Jumping confidence advice please

BenvardenRach2

BenvardenRach2

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Hi All,

So last weekend I had a really great jumping session on my lad - we have been focusing solely on flat work for over 6 months to help with his balance and to stop him propelling into exended trot & canter everywhere like a loony! He feels so great, his flat work is so nice and controlled now i feel that we are in harmony and he is really listening to me and anticipating whats to come.

It's been years since I have jumped properly, I used to compete regularly and jump 1m10 courses, 1m20 for fun (not on Rocky). Now that I'm older and a tad more sensible :D I have really lost my confidence when it comes to jumping. Rocky loves his jumping but has ducked out many a times with me a couple of years ago when we used to jump pretty regularly - resulting in me flying off :eek: he felt a million times better on the weekend - I think he is feeling more confident and trusting in me now that he is more balanced and collected into fences rather than us both closing our eyes and hoping to make it over to the other side!!

I am defo going to look into getting some show jump lessons however I was wondering if you guys/gals had any advice/exercises to get my confidence back and have some fun :) I understand that I am not at a total low confidence wise as I'll happily pop 75cm but anything higher - my stomach starts to churn..


p.s below are a couple of pics from sunday :cool:

Think this one was about 90 cm ... safe to say it looked a lot bigger riding up to it and I very nearly pooped myself and pulled him up
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I could have written this post! Although when I started jumping again a couple of months ago I was only comfortable 50-60cm and even that made me panic if I was on the wrong stride lol

Anyway - a good, calm and encouraging coach, practise and will and I am now enjoying jumping again.

Tips from me would be to use grids to help with accuracy, striding and give confidence over bigger jumps. Jump often, even if it's only a couple of practise fences. When jumping courses, set most of the fences at your comfortable height with a couple 10cm higher. Over time add in more at the higher height until that is your new comfort zone and then build a couple 10cm higher, repeat.

Concentrate on rhythm and technique, this takes your mind off the nerves.
 
Wheels said:
I could have written this post! Although when I started jumping again a couple of months ago I was only comfortable 50-60cm and even that made me panic if I was on the wrong stride lol

Anyway - a good, calm and encouraging coach, practise and will and I am now enjoying jumping again.

Tips from me would be to use grids to help with accuracy, striding and give confidence over bigger jumps. Jump often, even if it's only a couple of practise fences. When jumping courses, set most of the fences at your comfortable height with a couple 10cm higher. Over time add in more at the higher height until that is your new comfort zone and then build a couple 10cm higher, repeat.

Concentrate on rhythm and technique, this takes your mind off the nerves.
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Thank you wheels that's really good advice! Glad you've got your confidence back :D
We did a double with 3 strides in between, really liked this!

Thank you so much!
 
It's working for me so far - my comfortable height is now 75cm with a couple of jumps set at 80-85cm. Will be doing our first jumping comp on Sunday- the 60cm and 70cm derby classes.

I'm hoping to be doing the 80cm and 90cm classes by the end of the summer :)
 
That's good to read wheels as I've been having issues with my jumping confidence too. OP - I'm not happy yet at 75cms so you are already at my goal level!

It surprised me how easily I lost my confidence and how long it's taking to get it back tbh. I'm hoping to copy wheels as I'm back down to 50/60 now and aiming to get to 70/75 where I used to be fine. And then if all works out, 80 ish so I can do my BE 80 (if I ever do it!).

Good luck OP and let us know how you get on!

ETA - got my first 1:1 confidence coaching session this evening too to try and train my brain.
 
Wheels said:
It's working for me so far - my comfortable height is now 75cm with a couple of jumps set at 80-85cm. Will be doing our first jumping comp on Sunday- the 60cm and 70cm derby classes.

I'm hoping to be doing the 80cm and 90cm classes by the end of the summer :)
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Best of luck for your jumping competition - please let me know how you get on :)
Sounds like your training is going really well so I'm sure you will hit your target of 90cm classes x
 
Bernster said:
That's good to read wheels as I've been having issues with my jumping confidence too. OP - I'm not happy yet at 75cms so you are already at my goal level!

It surprised me how easily I lost my confidence and how long it's taking to get it back tbh. I'm hoping to copy wheels as I'm back down to 50/60 now and aiming to get to 70/75 where I used to be fine. And then if all works out, 80 ish so I can do my BE 80 (if I ever do it!).

Good luck OP and let us know how you get on!

ETA - got my first 1:1 confidence coaching session this evening too to try and train my brain.
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Thank you Bernster, I understand I am at a higher height than some people at 75cm however it's quite a difference from 1m20!:(
Totally agree with you there, I didn't realize I'd lost it until a couple of weeks back and I jumped for the first time in years and my legs didn't stop shaking for half an hour after jumping a small cross pole haha!
Best of luck, really hope you find your confidence again and get get back upto 80cm!

Thank you :)
 
I think the key points are;

A) Get a really good encouraging instructor, who will help you improve your horses ride-ability to a fence. If you have this you will feel like you can tackle anything!

B) Don't push yourself. If your happy jumping 75cm, but the thought of jumping 80cm terrifies you, keep going with the 75cm until you can do it with your eyes closed. I did a confidence boosting clinic with a chap called John Pitts a few years ago, and this was the key thing I took away from it. Don't move up a level until you are 100% confident. It doesn't take much to knock your or your horses confidence, so don't push it.

C) On the back of B, don't rush anything.

I love jumping, but the idea of jumping of 80/90cm at one point for me was incredibility daunting. I have since had my jump instructor who is fab, and now I am jumping 1.15/1.20cm at home. All down to him, because the ride-ability of my horse has improved, and jumping 1.10 to 90 isn't any different in how I ride to it.
 
Wheels said:
Ooh that's interesting, who are you doing that with and is it face to face or Skype or some such?
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Flying Changes Coaching, with Jenni Winter. Met her through the wobbleberry challenge (which has turned out to be a fantastic equine community). Telephone sessions, already had a couple of lightbulb moments, just need to work on those and put it into practice.

BethanT - those are great tips and very encouraging!
 
BethanT said:
I think the key points are;

A) Get a really good encouraging instructor, who will help you improve your horses ride-ability to a fence. If you have this you will feel like you can tackle anything!

B) Don't push yourself. If your happy jumping 75cm, but the thought of jumping 80cm terrifies you, keep going with the 75cm until you can do it with your eyes closed. I did a confidence boosting clinic with a chap called John Pitts a few years ago, and this was the key thing I took away from it. Don't move up a level until you are 100% confident. It doesn't take much to knock your or your horses confidence, so don't push it.

C) On the back of B, don't rush anything.

I love jumping, but the idea of jumping of 80/90cm at one point for me was incredibility daunting. I have since had my jump instructor who is fab, and now I am jumping 1.15/1.20cm at home. All down to him, because the ride-ability of my horse has improved, and jumping 1.10 to 90 isn't any different in how I ride to it.
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Thank you so much Bethan T for your advice, makes perfect sense... simple and straight to the point! Well done on getting your confidence back and jumping the higher fences :)
 
My best piece of advice is to just jump regularly. At least once per week if you can, even if just one at the end of a flat session. Make it a very normal thing to do, so it becomes less scary each time. Doing this also normalises the height, so you can creep them up each time and you will barely notice.

I really notice if I've not jumped in a couple of weeks as the old feelings of terror and nausea creep back in, even if it's small. If I keep to my weekly jump, this doesn't seem to happen.

It's already been said, but don't push yourself too far and scare yourself. Stick with what you're comfortable with. There should be no rush, take your time and put the jumps up in small increments. A larger jump at the end of a grid is always good, though!
 
Embo said:
My best piece of advice is to just jump regularly. At least once per week if you can, even if just one at the end of a flat session. Make it a very normal thing to do, so it becomes less scary each time. Doing this also normalises the height, so you can creep them up each time and you will barely notice.

I really notice if I've not jumped in a couple of weeks as the old feelings of terror and nausea creep back in, even if it's small. If I keep to my weekly jump, this doesn't seem to happen.

It's already been said, but don't push yourself too far and scare yourself. Stick with what you're comfortable with. There should be no rush, take your time and put the jumps up in small increments. A larger jump at the end of a grid is always good, though!
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Thank you Embo another piece of great advice, I am definitely going to do this! :D Also Rocky wont think it's Christmas day every time he sees a jump out! Like i said its very early days for us getting back into our jumping i've only jumped him on 2 separate occasions over the last month and I havent jumped properly for a couple of years.. I've had to psych myself up to set up a couple of jumps so incorporating them into the occasional 'normal' schooling session will really help!

Thank you!!
 
Bernster said:
Flying Changes Coaching, with Jenni Winter. Met her through the wobbleberry challenge (which has turned out to be a fantastic equine community). Telephone sessions, already had a couple of lightbulb moments, just need to work on those and put it into practice.

BethanT - those are great tips and very encouraging!
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Oh wow Bernster that's interesting, do you think it's helped you?
I'm looking into the wobbleberry challenge myself - looks like a great community to join and for a great cause!!
 
BenvardenRach2 said:
Oh wow Bernster that's interesting, do you think it's helped you?
I'm looking into the wobbleberry challenge myself - looks like a great community to join and for a great cause!!
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It's been lovely being a part of it. Obv there is the element of raising money and awareness and challenging myself but the added benefit of it has been the lovely people I've met and the clinics and stuff I've done with them. It's given me something to aim and train for, and has spurred me to tackle my riding confidence and our training needs. I do have some ideas already for how to deal with my nerves, and better understand what's going on in my head. Early days but I will report back on progress!

If you're at 75 now I think you would make the step to BE80 comfortably.

PS Embo's point about doing it often is very pertinent and something I really need to work on.
 
Thought I would update - we went to our first jumping comp today - we have had a few confidence giving lessons and XC schooling sessions but I was still nervous this morning and walking the course.

We had a very sweet first round in the 60cm and went clear, it was a wee bit lacking impulsion so I picked him up a bit for the jump off and was riding much more forward, he jumped a lot better so that's a learning point for me.

Then we had one down in the 70cm which was my fault as I got him in too deep but all in all a good outing and I actually enjoyed it lol

Now I need to just get out and practise more
 
Wheels said:
Thought I would update - we went to our first jumping comp today - we have had a few confidence giving lessons and XC schooling sessions but I was still nervous this morning and walking the course.

We had a very sweet first round in the 60cm and went clear, it was a wee bit lacking impulsion so I picked him up a bit for the jump off and was riding much more forward, he jumped a lot better so that's a learning point for me.

Then we had one down in the 70cm which was my fault as I got him in too deep but all in all a good outing and I actually enjoyed it lol

Now I need to just get out and practise more
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That's fabulous well done you!!:D Sounds like your horse gave you a good ride, and you both enjoyed! Do you have any pictures to share?! (-:
Update from me - I jumped a 60cm course the other day at our yard with a mixture of fences x poles, straights, spreads,doubles. I was nervous the first time round but my horse was fabulous and was absolutely loving it he flew around the course with me. I soon settled down and enjoyed it :)
I bought a trailer on saturday..eeek no excuses now!! Looking at getting out too a few venues in June!
We also had a 'photoshoot' yesterday with my friend who does photography in her spare time.. some pics below :D :D

All in all a brilliant weekend in the sun, hope it was sunny for you too!

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Lovely pics - I don't have any from yesterday but hoping pro pics will be up soon and I'll share them.
 
couple of pics from the weekend - think this is the 60cm class - I'm obviously concentrating hard and M looks bored lol

If you're wondering why I'm all in Casual dress and not show gear - it was a show in aid of Action Mental Health so they asked everyone to wear purple and there just happens to be a purple overcheck on my breeches!

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Love it wheels - you are demonstrating the technique that I am mastering, of looking anywhere but at the fence :-) It's the only thing that stops me from flapping like a chicken, doing a massive pony club kick, and interfering with his canter ! Although you seem to be missing the sticky out elbows and face of horror that I am still exhibiting haha.

My horse also closes his eyes over a fence !
 
Lol I'm sure it's not quite as bad as that bernster!

That was the only pic of him with closed eyes, I thought it was cute
 
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