Showjumping nerves!

[kirst88]

ive just finished the first year if my fdsc in equine management, business and equitation at bishop burton college, but i have a few issues. im a nervous jumper, because ive had a few falls at college and ive been shouted at by my instructors saying im useless etc...hence y my confidence is at an all time low! ive ridden racehorses etc b4 so dunno why this has happened. we only have a jump lesson everyother week and have mainly jumped a steady cob, but fell off him coz he started goin mad, fell off a horse that was green and ive never ridden b4 in my jump assesment, managed to jump the last and swapped horses but lost my nerve when it came to the jump i fell off at so had to stop! also i have no style, my upper body doesnt come back up in time and also my lower leg is 2 far back, ne ideas how to improve as i want to show them i can do it!i manage to get over the jumps just need to improve my syle! and my confidence, plz plz help me!

 

[Frazer]

Try and get a instuctor in that knows you and your horse, and knows exactly what you want and what to achieve. It sounds like youve had a couple of nasty falls. I had a fall trying to school a horse round a 1.20 open, and what i had to do was go back to poles, just for about a week, just in your normal schooling. Then do really low raised poles and very small jumps. But dont attempt anything bigger than about 2ft 3 on your own without an instructor so she can help you. It worked for me, im now jumping bsja again!!

 

[eohippus]

I agree, a few good lessons from a patient empathetic instructor will do wonders.
It is so hard to help from across a computer keyboard, but here goes, take one step at a time, train over low poles first to develop a better seat and position because by what you have said this is what is causing most of your worries and problems, you are well out of balance, you sound like your are tipping far too forward and pivoting on your knees loosing all your lower leg position, so as soon as the pony/horse backs off or stops you have no option but to carry on because of your position, hence the falls.
Try not to tip forward at all just give with your hands at first over small poles, pushing your heel into your stirrup as you go over, as if you were going to stand on the pole to help you over.
hope this makes sense and helps.
good luck
Dawn

 

[SSM]

Have you considered TFT? Google Jo Cooper and have a look at her website. I am having my first session this week, you sound just like me, if only a negative instructor knew what damage they are doing.

Also stop putting yourself down, if you are getting over the jumps that is the main thing the style will follow.

Good luck.

 

[SummerStorm]

I completely agree with what the others have said about getting a really good instructor - they can do wonders!

On your own though, how about practicing the jump position when you're schooling/out hacking? Start off just going into the forwards position in walk, then try in trot and then canter etc. finishing up with doing it over poles when you feel confident that your position is how you want it and you are happy to start with poles again. Then as you feel happier about it, start jumping really, really low cross poles and build the height up when you feel happy to.

Good luck and fingers crossed that you can, and will show your instructors what you can do!

~SF x

 

[kirst88]

Thanx for ur help. At the mo im riding a 14hh2 highland mare a cple of times a week just hacking and schooling so i think i will practice my position on her and ive also had a small jump of a m8s horses that she is loaning just over a small cross pole. Im ok after the first cple of jumps and i start to enjoy it but its gettin over the first one. ive jumped round a clear round and novice course at college and also a 3ft3 course near xmas(didnt realize till after) but then i started to have bad falls when they put me on different horses as i feel i wasnt prepared enough and they put me on a strange horse in my jump assessment so i was extra nervous!
ive also had a one 2 one lesson from a member of the yard staff on a horse that was quiet so i cld work on myself which was good. but i am also annoyed that i am there to learn and improve my riding and my flat instructor sits in the corner of the school on her fone txting, and we just school the horses so we dont benefit from it. everyone says i have improved which is something but i also feel like im not as good as the others in my riding group so feel very pressured. im going to take ur advice and see what happens. thanx

 

[Tempi]

i get really nervous jumping too - ive started having jump lessons with a lovely instructor a 5min hack down the road from my yard. Shes friendly and understands that i dont want to do massive fences. When she puts the jumps up she always checks with me that the height is ok and we work alot on getting a good canter going and my approaches to the jumps which then in turn makes the jump feel so much nicer.