Gembo
Well-Known Member
my horse jumps really well at home and in the parctice ring but when we go into the ring he often refuses and jumps really awkwardly. anyone got any tips about how to help him.
my horse jumps fine at home but wont at competitions
- Thread starter Gembo
- Start date
dumpling
Well-Known Member
Will be watching this with interest as mine does the exact same. I put it down to stress. I'm ready to 'retire' him from jumping at competitions and concentrate more on dressage and showing, but he's got a cracking jump in him and would do fab in workers.
Honey08
Waffled a lot!
Are you a pony club/riding club member? Being one would probably give you the opportunity to have lessons on their show grounds, and involve fillers etc. If not, do as many clinics/have the odd lesson at as many different venues as possible - so that the horse gets used to going to different places and jumping.
Gembo
Well-Known Member
pony club and riding club.... have regular lessons just dont get it
blood_magik
Well-Known Member
mine's the same and we compete at home. Funnily enough, when he refused a jump he'd jumped a million times before, we put him in h&c and he went clear.. typical 
I've put it down to nerves (horse and rider) and find that if you go for, the horse responds positively.
We've gone from getting eliminated at every show to 4 faults (he knocked a pole).
don't give up, basically
I've put it down to nerves (horse and rider) and find that if you go for, the horse responds positively.
We've gone from getting eliminated at every show to 4 faults (he knocked a pole).
don't give up, basically
Gembo
Well-Known Member
hmmmm....guess we will just have to persevere and theres no easy answer 
only_me
Well-Known Member
Are you riding exactly the same as you do at home?
Sometimes they need more leg at a comp to give them confidence
Sometimes they need more leg at a comp to give them confidence
blood_magik
Well-Known Member
Are you riding exactly the same as you do at home?
Sometimes they need more leg at a comp to give them confidence
^^ echo this.. poor craig ends up having to do pony club kicks sometimes
i know its really disheartening but it will feel even more special when you finally get that clear round
Gembo
Well-Known Member
i try to ride the same but i probably dont and i think he needs even more cofidence when hes in the ring so when were both nervous were not helping each other.......but hes absolutly amazing x country jumps anything
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
Eb's was the same, she would sort of get stage fright, I was always more tense and that never helped and often I almost expected it none of this helped with relaxing her and giving her confidence.
I was really lucky in that we had a brilliant local riding club, perfect for taking young horses too and horses like eb's!
They would have 3 showjumping classes all one after the other with the exact same course just getting bigger (if you get what I mean) They would also let you continue if the horse was not in distress even after elimination. We would use the first class as a practice, often with her refusing/stopping then cat jumping her way around!! Once she had done the course in full she would get her confidence and fly round the next 2 classes. She would always be lacking in confidence at new venues but eventually this got less and less as she and I became more relaxed and confident in her performance at shows. A couple of years ago I took her to a show and she just would not go over the first jump, it was like we had taken a step back in time by 7 years, but I then realised that we had been around the jumping ring, watching the jumping and waiting for our class for almost 2 hrs! she just psyched herself out.
All I can suggest is try to relax and remain strong and unphased, don't think about what you and your horse look like, find a few shows that understand and support the rider and do not let your horse wait around watching, if it is anything like eb's it will just compound the problem. good luck
I was really lucky in that we had a brilliant local riding club, perfect for taking young horses too and horses like eb's!
They would have 3 showjumping classes all one after the other with the exact same course just getting bigger (if you get what I mean) They would also let you continue if the horse was not in distress even after elimination. We would use the first class as a practice, often with her refusing/stopping then cat jumping her way around!! Once she had done the course in full she would get her confidence and fly round the next 2 classes. She would always be lacking in confidence at new venues but eventually this got less and less as she and I became more relaxed and confident in her performance at shows. A couple of years ago I took her to a show and she just would not go over the first jump, it was like we had taken a step back in time by 7 years, but I then realised that we had been around the jumping ring, watching the jumping and waiting for our class for almost 2 hrs! she just psyched herself out.
All I can suggest is try to relax and remain strong and unphased, don't think about what you and your horse look like, find a few shows that understand and support the rider and do not let your horse wait around watching, if it is anything like eb's it will just compound the problem.
good luck 
Kellys Heroes
Well-Known Member
I'll be watching this with interest - mine did the same.
I'll never forget one day at a show we'd done our class, had a meander round the showing ground and I thought (very optimistically!) oh we'll go in the clear round and have a jump.
After 20 minutes of spooks, refusals and pure stubbornness - oh and ALL the jumps put down - we had a crowd watching. She cat leaped one jump, about 4 foot in the air and everyone burst into applause and cheering
She is currently out of work but getting back very slowly and although I doubt she'll jump again (though she likes to surprise) I'd love to know how to rectify this
K x
I'll never forget one day at a show we'd done our class, had a meander round the showing ground and I thought (very optimistically!) oh we'll go in the clear round and have a jump.
After 20 minutes of spooks, refusals and pure stubbornness - oh and ALL the jumps put down - we had a crowd watching. She cat leaped one jump, about 4 foot in the air and everyone burst into applause and cheering
She is currently out of work but getting back very slowly and although I doubt she'll jump again (though she likes to surprise) I'd love to know how to rectify this
K x
Lolo
Well-Known Member
I really struggled with this when I was younger- I could jump at home, but as soon as I got to a comp I just couldn't ride the way I needed to to get darling pony (aka little sod!) over the jump. I found the way to conquer my nerves a bit was to break the cycle- you go to a comp, have stops, feel disheartened, go to next comp feeling a bit unsure, have more stops because you're not as positive, and on it goes.
I went out and literally hunted round. Kicked every stride regardless of speed and rode every fence like it was a 6' hedge out hunting. Held whip ready to back up my leg if necessary. I looked awful and I think people must have thought I was a truly rubbish rider for that time. But he stopped stopping. And so each time I felt more positive about being able to jump round, and so rode in a more forwards manner and didn't need my 'false' bravado to get us over the jumps... My motto for riding is still "If in doubt kick every stride"!
I went out and literally hunted round. Kicked every stride regardless of speed and rode every fence like it was a 6' hedge out hunting. Held whip ready to back up my leg if necessary. I looked awful and I think people must have thought I was a truly rubbish rider for that time. But he stopped stopping. And so each time I felt more positive about being able to jump round, and so rode in a more forwards manner and didn't need my 'false' bravado to get us over the jumps... My motto for riding is still "If in doubt kick every stride"!
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
I'll be watching this with interest - mine did the same.
I'll never forget one day at a show we'd done our class, had a meander round the showing ground and I thought (very optimistically!) oh we'll go in the clear round and have a jump.
After 20 minutes of spooks, refusals and pure stubbornness - oh and ALL the jumps put down - we had a crowd watching. She cat leaped one jump, about 4 foot in the air and everyone burst into applause and cheering
She is currently out of work but getting back very slowly and although I doubt she'll jump again (though she likes to surprise) I'd love to know how to rectify this
K x
honesty, don't give up, that sounds just like ebony and if you have a peek at my albums you will see what she is now absolutely fantastic and all kinds of confident
Took a long time but she really just seemed to be so overwhelmed and it truly was like SHE was the one who was frightened of messing up, she literally got stage fright. The riding club locally put on loads of shows and xc events at the same showground this and their attitude was an absolute godsend.Because I am so proud of her and couldn't resist:
2 years ago with my friends daughter for the school SJ team
2 weeks after she joined the team won their first rosette
Eb's was the only horse who wouldn't allow them to pin it on the bridle 
Kellys Heroes
Well-Known Member
queenbee - lovely pics! good to see it can be done!
I'm hoping she will be able to jump again but we will just have to see with time. It wasn't even like she was frightened it was more like "oh canter canter canter, nice jump....HA you think I'M jumping THAT?!" xD
K x
good to see it can be done!I'm hoping she will be able to jump again but we will just have to see with time. It wasn't even like she was frightened it was more like "oh canter canter canter, nice jump....HA you think I'M jumping THAT?!" xD
K x
kickonchaps
Well-Known Member
Can you go in HC at the end of the class at a local show and just school between the fences? I've done this at hunter trials when my horse was napping, we'd go last and brace the organisers for a long weight then just school round missing out the scary jumps!!
They're usually pretty accomodating, and if you had someone with you to just drop all the fences to a X, and decided that you'd only present at it if your horse was schooling happily between the jumps you might find he settles
They're usually pretty accomodating, and if you had someone with you to just drop all the fences to a X, and decided that you'd only present at it if your horse was schooling happily between the jumps you might find he settles
Walrus
Well-Known Member
If it's turning into an issue i.e. every time you go out you don't get round etc. then maybe it's turning into a bit of a vicious cycle and your both tense when you go in the ring. I know I get really nervous at shows and when I start taking my youngster out I'm going to have to bite the bullet! Do you have an experienced friend or instructor who knows the horse and could maybe come along to a local show with you and ride the horse. If they are not as nervous it my help break the cycle - show you the horse can do it and show the horse he can do it. If they get round you could always ask to go in HC at the end to kind of follow on. It's something I've been thinking about with my youngster - if I get nervous to the point where it affects him (highly likely!) I have a couple of friends who are experienced show riders who I will hopefully recruit to get him going.
Kokopelli
Well-Known Member
You may get tense in the ring and ride differently to how you would in the warm up and at home. I'm the complete opposite, when I warm up I hate jumping over 90cm but quite happy to jump bigger in the ring.
Set yourself little goals, perhaps pick a rather worrying fence i.e fence 3 and say as long as I get over fence 3 I'm happy. Then you gradually build these goals up, I just want to get round in a nice rhythm, I just want to get a steady clear and finally I would like a fast clear.
This way your not putting too much pressure on yourself, forget about the other competitiors your competing against yourself and trying to improve yourself. Just think that jumping is dressage with bumps, jumps heights your happy at then start building up.
Hope you get the problem sorted soon, it might be worth bringing your RI to a comp with you to possibly see what you need to work on. Or get a video and show it to your RI.
Set yourself little goals, perhaps pick a rather worrying fence i.e fence 3 and say as long as I get over fence 3 I'm happy. Then you gradually build these goals up, I just want to get round in a nice rhythm, I just want to get a steady clear and finally I would like a fast clear.
This way your not putting too much pressure on yourself, forget about the other competitiors your competing against yourself and trying to improve yourself. Just think that jumping is dressage with bumps, jumps heights your happy at then start building up.
Hope you get the problem sorted soon, it might be worth bringing your RI to a comp with you to possibly see what you need to work on. Or get a video and show it to your RI.
lannerch
Well-Known Member
Many years ago I had a horse that used to do this, I even had a professional rider ride him at compitition a few times however he did it with them too.
He occasionally used to get round but the majority of compititions he would be eliminated at the first fence. Once he even got to fence 4 of the cross country ( which means he had sucessfully negociated the show jumping) , He was not scared but he did not like anything unfamiliar so at home and cross country schooling if he had been before he jumped everything.
Eventually I gave up, as I wanted to event he was sold to a hacking and dressage predominant home where he would be much happier, saw him a few years ago he was loved and spoilt rotten.
Yes don't give up too soon, but sometimes as in the case above they are telling you they do not want to do the job you are trying to do.
He occasionally used to get round but the majority of compititions he would be eliminated at the first fence. Once he even got to fence 4 of the cross country ( which means he had sucessfully negociated the show jumping) , He was not scared but he did not like anything unfamiliar so at home and cross country schooling if he had been before he jumped everything.
Eventually I gave up, as I wanted to event he was sold to a hacking and dressage predominant home where he would be much happier, saw him a few years ago he was loved and spoilt rotten.
Yes don't give up too soon, but sometimes as in the case above they are telling you they do not want to do the job you are trying to do.
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
How often do you jump at home? Personally I'd think he might be a bit stale and completely stop jumping at home so he's nice and fresh when out. I dont jump any of my horses at home, only ever at competition and it works well - they never get bored
But do you know his background? I had a horse once who'd been beaten up in the SJ ring as a youngster - as a result no matter how hard I tried (how fun I tried to make it) - he would never jump successfully in the ring, occassionally he would be brilliant and win but 85% of the time we would get eliminated, he would just give up half way round. He always jumped beautifully at home and in lessons. Very odd but after 4 years of trying I had to admit defeat and I sold him to a hacking home.
But do you know his background? I had a horse once who'd been beaten up in the SJ ring as a youngster - as a result no matter how hard I tried (how fun I tried to make it) - he would never jump successfully in the ring, occassionally he would be brilliant and win but 85% of the time we would get eliminated, he would just give up half way round. He always jumped beautifully at home and in lessons. Very odd but after 4 years of trying I had to admit defeat and I sold him to a hacking home.
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SazzyB
Well-Known Member
Could you get an instructor you know to meet you at a show, warm you up and watch your round? I have found this useful before. I know I ride differently at a show and because of this, it affects how my horse goes. Often riders over-ride when in the ring and the horse backs off because he wonders why you are suddenly pushing him to go everywhere.
Alternatively you could get someone to video your warm up and the round and show it to an instructor.
Maybe next time, try getting your horse going nicely, softly, but forward in the warm up and then treat the actual ring as just a schooling round. Really take your time, pop back into trot if you need to make time, then pick up canter again when ready, and concentrate on your breathing. Just concentrate on a nice rhythm, and good lines to each fence, without rushing or pressuring your horse.
Alternatively you could get someone to video your warm up and the round and show it to an instructor.
Maybe next time, try getting your horse going nicely, softly, but forward in the warm up and then treat the actual ring as just a schooling round. Really take your time, pop back into trot if you need to make time, then pick up canter again when ready, and concentrate on your breathing. Just concentrate on a nice rhythm, and good lines to each fence, without rushing or pressuring your horse.