Shold I Start Jumping Bigger

[Jade2007]

Me and Boomer have finally got confident and we no longer run out

. I jump him 3ft (gridwork, spreads etc.) at home and tbh its getting quite easy now. I'm quite nervous to go up a couple of holes because I've finally got it together after 7 months and don't want to ruin all my hard work. What would you do? Oh yeah, and I'm thinking of affiliating next year - what are the courses like going from pony club area (alot harder, a bit harder?)
Thanks!!

 

[Paint it Lucky]

If you feel confident then go for it. I like to use gridwork when upping the height of jumps, generally I'd use one small inviting jump (i.e. a cross pole) then one stride to a second jump that is bigger. This way you know the horse is on the correct stride for the bigger fence and can gradually up it depending on how confident you are both feeling and going. I'd also look to have lessons (if you don't already) with a good jumping instructor who can help boost your confidence and ability further. Good luck I hope you do well with him

 

[Rambo]

Jumping fences in a grid is a good way to get horse and rider comfortable jumping bigger fences as the striding is invariably right as it is pre-set. The next step for you is to be happily jumping single fences and fences on related strides and turns at this height. When you are comfortable doing this tackle a courfse of fences at that height.

Sorry to be harsh but an affiliated course is going to be at least 3' in the first round and probably look a lot bigger so don't rush into making that step up.

 

[Jade2007]

Okay thanks rode him and jumped him 3'3 on jacobs ladder he was good

And on the duckhurst website on the junior affiliated schedules it starts off with 70cm then 80cm then jnr bn then 90cm etc. which is why I was thinking about it

 

[WishfulThinker]

If u feel confident go for it! I was really nervous and in April wouldn't canter over 2ft - my instructor has worked hard with us and last week my boy and I did a 4fter

. And after doing that 3ft it feeling a doddle, I definitely think about it differently and so does the horse as he has more faitih in me.
Just work on a grid and up it, it doesn't feel so big on a grid!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I think the best way for you to find out how you will be over affiliated courses is to go to an event & jump on a ticket. That way you'll be able to see if you are ready without the expense of paying to join & possibly finding out that you aren't quite ready. Hopefully things will go well, but until you have a go you will never know. Good Luck