flutterby321
Well-Known Member
Faced with a bit of a decision at the moment. I've had my lovely pony for nearly 2 years now, and although he hacks like a saint, totally lovely on the ground, does a really nice dressage test, we've had some problems jumping. He was fine for about the first 4 months of me owning him, but it's gone a bit down hill. He started napping like mad showjumping and cross country, and nothing I could do would persuade him to leave the gate/start line.
Had back/teeth/tack checked. He'd jump happily at home but in a competition ring he'd just throw a tantrum, planting his feet. As a result I have been eliminated soooo many times, but the few times when he'd behave himself he'd jump a lovely clear, so that kept me going.
This year I went right back to basics, no jumping for a while and focused mainly on dressage, had such an amazing spring/summer, he really was a star, the dressage brought our jumping on masses and we were going clear again. Did lots of xc schooling just riding away from the start, and I thought we'd got this problem sorted.
Went to pony club camp this year, he jumped beautifully all week, but on the last day started napping cross country, and performed his usual trick in the competition, although he left the start nicely, he refused to move when we doubled back round and had to jump past the start once more. I don't understand why he naps, he hacks out by himself absolutely fine, but as soon as he gets in the start box and hears the steward counting down he starts shaking like mad and trying to back up. Could he be scared, or just taking the mick??
Had a bit of a boost after camp when he showjumped clear at an area championship and got round our first cross country course clear!
But then it all just ground to a halt again, more napping and refusing to leave the gate :/ We kept going and I've since got through to the no-longer being eliminated phase, but we can't get around a single show-jumping course without at least one stop. He's not overjumped, no physical problems, he just seems to hate it. So I'm now feeling guilty for pushing him to do something he doesn't appear to enjoy 
I'm heading off to sixth form next year, and the college i've applied to has long hours, so I'll have alot less time to ride. I was planning on keeping him in light work for hacking and maybe local competitions in low-level dressage, and kissing the whole jumping dream goodbye. I can't help but feel disapointed though as I've always wanted to jump on the pony club teams, and whilst I love my pony for the invaluable experience he's given me in the dressage arena,he was originally bought to compete in one day events and showjumping.
HOWEVER! Several people, including my instructor, have suggested I compete him in dressage this winter and try to qualify for dengie, then sell him in the spring as a dressage pony, before moving on to a larger horse to try my hand at more jumping. I can't help feel this is a bit of a waste, I still have a lot to learn from him dressage wise, and would there be any point in buying a competition horse due to the lack of time I'll have in the future?? Also, am I giving up on my pony too easily? Should I keep going??
Very sorry for this enormous post but I'm extremely confused, has anyone else been in a similar situation? What would you do if you were in my position?
Hot chocolate fudge cake for anyone who managed to wade through that massive ramble
Had back/teeth/tack checked. He'd jump happily at home but in a competition ring he'd just throw a tantrum, planting his feet. As a result I have been eliminated soooo many times, but the few times when he'd behave himself he'd jump a lovely clear, so that kept me going.
This year I went right back to basics, no jumping for a while and focused mainly on dressage, had such an amazing spring/summer, he really was a star, the dressage brought our jumping on masses and we were going clear again. Did lots of xc schooling just riding away from the start, and I thought we'd got this problem sorted.
Went to pony club camp this year, he jumped beautifully all week, but on the last day started napping cross country, and performed his usual trick in the competition, although he left the start nicely, he refused to move when we doubled back round and had to jump past the start once more. I don't understand why he naps, he hacks out by himself absolutely fine, but as soon as he gets in the start box and hears the steward counting down he starts shaking like mad and trying to back up. Could he be scared, or just taking the mick??
Had a bit of a boost after camp when he showjumped clear at an area championship and got round our first cross country course clear!
But then it all just ground to a halt again, more napping and refusing to leave the gate :/ We kept going and I've since got through to the no-longer being eliminated phase, but we can't get around a single show-jumping course without at least one stop. He's not overjumped, no physical problems, he just seems to hate it. So I'm now feeling guilty for pushing him to do something he doesn't appear to enjoy I'm heading off to sixth form next year, and the college i've applied to has long hours, so I'll have alot less time to ride. I was planning on keeping him in light work for hacking and maybe local competitions in low-level dressage, and kissing the whole jumping dream goodbye. I can't help but feel disapointed though as I've always wanted to jump on the pony club teams, and whilst I love my pony for the invaluable experience he's given me in the dressage arena,he was originally bought to compete in one day events and showjumping.
HOWEVER! Several people, including my instructor, have suggested I compete him in dressage this winter and try to qualify for dengie, then sell him in the spring as a dressage pony, before moving on to a larger horse to try my hand at more jumping. I can't help feel this is a bit of a waste, I still have a lot to learn from him dressage wise, and would there be any point in buying a competition horse due to the lack of time I'll have in the future?? Also, am I giving up on my pony too easily? Should I keep going??
Very sorry for this enormous post but I'm extremely confused, has anyone else been in a similar situation? What would you do if you were in my position?
Hot chocolate fudge cake for anyone who managed to wade through that massive ramble
