pushing yourself

[blood_magik]

a bit of a random post but I was jumping my boy today and was thinking about height and pushing limits.
when I first rode jerry, I think my RI pushed me too high too quickly and I basically flew into jumps and just hoped for the best. this resulted in a few nasty falls (both mine and jerry's fault) and reduced me to a quivering wreck everytime I had a 'lesson' with the jumping team.

my most recent instructor is the total opposite - he gradually increased the heights of the fences (up to 1.20) and didn't berate me for pulling my horse up when I panicked.

anyhow, to the point..
are you more comfortable pushing yourself when your schooling alone or when your RI is there?
I used to prefer to jump higher without my RI present but now I think I'm not so bothered.. my horse managed 1.35m tonight, which I don't think I would have attempted in a lesson.

I'm done rambling.. maltesers for everyone who got this far

 

[Kadastorm]

ooh i love maltesers!

I definately think i felt pushed too far, too soon. i had only been riding a short time and i was jumping 90cm. then i had a two nasty falls in the space of a few months and i lost all confidence.

i now jump 90cm with ease but its taken along time to get back to this and i still rely on support from an instructor or friend just to encourage me to go for it.

i wouldnt jump higher whilst alone though, just incase i buggered it up and ruined my confidence again. i will push myself though, i will make myself do something even when petrified.

 

[blood_magik]

I think I'm the opposite - I hate being pushed into doing something I'm not comfortable with - I have asked my RI to lower fences before. just because my horse is capable of jumping huge (schoolmaster-type) doesn't mean I am and, like you, I'd rather not completely bugger up my confidence..
BUT.. sometimes when I'm feeling brave I stick the last fence up to 1-2 holes higher than I'm comfortable with, kick myself up the behind and just go for it.
sometimes it works and other times it's really messy but as long as we both land on the other side and i don't end up on the floor, I'm happy.
considering I used to brick it at anything over 1m, I'm very happy with getting over 1.20m+ and I've set myself a goal of jumping 1.30 by the end of the season.

no pressure

 

[Kadastorm]

see im a big wimp and wont even try 1.20!
but im sure you can get to jumping 1.35 comfortably if i had the horse, i would!