Green and green means black and blue

[Pippity]

So, my fat little cob has decided she wants to be a showjumper when she grows up.

I tried loose schooling her when there were jumps up in the arena, and she gleefully flew over them all while ignoring me. When I try to school her in the big, jump arena (which has a better surface when it's been raining), she spends her whole time trying to get to the jumps. Her arthritis and build (and my wimpiness) mean we're never going for vast heights, but vet has okayed a small amount of low jumping, so I'd like her to do something she clearly enjoys more than dressage!

As far as I know, she's never jumped under saddle. If she has, it would have been while hunting in Ireland. I've only ever jumped on a point-and-shoot pony in lessons, and the last time was about five years ago.

I'm guessing that the best way of approaching this would be for both of us to learn separately, partnered by experts, and then come back together once we've got the basics established?

If so, can anyone recommend a place near Warrington for me to learn?

 

[Penguin_Toes]

Cheshire Riding School | Horse Riding in CheshireCheshire Riding School | Ride in the heart of the Cheshire countryside

Maybe here? They have some nice horses and I had some good advanced lessons there, although the first lesson was the usual test to see if I could do what I said I could, so don't let that put you off.

 

[RachelFerd]

So, my fat little cob has decided she wants to be a showjumper when she grows up.

I tried loose schooling her when there were jumps up in the arena, and she gleefully flew over them all while ignoring me. When I try to school her in the big, jump arena (which has a better surface when it's been raining), she spends her whole time trying to get to the jumps. Her arthritis and build (and my wimpiness) mean we're never going for vast heights, but vet has okayed a small amount of low jumping, so I'd like her to do something she clearly enjoys more than dressage!

As far as I know, she's never jumped under saddle. If she has, it would have been while hunting in Ireland. I've only ever jumped on a point-and-shoot pony in lessons, and the last time was about five years ago.

I'm guessing that the best way of approaching this would be for both of us to learn separately, partnered by experts, and then come back together once we've got the basics established?

If so, can anyone recommend a place near Warrington for me to learn?

For you, it depends how far you're willing to travel. Ingestre is your best option, but it's 1hr15 away. I haven't been, but Cheshire Riding School as a good reputation. If you want to pop a few fences locally, John Shaw's has some decent jumping types but would not match the quality of instruction at Ingestre.

However, I'd start by getting someone to give your mare a pop. If she's not inclined to over jump and is fairly confident in and of herself, there's no reason why you shouldn't learn together.

 

[cauda equina]

The right saddle will help too, if you decide to go for it yourself

 

[Pippity]

The right saddle will help too, if you decide to go for it yourself

I refuse to buy a jump saddle before I've even taken her over a fence! I'll happily spend a fortune on this horse, but even I draw the line at that. She MIGHT get a jump saddle if we start doing it regularly, but otherwise we can both put up with our GP.

 

[Pippity]

For you, it depends how far you're willing to travel. Ingestre is your best option, but it's 1hr15 away. I haven't been, but Cheshire Riding School as a good reputation. If you want to pop a few fences locally, John Shaw's has some decent jumping types but would not match the quality of instruction at Ingestre.

However, I'd start by getting someone to give your mare a pop. If she's not inclined to over jump and is fairly confident in and of herself, there's no reason why you shouldn't learn together.

Thanks! I've asked a sensitive pro rider on my yard to take her over some jumps and see how she behaves, so we'll see how that goes.

 

[Pippity]

Although, speaking of being willing to spend a fortune... I assume she doesn't need any leg protection at this point, especially with being barefoot?

 

[RachelFerd]

Although, speaking of being willing to spend a fortune... I assume she doesn't need any leg protection at this point, especially with being barefoot?

No - I don't put boots on unless I've got studs in competing on grass.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I refuse to buy a jump saddle before I've even taken her over a fence! I'll happily spend a fortune on this horse, but even I draw the line at that. She MIGHT get a jump saddle if we start doing it regularly, but otherwise we can both put up with our GP.

I jump happily in both my whp show saddle and my GP saddle, GP is fine with pedals up a little, for anything I do (60 to 80) x

 

[Peglo]

I started jumping mine this year and didn’t bother with boots as we were just doing low jumps. I have boots now ready for if we go higher.

 

[Red-1]

I would be happy barefoot without boots. I would also be happy with a GP up to around 3'. TBH, in my youth I jumped huge fences in a GP (open team chase), but I don't recollect seeing a jump saddle so I guess what you don't know, you don't miss . ?

Hope the pro rider finds her fabulous!

 

[Cortez]

If your horse came from Ireland, and was broken there I can 99% guarantee you that she jumped in some form or other.

 

[Pippity]

If your horse came from Ireland, and was broken there I can 99% guarantee you that she jumped in some form or other.

Attempts at jumping once she was mine usually involved her stopping dead, carefully kicking the poles down, then stepping over them. However, that was before her PSSM was identified and treated, and her athleticism has definitely improved since then!

 

[MagicMelon]

Are you brave enough to do it yourself? Id probably start by lungeing / free schooling the pony over some jumps to see what she does. Then just start under saddle really basic like going over one pole on the ground, then trotting poles, building up to a tiny x-pole and just keep going from there?

 

[Pippity]

Are you brave enough to do it yourself? Id probably start by lungeing / free schooling the pony over some jumps to see what she does. Then just start under saddle really basic like going over one pole on the ground, then trotting poles, building up to a tiny x-pole and just keep going from there?

Free schooling, she takes them long, low and fast. If she does that under saddle, I know myself well enough to know I'll be terrified and keep trying to slow her down. I'll also be unbalanced, and probably make it an unpleasant experience for her.

She's absolutely fine with trotting poles. We regularly do little 'courses' of them because it's something she loves. (Three trotting poles set between jump wings. She tends to haul me towards the jumps anyway, so this is a way of using that!)