How do you know when a horse is ready to jump higher things?!

[kit279]

I jumped my grey horse this morning - always a pleasure as he loves his work and gives a great feel over a fence. We just kept jumping 2-3 jumps (not as a grid) and put the height up gradually but when I was finished I was a bit startled to discover they were 1.20m... Which is by far the biggest I've ever jumped and he made it feel easy, didn't back off or get upset and still cleared them nicely. I was wondering if it is worth going up to Newcomers. He can jump clear round a BSJA Discovery course with no problems and went double clear at his first pre-novice last month (not with me riding him though).

My only concern is that I get a bit het up about the height of the fences (but that's my problem and I'll just have to cope with that) but also that it is a big ask to jump a course of 12-14 jumps at that height. He's fit and scopey but I don't want to spoil his confidence by asking him to go up a level before he's ready. Am I right in thinking that most horses can jump quite high if it's one or two fences but would struggle with a course? How do you know when your horse is ready to go up a level?

 

[dixie]

If you are jumping double clears in Discovery then you are ready to move up. However, its much more difficult to jump a course than one or two fences, so you should practice that at home. Also, are there any 1.05m classes near you as I found them a useful stepping stone before Newcomers.

If you are jumping Discovery jump offs well then this would be the same height as Newcomers first round.

 

[SillyMare]

Try to get to Keysoe on a Wednesday - it is usually really quiet and they do the halfway classes so there will be a 105 between the Disco and the Newcomers.

Not usually much difference between the Disco jump off and the 105 class though.

 

[MagicMelon]

As you say, popping a 1.20m fence or two isnt at all like jumping a course of that height. If your horse is happily jumping clears discovery though Id say move him up to a 1.05m open then once doing double clears round that easily move up to newcomers. I think the issue is if YOU are ready as you mention that you get het up about the fence height. So go slowly and see how you are riding the courses, you'll soon know if you're confidence is on track as you'll still be popping clears

Yes, Id say almost any horse (and many ponies for that matter) can jump one or two 1.20m size fences easily, its the BSJA widths that some struggle with though and the striding etc. A horse who's struggling will soon show it.