horse he would canter neatly round sj courses and all was fine till he got things wrong (I can't for the life of me see a stride and at that point he needed a deadly accurate rider ) and then he would lose all confidence and stop. Xc taught him to move forward, off my leg and take responsibility for himself a bit more, and was the making of him. He is a natural worrier, and you need to make him believe he is a tiger! When you get that 'locked on' feeling it's wonderful!

rhino, you're awesome He does lose momentum in flight and I haven't managed to identify that, let alone rectify it yet I completely agree about opening out - I wish you and Tam were nearby and he was fit as a fiddle - I suspect it could be very educational for both Fergs and me

Bless the ginger lad - he sounds so loveable. I don't think he's very tigery either - even if you did convince him he was one Far too sweet!

Honestly, Ferg's gallop is virtually non-existent - I can show you a clip which will probably make you laugh that this is as close as we get to a gallop