Jumping confidence - stepping up to the mark?

[ApolloStorm]

Wanted to pick some brains..

My confidence jumping my lad is absolutely zero. He is a Welsh Sec D and is scopey, enthusiastic, but also a complete prat sometimes!
About 2 years ago we had a good summer where we evented for the first time (only UA 60cm, but still!) we completed a camp and had a massive confidence boost - started SJ at 70cm.
One thing lead to another, had a bad fall out hunting and another silly one in quick succession. My life got busy and I didn’t make as much time for riding as I should’ve done. I’ve taken it slow getting back on. And broadly am preferring to hack these days as the school has a lot of poor memories for me!
My sharer has jumped him, and had an epic time. It’s made me miss it. Especially when I first got him and was much more confident and would point him at pretty much anything!

Anyway - I feel like he is more horse than I can really cope with at the moment. And I am trying to “step up”
Attending the gym and doing Pilates to get stronger.
Im planning to start some lessons soon and get an air jacket, which hopefully will give me some confidence.

Some days I wonder if it’s all completely pointless and I should sack off the dream and get something sensible and straightforward (if less talented!)
I couldn’t possibly sell, he is quirky at the best of times and with the wrong management would unravel quickly!
But to get something along side that’s maybe a bit more easy to ride!


Any suggestions for a confidence boost when 30 is looming and I don’t bounce anymore!

 

[Exasperated]

Wanted to pick some brains..

My confidence jumping my lad is absolutely zero. He is a Welsh Sec D and is scopey, enthusiastic, but also a complete prat sometimes!
About 2 years ago we had a good summer where we evented for the first time (only UA 60cm, but still!) we completed a camp and had a massive confidence boost - started SJ at 70cm.
One thing lead to another, had a bad fall out hunting and another silly one in quick succession. My life got busy and I didn’t make as much time for riding as I should’ve done. I’ve taken it slow getting back on. And broadly am preferring to hack these days as the school has a lot of poor memories for me!
My sharer has jumped him, and had an epic time. It’s made me miss it. Especially when I first got him and was much more confident and would point him at pretty much anything!

Anyway - I feel like he is more horse than I can really cope with at the moment. And I am trying to “step up”
Attending the gym and doing Pilates to get stronger.
Im planning to start some lessons soon and get an air jacket, which hopefully will give me some confidence.

Some days I wonder if it’s all completely pointless and I should sack off the dream and get something sensible and straightforward (if less talented!)
I couldn’t possibly sell, he is quirky at the best of times and with the wrong management would unravel quickly!
But to get something along side that’s maybe a bit more easy to ride!


Any suggestions for a confidence boost when 30 is looming and I don’t bounce anymore!

? First world problems?
Since you can afford to run two, buy a genuine confidence giver to practise your jumping (if that really is your dream), while sharer keeps your Sec D on side and under the same management. Sorted.

 

[ApolloStorm]

?rude?
Isn’t everything on this forum a “first world problem”

Running two while possible puts me much closer to the red than I am really comfortable with. Never-mind the purchase price of a such a horse.
And the other side is that when I have a perfectly good & capable, albeit quirky horse, it seems silly to get something else when I could just try and get my confidence on him..

Which actually was the basis of my entire post if anyone had any tips or ideas to try… rather than being sandblasted for asking!

 

[HaplessHorse]

My Welsh sec D completely trashed my confidence, I’m only just starting to regain it with Erin, who is my ‘safe’ cob. I emphasise that they can be a lot, definitely not a breed I’ll ever buy again, they’re great for some, just not for me.

I’d say perhaps get a groundwork/NH trainer who could help by working with you and him from the ground up. Maybe consider a share with a sensible one who can help you regain your confidence, so you’re not buying an entire extra horse, but you do have that option in the short-term to step back. I think the fact that you’re missing it is probably a good sign.

Perhaps popping a small jump on the way back from a nice, long hack that’s gone well could also give you a little confidence boost?

 

[Traks]

Why don’t you both have some lessons or send him on schooling livery? My friend did that as her D was becoming a bit of a handful and she lost her confidence totally. The guys schooling him gave him a bit of a boot camp then suggested lessons on him there and it made a massive difference to their partnership. She kept him for another 4 years before family life etc got in the way.

 

[Reacher]

?rude?
Isn’t everything on this forum a “first world problem”

Running two while possible puts me much closer to the red than I am really comfortable with. Never-mind the purchase price of a such a horse.
And the other side is that when I have a perfectly good & capable, albeit quirky horse, it seems silly to get something else when I could just try and get my confidence on him..

Which actually was the basis of my entire post if anyone had any tips or ideas to try… rather than being sandblasted for asking!

Don’t worry, some posters have the tact of a rampaging rhino and are best put on UI.

I can sympathise as I have an older welsh d who enjoys jumping so much the brakes fail. I would suggest finding a good (encouraging) instructor and breaking it down into baby steps until you have your confidence back. And if necessary have them ride your horse also where you are having issues.

(I wish 30 was still looming for me however!!)

 

[palo1]

Wanted to pick some brains..

My confidence jumping my lad is absolutely zero. He is a Welsh Sec D and is scopey, enthusiastic, but also a complete prat sometimes!
About 2 years ago we had a good summer where we evented for the first time (only UA 60cm, but still!) we completed a camp and had a massive confidence boost - started SJ at 70cm.
One thing lead to another, had a bad fall out hunting and another silly one in quick succession. My life got busy and I didn’t make as much time for riding as I should’ve done. I’ve taken it slow getting back on. And broadly am preferring to hack these days as the school has a lot of poor memories for me!
My sharer has jumped him, and had an epic time. It’s made me miss it. Especially when I first got him and was much more confident and would point him at pretty much anything!

Anyway - I feel like he is more horse than I can really cope with at the moment. And I am trying to “step up”
Attending the gym and doing Pilates to get stronger.
Im planning to start some lessons soon and get an air jacket, which hopefully will give me some confidence.

Some days I wonder if it’s all completely pointless and I should sack off the dream and get something sensible and straightforward (if less talented!)
I couldn’t possibly sell, he is quirky at the best of times and with the wrong management would unravel quickly!
But to get something along side that’s maybe a bit more easy to ride!


Any suggestions for a confidence boost when 30 is looming and I don’t bounce anymore!

My Welsh D can be 'alarming' to jump and I also lost some confidence with her. I had several falls and tried to just ignore some issues - I knew that I couldn't quite do what was needed but I didn't know how to put it right. Similarly, I missed the fun of jumping her. I went back to basics completely until she and I were really communicating effectively, she was genuinely listening to me - rather than making all the decisions hahaha, and I did loads of training physically and with a good trainer.

It has made the world of difference. I was really enjoying jumping when hunting last year and I was confidently making and jumping little xx courses of 80cm+ at home. Then she got injured so now we are back to square 1 But early signs of my regained confidence are encouraging and I will just quietly build back up again. My lovely mare has more scope than I will ever need but she also needs me to have clarity, confidence and not to ride like a terrified wet flannel which, after several falls and quite a lot of Welsh type daftness on her part, I was.

Start with poles on the ground, go at your pace and get a trainer who understands where you are at right now and who really wants to help.

 

[Red-1]

? First world problems?
Since you can afford to run two, buy a genuine confidence giver to practise your jumping (if that really is your dream), while sharer keeps your Sec D on side and under the same management. Sorted.

Maybe that came across as ruder than you intended?

Other than that, a second is not a bad idea. I lost it when mum was ill and I could not afford to be injured as she needed me as her only POA. I sold up and bought Rigsby cob who had me back into it no issues. Only 1 year later I bought a 4yo, unseen other then video, from Ireland LOL.

It needn't be for long.

That said, Rigs is now here to stay, 6 years on, and I run two.

Maybe the sharer could contribute financially?

 

[Exasperated]

Maybe that came across as ruder than you intended?

Other than that, a second is not a bad idea. I lost it when mum was ill and I could not afford to be injured as she needed me as her only POA. I sold up and bought Rigsby cob who had me back into it no issues. Only 1 year later I bought a 4yo, unseen other then video, from Ireland LOL.

It needn't be for long.

That said, Rigs is now here to stay, 6 years on, and I run two.

Maybe the sharer could contribute financially?

Not intended as rude at all - just seems an obvious solution, given that OP is apparently considering having another (easier) horse alongside, and feels the Sec D is too much for her current confidence and level of physical fitness - but doesn’t want to risk him going anywhere else.

Most people would be delighted to have a really competent sharer to look after the Welsh, and since OP will apparently be having lessons and getting fitter anyway, she’s likely to be in a happier position to pick him back up later - or at very least, has someone else to hack out with on the new schoolmaster.

Clearly, if going to leave OP short of cash - it’s a silly idea, can’t understand why even mentioned.

If OP will be focusing on the solitary Welsh, yes, lots of hacking, fun-rides-with-jumps, lessons - ideal to get back into swing of things, build fitness, partnership and confidence, then re commence formal jumping if and when appropriate. Presume the lessons will be with a good instructor? Take them back to basics if that’s what’s needed? - perfect, her solution’s already there.

I would say that if sharer will be continuing to compete in jumping competitions, that is less likely to ‘calm him down’ into a jumping schoolmaster status - if that is what OP now feels she wants / needs. Section Ds are often high-couraged and forwards, it’s one of the characteristics we all love and admire.

Pleased Rigs has turned out so well for you all - sounds a stardust sweetie!

 

[Vodkagirly]

Booking regular lessons with a good instuctor is a lot cheaper than a second horse. Ask locally for recommendations for someone who is good at building confidence and get them booked in for a weekly lesson. Taking it slowly and positive repetion is the key. Build some good memories in the school. You know you have managed it before so no reason that you cant do it again.