Horse jumping ages?

H

hroes

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I'm hoping to buy a 3 and a half year old to bring on to show jump at maybe BSJA but I'm confused at when to start jumping and how high to jump? It's my only worry with starting a youngster atm. The BSJA criteria for some selection (not sure what it is) is about 3'3 for 4 year old but some people don't start jumping until their horses are 6 or 7 and say that's way to much. He's a lightweight sports horse TBxOldenburg and some arab bloodlines. Really well bred and very sensible, I don't want to push him to fast to far but I don't want to not do enough to get him to a high level.
 
You can jump him from Jan 2015 (if he is a 2011 baby) as a 4 year old in any class, you don't have to do ages classes, I think the lowest BS do now is 70cm?
I tend to jump mine round BN/Disc then come the summer they do the age classes if they are ready.

I don't think it is easy to just 'say' what your 4 year old will do, it depends on his attitude, trainability, confidence, so many things will come into play. If you are going to get him, I would make sure he is happy at home jumping and then start thinking about taking him to BS, and keep it low to keep his confidence.
 
I personally have jumped mine [loose] 2/3 times? thats literally a pole and done....shes same age - 3.5 has been backed

I will start letting her jump next year when shes 4.5 :]

I dont see any harm in low tracks - each to their own - but i think 4 is a good age to start them jumping
 
Thanks, he's really intelligent and very relaxed about everything he's done so far (backing, lunging, ect.) and he looks mature for his age so I think he's grown quite well. I'll just see how he is free jumping before I think about buying him and go from there, I'll just make sure he's happy and confident in what I'm asking hopefully it goes well:)
 
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