First showjumping attempt - what do i need to know?

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Loubees

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I want to give my boy an attempt at a jumping competition but I have no idea what to do!

At least at dressage I learn a test know my time and go in and compete!

Just looking for tips and clarification,

Ive looked on the venues website but they just tell me the schedule and prices, they offer "ring side assistance" does that mean someone will shout what jump I should be doing next?

How easy does a course normally flow?

I note most of them say you do 7 jumps if your clear you carry on doing the rest of the course? do you stop and wait for acknowledgement or just jump the whole course?

You get to walk the course before? any tips on remembering the course?

Im so scared but really want to give it a go!
 
Hello Loubees.

If you arrive before the class starts you do get to walk the course. It is possible to learn it just from watching others - but not a good way to start. Everyone works out their own best way to remember a course and mostly they do flow in an expected pattern. But if you haven't done much jumping before any pattern will be new to you. Walk the course exactly as you would ride it. Then try to remember where you went. If you forget the sequence (many people remember the jump colours which can help) then go back and walk again. But be quick - you only get about 15 mins. You can also watch a few before you jump to check your recall.

Ringside assistance usually means someone who will stand there and help - shout which fence to go for next and general encouragement / instruction. This is only permitted at the lowest levels. If it is allowed you can usually bring your own instructor for this if you want.

After the first 7 jumps if you are clear there is no interruption - go straight on. If you have faults they will sound the bell and you can stop. Just be aware some places let you go on to do the whole course even if you have faults. The second section is timed.

And have fun!
 
Great thank you!!!

I just hate being unprepared and it feels so unprepared just turning up and jumping!!

It will be just a local low level unaffiliated attempted nothing serious! just to get a feel for it see if I can cope with the pressure. Just now need to decide on what height?

Is it right you go down or two to what you jump at home?

and clear round, is that just cross poles, and it is as it is you jump a course and its just about clearing not time?

Sorry if I sound stupid I am a total novice on the jumping front! the girls and my instructor try and explain it but they do it al the time so its second nature to them!
 
Clear round isn't always cross poles but is usually small inviting fences (fillers to the side etc.) Yes, you jump the whole course of numbered fences.

Can you go with your friends to watch them compete? Or even just go to a local unaff SJ and watch for the morning? You could walk the course and watch how people ride it, see how people ride in the warm up (jump practice fences with the red flag to the right etc), see how the centre runs their jump off... Might give you a bit more confidence :)

Good luck!
 
Echo the advice to go and watch. I jump only v low level but always try to recce a competition at a new venue before I go to jump it - good luck!!
 
I'm so glad you asked this question! Despite watching many jumping comps in the past, I'm considering going ua show jumping on Saturday for the first time actually riding and realised I don't really have a clue what to do. 😂

I'm the same as you op, I have to feel like I know what's coming and be fully prepared.

Good luck!
 
Clear rounds are usually set to whatever height you want and are not competitive. Depends on the venue but it will say in the schedule.

First thing to do is walk the course. You want to walk it as often as you need to to get it in your head. Once you've done a few you'll start to work out there's (usually!) a pattern and you can usually anticipate which way you've got to go after each fence to find the next one. When you walk the course focus on the line you need to take to get straight for the middle of each fence. Walk the actual turns you will take. Personally I wouldn't worry about trying to work out any striding just concentrate on getting a good canter and looking for the next jump as you go over the current one. Don't look at the fence - look where you want to go. Simples eh :o

It depends on the competition whether you continue on to the jump off or not.
 
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