Jumping nerves?

[Cob Life]

Does anyone else get unnecessarily nervous jumping?
I’m planning on jumping blue tomorrow as he’s schooled hard this week, but I’m so nervous! I’ve jumped him before, with only one refusal in total where I completely dropped him. He doesn’t rush fences or over jump, I trust him enough to just keep him in a snaffle, I literally only do cross poles. Why on earth am I so nervous still?
I did have a few falls jumping 3 years ago, resulting in an a&e visit (after I’d gotten back on twice and jumped a clear round) and 2 weeks off driving and riding but I’ve jumped since then.

 

[Maesto's Girl]

I had horrible nerves going back to jumping - break was 15 years - but nerves are nerves. The thing I found that helped was getting a really good instructor that isn't pushy. I had a clinic with a course builder and he has been my coach ever since. He has taken me from cross poles to actually going out competing at local shows. Still only 60cm but I am fine with that! Sometimes just having someone in your corner on the ground can really help

 

[SpotsandBays]

I get randomly nervous about jumping. I always find having a friend there to cheer you on, or shout at you (works well for me!) is helpful. Bonus is that they can pick up poles and move jumps/heights! I also feel much more confident doing grid work!

 

[Cob Life]

I had horrible nerves going back to jumping - break was 15 years - but nerves are nerves. The thing I found that helped was getting a really good instructor that isn't pushy. I had a clinic with a course builder and he has been my coach ever since. He has taken me from cross poles to actually going out competing at local shows. Still only 60cm but I am fine with that! Sometimes just having someone in your corner on the ground can really help

I get randomly nervous about jumping. I always find having a friend there to cheer you on, or shout at you (works well for me!) is helpful. Bonus is that they can pick up poles and move jumps/heights! I also feel much more confident doing grid work!

I’m horrible if I have an instructor there, I think due to having one who did push me too far, would berate me etc.

I did jump today, only small x poles and most of the time he didn’t even jump them but still a huge achievement as I’ve not jumped for over 6months

 

[SpotsandBays]

I’m horrible if I have an instructor there, I think due to having one who did push me too far, would berate me etc.

I did jump today, only small x poles and most of the time he didn’t even jump them but still a huge achievement as I’ve not jumped for over 6months

Well done!!! How are you feeling?

 

[Cob Life]

Well done!!! How are you feeling?

Great! After we did the first and I realised he wasn’t going to over jump or shoot off afterwards or we both end up on the floor I was a lot more confident and feel happy jumping bigger next time. I was getting a little left behind (an issue I’ve always had) the first few jumps but once I kept reminding myself to go with him more it was better, and actually a lot more comfortable than when I used to jump regularly

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I used to really struggle with nerves. I found lots of lessons with a supportive instructor and also the more I jumped the more confident I felt.

Try and do little and often. I would flat school and literally pop over one cross pole. Always end on a high note.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Great! After we did the first and I realised he wasn’t going to over jump or shoot off afterwards or we both end up on the floor I was a lot more confident and feel happy jumping bigger next time. I was getting a little left behind (an issue I’ve always had) the first few jumps but once I kept reminding myself to go with him more it was better, and actually a lot more comfortable than when I used to jump regularly

That’s fab! Well done!

 

[Maesto's Girl]

Doesn't matter if it's cross poles or a meter....you did it! Well done

 

[SmallSteps]

When I got back on my witch (six months after she decked me for two weeks in hospital) I started with poles, then 40cm cross poles, then 60cm cross poles, “jumped” something every single day for two weeks. It helped a lot, she was bored of it and calm, I gained a little bit more brave pants every day & a pole/mini jump doesn’t tire her legs

Then we did a schooling round at an arena hire at 70cm (first fence about 60, maybe an 80 at the end, only jumped round once because I was scared it might go wrong), then unaff class at 80 at the same venue, next week did 85 aff, then 90, then 90 at a new venue, then 1m, then 95, then 1m, then 1.10m (then lock down)

Could not have got off the ground if I hadn’t given myself permission to start at 40cm, and a massive round of applause when I did that.
All about the small steps

 

[Cob Life]

When I got back on my witch (six months after she decked me for two weeks in hospital) I started with poles, then 40cm cross poles, then 60cm cross poles, “jumped” something every single day for two weeks. It helped a lot, she was bored of it and calm, I gained a little bit more brave pants every day & a pole/mini jump doesn’t tire her legs

Then we did a schooling round at an arena hire at 70cm (first fence about 60, maybe an 80 at the end, only jumped round once because I was scared it might go wrong), then unaff class at 80 at the same venue, next week did 85 aff, then 90, then 90 at a new venue, then 1m, then 95, then 1m, then 1.10m (then lock down)

Could not have got off the ground if I hadn’t given myself permission to start at 40cm, and a massive round of applause when I did that.
All about the small steps

Once I jump a height once I am then fine for the rest of the day, it’s each time they go up that I get nervous

 

[SmallSteps]

Once I jump a height once I am then fine for the rest of the day, it’s each time they go up that I get nervous

Me too, so I went up in 5cms - one hole bigger every time I went out. Then it’s just one hole, I can do that, that’s almost exactly the same from what I jumped last week. The first fence is small, then once you’ve jumped that you’re sorted. I only jump tiny in the warm up, she’s a careful horse.

 

[Cob Life]

Me too, so I went up in 5cms - one hole bigger every time I went out. Then it’s just one hole, I can do that, that’s almost exactly the same from what I jumped last week. The first fence is small, then once you’ve jumped that you’re sorted. I only jump tiny in the warm up, she’s a careful horse.

I love how he is so good for building my confidence jumping, he never gets strong and even if I’m not 100% set on the jump he just carries on and does it, doesn’t refuse, just pops over like “okay we did that, what next?”

 

[SmallSteps]

I love how he is so good for building my confidence jumping, he never gets strong and even if I’m not 100% set on the jump he just carries on and does it, doesn’t refuse, just pops over like “okay we did that, what next?”

Just awesome. Remember even the jumps you mess up are helpful, because he’ll sort it out and you’ll have another piece of confidence. You do the rhythm, he does the jumps, repeat, repeat, repeat