How to know if your horse has reached it's jumping limit?

[katiieking]

Okay! So this has always baffled me with some horses and others not so much!

For example, I had a mare that once we were jumping her 1m you could just tell that she had hit her jumping limit! We did do a few 1.10's a home but she was just about making it, and so we jumped 1m and never higher!

However, my current mare (16.2 10yr old) is currently jumping around 1m & 1.10m and never touches a pole. We bought her as a horse to give me some confidence, and jump 80's & 90's, turned out she was alot more capable than her previous owners believed. She has a superb jump, and is super neat with her front feet!

We were competing on Saturday at 1.10 SJI and someone passed a comment that she could easily do the 1.20m. I would love to move her up the level, as our last 4 1.10m she has been double clear and isn't struggling!

My issue is this though; how do I know she is comfortable jumping 1.20, rather than she just doesn't want to dissapoint (she always gives 110%)? If that makes sense?

She jumps 1.20's at home (2 or 3 fences) and does that great, but I know theres a massive difference in that and a course!


Tips or tricks of the trade for knowing how high to push her?
Or any advice on knowing what she is actually capable of?

This is her at 1.10m!

 

[RCP Equestrian]

You'll never know until you try

If she is jumping double clears consistantly at 1.10m then personally I would start moving her up, as long as you're ready to move up too?

Build a decent sized (BS standard) 1.20 course at home where theres no pressure and see how she goes, I'd also do that a few times before entering at a show, you're right in saying a 1.20 course is a different ball game to a 1.10

If she struggles or starts to stop etc then don't worry, just pop her back down to 1.10 where she is comfortable, you could even jump some 1.15s first so the jump off will be up to 1.20 and see how she feels?

Its nice to see she has exceeded your expectations, love a little diamond in the rough!

Good luck with her, she looks lovely and she seems to love her job!

 

[only_me]

You should give it a go the meadows build good courses and nothing stopping you from jumping the 1.10 and then the 1.20!

What about hiring the arena and put it up to 1.20 so no pressure?

 

[little_flea]

Try a 1.15 perhaps - (though avoid members cup A10's, they get big) - if you're fine around that its just another hole up to a Fox. Picking the right venue is important though - a 1.10/NC at places like Addington and Arena UK are like a Foxhunter anywhere else, so defo best to make the step up where they build friendly.

 

[Kelpie]

I ask myself this a lot as I have a little guy who is 15.1hh on his tip toes and we do BE100/ the BE100 plus's but I've stopped short of trying a novice xc track with him as I think that would be the top of his scope and IMHO it's not really safe to jump XC right at the top of your scope as there is then no scope left to get you out of trouble if you need it.

I'm not sure you'd know from watching my little guy is as he generally always jumps with just enough clearance - no more no less - whether he's doing 80cm or 110cm's. He's just very economical. The best advice I got, though, was to think about how often he has to "dig deep" to get over a jump, and if you're digging deep too often at a particular height then that's probably where the limit is.

Your horse sounds like mine - he'd try for you but you of course don't want to put your horse in jeopardy by asking too much. In that case, particularly for SJ rather than XC, just keep trying the bigger stuff and you'll know when your horse has to dig a little too deep for you and that's were to stop. For now, from what you've said you sound like you're not hitting that limit at all.

 

[katiieking]

Thank you guys! Definately think I could push her up a wee bit, and definately like the idea of trying a 1.15m first! Fingers crossed we have a super star in the yard!

 

[SpottedCat]

Surely the jump offs are already 1.15-1.20 for a 1.10 class? So you know if she is jumping DC that she can manage that!

Personally, I'd just hire a course with my trainer and see - but then I wouldn't have been competing 1.10 without jumping courses during training at 1.15-1.20 anyway

 

[katiieking]

Surely the jump offs are already 1.15-1.20 for a 1.10 class? So you know if she is jumping DC that she can manage that!

Personally, I'd just hire a course with my trainer and see - but then I wouldn't have been competing 1.10 without jumping courses during training at 1.15-1.20 anyway

Unfortunately I don't actually have a trainer I've had to get by the last two years with the odd word of advice from fellow SJI riders and an odd pony club instructor!

We have jumped 1.30m fences on their own at high jump classes, but one fence means very little We did a 1.15m jump off last year, and she had a pole (but didn't struggle) however I just have a fear that if I push that last step to 1.20m we may come across issues (possibly all in my head though!)

But will definately get an arena for hire and see how we go!