Learning to Jump

[Jazz2304]

Hello everyone,

I've been riding consistently for the last couple of years and have finally committed to beginning to learn to jump properly. I'd done the odd lesson here and there but never enough to progress!

I've had two private jumping lessons so far with a senior coach. My issue is... timing. I'm finding it so hard to know when to go into jumping position. My first lesson I got it a few times, then other times did it way too early. This was evident when I went flying off and landed on my shoulder in my first lesson which shook me up a bit (got back on though). Second lesson we took it back a step, so no falling, but I'm still finding the timing so hard!

I get the feeling i should be able to know when to do it, and when I get it, it's great - but the rest of the time I get so frustrated with myself. Did it take anyone else a while to get the timing right? I'm definitely worse if I'm cantering towards a jump as I overthink the strides. Just worried I'm slow at getting it..

Xx

 

[be positive]

It sounds as if you should be doing lots of gridwork, something that doesn't seem to be used properly so much as it used to, having a row of fences set up with the strides correct means the rider can develop their feel, timing and get their position more established without having to think so much about what the horse is doing.
Coming in at trot to the first pole then the horse cantering through on level strides with the rider having to do very little other than wait for the fences is how I think every rider should start and not move on to the stage of single fences until they have got their timing, it can still go a bit wrong but trying to canter into a fence when you are still learning is expecting too much in my experience and setting the rider up to fail rather than setting them up to succeed.
Practising jumping position without jumps can help you be more secure, make sure the position you are being taught is correct, you need a short stirrup, to think of folding with your bum going back remaining in a position that if the horse was not under you you could maintain without toppling forward, a lot of people tend to stand in their stirrups and go too far forward with their weight, with small fences I prefer to see very little folding and encourage the rider to push their hands forward so the horse has freedom but the rider stays in balance and becomes confident, until they are genuinely confident security is the priority as long as they are not catching the horse in the mouth or sitting too far behind the movement.
It does get easier try not to over think.

 

[Starzaan]

I completely agree with the reply above, but I would also add that I encourage all my clients who are learning to jump to go and watch some more advanced lessons, and try and count ‘3 2 1’ before each horse takes off. This is a great way to develop your eye for a stride, but you will also learn a huge amount from watching more experienced riders have a lesson.

 

[Jazz2304]

It sounds as if you should be doing lots of gridwork, something that doesn't seem to be used properly so much as it used to, having a row of fences set up with the strides correct means the rider can develop their feel, timing and get their position more established without having to think so much about what the horse is doing.
Coming in at trot to the first pole then the horse cantering through on level strides with the rider having to do very little other than wait for the fences is how I think every rider should start and not move on to the stage of single fences until they have got their timing, it can still go a bit wrong but trying to canter into a fence when you are still learning is expecting too much in my experience and setting the rider up to fail rather than setting them up to succeed.
Practising jumping position without jumps can help you be more secure, make sure the position you are being taught is correct, you need a short stirrup, to think of folding with your bum going back remaining in a position that if the horse was not under you you could maintain without toppling forward, a lot of people tend to stand in their stirrups and go too far forward with their weight, with small fences I prefer to see very little folding and encourage the rider to push their hands forward so the horse has freedom but the rider stays in balance and becomes confident, until they are genuinely confident security is the priority as long as they are not catching the horse in the mouth or sitting too far behind the movement.
It does get easier try not to over think.

I'm definitely going too far forward and standing too much for the size of jumps I'm doing, so that's definitely something to think about - thank you! My trainer did do some gridwork without a jump to practice my timings but was still off.

I agree with cantering towards a jump on my first lesson, I think it's because at the time I was somewhat successful with trotting towards them, but I think she soon realised it was too soon (after the fall) as we went back a step. It felt too soon!

Thank you

 

[Jazz2304]

I completely agree with the reply above, but I would also add that I encourage all my clients who are learning to jump to go and watch some more advanced lessons, and try and count ‘3 2 1’ before each horse takes off. This is a great way to develop your eye for a stride, but you will also learn a huge amount from watching more experienced riders have a lesson.

Good idea! Definitely going to try that - thank you.

 

[littlefluffball]

watch as many "advanced" folk as you can - I literally sit with you tube and watch lots of jumping. When I started learning I found a pole before the jump very helpful in between the gridwork and single jump stage. It really helped get the feeling for the strides into the jump. Also the best advice I got from my instructor was look beyond the jump and let it come to you. I was a major overthinkiner and being a bit premature! She would actually point out signs in the school to look at on approach and get more a "feel" of when the jump was there

 

[Trinket12]

We do a lot of trot poles in two point, trotting in two point and some canter in two point. My coach also explains how many strides I should be getting between the jumps (we only just started cantering between jumps) so I am counting as we land and I know that say when I hit 6 that's when I need to be in my position. Sometimes there will be a trot pole before the jump, and I know that when we go over that I need to get into position.

It takes time though, I am really bad for going too far forward like I'm doing a massive jump instead of the teeny tiny one I'm doing!

 

[Jazz2304]

watch as many "advanced" folk as you can - I literally sit with you tube and watch lots of jumping. When I started learning I found a pole before the jump very helpful in between the gridwork and single jump stage. It really helped get the feeling for the strides into the jump. Also the best advice I got from my instructor was look beyond the jump and let it come to you. I was a major overthinkiner and being a bit premature! She would actually point out signs in the school to look at on approach and get more a "feel" of when the jump was there

That's really helpful thank you! Yeah I do have a tendency to focus entirely at the jump instead of ahead.

 

[Jumoro]

I've been jumping again for a couple of years now after a very long break. It took me quite a while to get my timing and position more or less right (obviously still a work in progress) - quite frustrating as i found jumping relatively easy when i was young but this time around my body just would not behave. i spent ages standing up in the stirrups over jumps, was regularly ahead of/behind the movement and then went though a strange phase where i seemed to be determined to lift my horse over the jump!! After lots of practice & lessons with my very patient instructor it has pretty much come together and going over the jump now feels like the easy bit - all the stuff in between the jumps is much more tricky. In terms of position/timing I found grid work - esp without reins - really helpful. Lots of work without stirrups also helped with my seat and lower leg.

 

[Maesto's Girl]

Mine has an awful tendency to decide RIGHT at the last minute she's not going so whilst training....I stay firmly in that saddle sat back until feet have left the ground We are only on 40-50 at the mo...but just whilst she's getting her confidence I need to stay on to keep mine

 

[Jazz2304]

I've been jumping again for a couple of years now after a very long break. It took me quite a while to get my timing and position more or less right (obviously still a work in progress) - quite frustrating as i found jumping relatively easy when i was young but this time around my body just would not behave. i spent ages standing up in the stirrups over jumps, was regularly ahead of/behind the movement and then went though a strange phase where i seemed to be determined to lift my horse over the jump!! After lots of practice & lessons with my very patient instructor it has pretty much come together and going over the jump now feels like the easy bit - all the stuff in between the jumps is much more tricky. In terms of position/timing I found grid work - esp without reins - really helpful. Lots of work without stirrups also helped with my seat and lower leg.

That's reassuring to hear! I'm currently at the standing over the jumps stage lol. I'm getting in as much practice as I can, but I'll try and ask for more gridwork as a few people have said this

 

[Danblade02]

Get someone to video you everytime you do jumping. I found looking back over the video's you could pin point your mistakes. I am only riding 5 yrs on and off. But this yr I started to concentrate on jumping ,I am luck I have a horse that has done it all so all I have to do is point him in front of a fence. The more you practice the better you get.

 

[Mule]

I remember learning as a kid doing grids without stirrups or without reins. It was great for balance. I gave up for about years and didn't do any of that when I relearned.

I do have the problem that I was originally taught to lean forward at the jump rather than push my hips back. I haven't got out of that habit and my balance isn't what it was. With a stopper, I have met the ground more often than I'd like🙄 Strangely enough I'm a much more confident rider now so it hasn't put
me off😉