Show jumper to dressage Horse?

Sussexbythesea

Sussexbythesea

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 July 2009
Messages
8,358
Visit site
I’m looking for a quality all rounder that could do a bit of everything With more of a focus on dressage test. I don’t really want a pure dressage Horse.

I looked at one today that is right size and temperament and has a decent BSJA record up to Foxhunter. He’s now nine. Teenager now no time for own horse and Mum wants him to go to more of a permanent RC home rather than a succession of teenagers they don’t think he really has the scope and speed to go further.

My question is how and should you change the way of going from SJ that’s very bouncy up and down stride but not particularly forward. Has a worked in draw reins outline to more of a working over back dressage outline? They say he’s done well at dressage previously but today he really didn’t go off leg, and trot to canter was not great. I guess he would typically do walk to canter in SJ.

I’ve discovered that nothing (half a dozen ISH from 5-7) so far matches my old boy in terms of schooling and balance. Makes me appreciate him even more even though he can be a sod.
 
Who produced him originally? From what I read/see professional show jumpers school their horses well, so they can shorten and lengthen strides, change legs.

The "off the leg" thing is surely something that can be improved, in fact it can all be improved, but it depends on what you are really aiming for.
 
You can... but it takes time.

My eventer-turned- SJer-turned-dressage-horse has been with me for two years and I’m just now really starting to see a difference in his way of going.
 
Orangehorse said:
Who produced him originally? From what I read/see professional show jumpers school their horses well, so they can shorten and lengthen strides, change legs.

The "off the leg" thing is surely something that can be improved, in fact it can all be improved, but it depends on what you are really aiming for.
Click to expand...

I do have a name of the person who had him as a 4yr old but I don’t want to make the horse identifiable. I’ve also a reference for his BSJA record. Happy to pm if you’d be happy to advise? They’ve had him 5 years so since 4 and at times he’s been away for training with a dressage instructor and won some dressage championship. It was hard to find that in him today but I guess it’s there somewhere.

I’m hoping if I can get him to stretch forward and over his back his stride will lengthen and yes as I get more used to him to sharpen him up so at the moment maybe it’s good thing he’s not too forward. I’m such a one horsed rider though I can’t help comparing to my old boy.
 
Oh, I wouldn't know anyone! It was just a general comment really. But good, successful showjumpers do have really well schooled horses! And many do produce their horses with the idea in mind that they might not make the grade as show jumpers, but will be able to go on and do other things.
 
Not SJ but I bought my pony as a pretty successful WH pony-been round HOYS, RIHS etc, so very much schooled for 'showing' and jumping rather than dressage. It took a good year to change his way of going but his attitude made it easier. Once we taught him lateral work it all started to click into place. Plus one bonus was that he has a great balanced canter-teaching counter canter was easy! I wasn't a dressage rider when I bought him, so we learnt together, which obviously made it take a bit longer. Having said that, he's had good scores BD elementary, won some classes on plus 68%, and the only reason I haven't taken him out at medium is age/arthritis catching up with him. Depends how much work you want/attitude of the horse for me. If the horse has a great temperament and is willing to learn and safe, then I'd be happy to put the work in. If it is a bit sour, unwilling, then maybe not. My pony isn't 'forward going' but will try all day long which makes the difference.
 
I’ve brought a SJ horse in the hope to turn him into more of an all rounder. His canter is great, but the bits in between aren’t so much. And when he finds the trot work hard he defaults to canter. I haven’t had him long and we are getting there! He has started to take longer strides and work more over his back, although he does find it hard. He is very built up at the front so I am hoping the backend will catch up now he is working it more efficiently. He’s lovely though and it’s been great to have something so confident to jump too!
 
Michael Eilberg has done it pretty successfully with Marakov!

No reason why you can't work with a showjumper - at least you'll have some flying changes in there somewhere (although they might not be textbook correct with the aids!)

We've got a hunter who has been schooled in the past as though he was a showjumper - he's got a very short and bouncy canter in the school (although sadly no changes lol!) - we've done a lot of hill work and cantering in open fields and he now has the backside of a cob and a long ground covering canter - anything is possible .......
 
Any horse (within reason) can be schooled so the most important thing is that you like and enjoy the horse, if you don't enjoy riding the horse at the moment then you will potentially have a long time of not enjoying it while you school it.

If you're wanting something that compares to your old boy do you need to be looking at horses that are older? You might be making unfair comparisons as a 5 yo would never be able to compare to an older horse (I know the horse in question on this thread is 9 but you mentioned looking at 5 - 7 year olds otherwise :) ).
 
Last edited:
Squeak said:
Any horse (within reason) can be schooled so the most important thing is that you like and enjoy the horse, if you don't enjoy riding the horse at the moment then you will potentially have a long time of not enjoying it while you school it.

If you're wanting something that compares to your old boy do you need to be looking at horses that are older? You might be making unfair comparisons as a 5 yo would never be able to compare to an older horse (I know the horse in question on this thread is 9 but you mentioned looking at 5 - 7 year olds otherwise :) ).
Click to expand...

I understand where you are coming from regarding age. I’ve had him 13 years and if I look back although he was well schooled at 10 when I bought him we still needed a lot of work together before we gelled. He’s also always been a bit of a git really, he habitually bogs off in the school and bucks when he gets over-excited so not plain sailing however he is very balanced and knows the moves and I’ve had a lot of fun with him too. I have to tell myself that not every horse does this which holds me back a little from riding more positively on a strange horse.

I previously has a 5 yr old which unfortunately was pts at 8 due to wobblers. I think I’ve just forgotten what an unschooled Horse feels like although he had a better more comprehensive schooling start to be fair.

I actually enjoy schooling and I would love to see a horse change for the better under my watch with professional help along the way. I did like the Horse but I’m keen to ensure we are a good fit for his and my sake.
 
sjdress said:
I’ve brought a SJ horse in the hope to turn him into more of an all rounder. His canter is great, but the bits in between aren’t so much. And when he finds the trot work hard he defaults to canter. I haven’t had him long and we are getting there! He has started to take longer strides and work more over his back, although he does find it hard. He is very built up at the front so I am hoping the backend will catch up now he is working it more efficiently. He’s lovely though and it’s been great to have something so confident to jump too!
Click to expand...

This one had quite a bouncy but nice trot and very comfy canter that felt like it was in slow motion. He’s nicely put together and very attractive but doesn’t really step under and through. Conformationally he doesn’t appear naturally uphill so would find this harder but then again I’m not looking for Valegro as I couldn’t ride one side of him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top