Loose Jumping..

[Helena88]

how do you think the height that a horse loose jumps when aged 3 or 4 compares to it's potential height to jump in competition.

does it hold no relevance ? or is it infact a useful technique for gageing what potential the horse has?

could you even go to the point of saying that if a horse has jumped 'so high' loose at age 3 or 4 then it will definitely (excluding accidents/injury and with good training) make 'such a height in competition'?

 

[Rambo]

To be honest, i think loose jumping provides a guide to the technique and carefulness of a horse more than its maximum ability. Most horses can jump 1.50m if they want to...it's how they do it that's more important. The weight of a rider make little difference imo.

 

[Taz975]

I think it does give a useful guide to their technique and natural ability & aptitude to sort things out.
Interestingly, Ive been told by alot of different showjumpers that loose jumping and jumping under saddle are two entirely different things and so you cant really judge it like that.

 

[RunToEarth]

Have to agree with Cheese. Up at Robs they tell the two into totally different things. Loose schooling is letting the horse sort itself out, striding and the lot. No matter how much you try, as a rider you will always help/hinder the horse you are riding, so you will always change the way it jumps as opposed to loose schooling, where its all horse and no rider.

 

[Taz975]

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Have to agree with Cheese.

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that sounds so bizarre!

 

[amage]

i've seen horses that are useless jumpers jump 5 bar gates in fields. loose jumping is designed to see their technique and style over a fence. it also is a good idea of how good their mind is...can they sort things out etc.

 

[4whitesocks]

The majority of horses who win at loose jumping comps as young horses never surface as contenders under saddle (I know that's a huge sweeping statement so sorry in advance but it's so often the case over here say at the RDS!!) I agree it shows their technique and style but is no guarantee that under saddle they will perform to that standard (also depends how they are backed & brought on)