Jumping lesson

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I had my first ever proper jumping lesson today! Have been riding upwards of 15years starting out with show ponies so lots of flat work although even then not as many lessons as I should have (or needed to) have had

Today I took my boy to an instructor I have been to before for a few flatwork lessons. I really trust and click with her.
If I'm honest jumping lessons petrify me. I only jump about 70 cm and always stay within my comfort zone so am wary about having a lesson and being "pushed" and losing valuable (and fragile!) confidence! Ridiculous I know!

So it went really well and I enjoyed it
My biggest issue is that I'm obsessed with strides. I'm good at seeing the wrong stride if I know I'm going to get a v long or v short one. If I see a long one I panick and check resulting in a complete loss of impulsion and ending up really deep with a horrible jump. If I see a short one I basically throw the reins and freeze. Made good progress in lesson after frustrating myself soo much but it was hard to leave him alone keep my shoulders back and leave my leg on no matter what the stride.
When I'm jumping a course my saint of a horse takes over and basically goes into auto pilot and sorts strides out and makes me look a little less rubbish.
I know I need to practice at home and stuff tho and I'm going to a GAUP tomo which will have lots of start stopping so I know I will have to really focus on leaving him alone
Does anyone have any tips for me please?
 
I used to be constantly worried about striding but I started concentrating on other things instead such as my position or where the next jump is. Sounds like you're heading in the right direction though, good luck and have fun :)
 
Just don't think about the striding at all... Trust your horse and focus on going with him. Look ahead, over the jump (or at the next one). And think about your position if you need something to worry about. The striding will come naturally without you worrying. The more you adjust and fiddle, the less often you'll actually get your stride!
 
Never think about strides always think about a good healthy canter rythem, nice & forward & flowing. You will find that strides come much more naturally if you aren't chopping & changing your canter every 30 seconds :) & if you do end up a bit long or short your horse will be a lot better equipped from a decent canter to take it from where he needs to :)
 
kassieg said:
Never think about strides always think about a good healthy canter rythem, nice & forward & flowing. You will find that strides come much more naturally if you aren't chopping & changing your canter every 30 seconds :) & if you do end up a bit long or short your horse will be a lot better equipped from a decent canter to take it from where he needs to :)
Click to expand...

This is the gospel truth!
 
Once my horse has an eye on the jump, I don't change the canter. I focus on having the right forward canter coming out of the turn, and then literally have to remind myself "okay, don't move your hands." If it really bothers you, I'd set out one or two ground poles and practice counting down "3, 2, 1" until you nail the moment you cross them every time. If you can see a distance 3 strides out, you have time to make any crucial adjustments if you're coming in too hot and need to collect and pat the ground one more time, or you have three strides to gain impulsion in an emergency. Inside of that 3 strides, it's usually too late. When you can see 3 strides, you have given yourself time to "check the flaps" and make sure things stay tidy.

Remember to look up at some rooftops or something- your peripheral vision is probably better than you give yourself credit for, and it's easy to teach yourself to look down practicing things like this at home.
 
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I don't know if it helps or not, but i have jumped a lot higher than 70cm (eventing and showjumping) and I cannot see a stride at that height until right near take-off!
Don't know why this is, but try not to let it bother you as the horse will sort it out. I can't remember which book, but one top rider said it isn't that important for most horses until you get to around 1.20m and it sounds like your boy knows his job.
Another book (Stephen Hadley???) says to make the same mistake as your horse i.e. if you see a short stride then sit up and ride for it and if you see a long one then prepare to release more. However, I find that if i see a long one at that height it becomes 'too long' and i get a chip-in. So, when schooling youngsters I do a lot of work jumping from the trot (which seems to help) and do what others have suggested here as in focussing on something else (usually the horse's pace and rhythm, and my lower leg position).
 
I could have written that!

Some very good advice from others. I've focused very much on getting the canter. Something Tim Stockdale I believe said, has become my mantra; canter rhythm, line, gets it right every time. Or something along those lines!
 
Thanks! I know I need to trust his judgement that he won't take off too soon. Determined to keep my shoulders back and leg on. Going to use a neck strap to give me extra confidence too
 
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