Want 2 start jumping(how many times i said this?)confidence tips plz!

[mickey17]

Having battled away for the last 12 months with not much sucess in the dressage arena i am desperate to start jumping again. Bit of background, i use to jump quite a bit, did a bit of BSJA before having a run of falls, some jumping, some schooling, hacking etc the last fall was over a fence and it really shook me up, i have jumped a couple of times sine but went from jumping 3'3'' classes to 2' classes, then have had a huge break from jumping on the understanding if i didnt enjoy it i should try some thing else! Have been doing a bit of dressage but miss the buzz i use to get from jumping and think my horse does to! His not the horse i had the fall with, she was a bit sharp so after i had lost my confidence i sold her for my present horse who was only a baby but much more laid back in his ways! I need some exercises to get my confidence back, i have tried a couple of times but each time fail! have got a good instructor on board now to help as well ( jumping starting next week in lessons) but need some ideas for in between and any ways other people have combatted nerves- - any advice would be great !

 

[Nickijem]

You sound much more experienced than me at this jumping lark so I'm sure you do this anyway but what helped me was to seriously not look at the jump (after you have got your line!) but to concentrate on getting a really nice canter then focus on something in the distance then let the horse do the work! Start this over very small x-poles.
Good luck - you'll soon start loving your jumping again I'm sure.

 

[mickey17]

Just so stupidly nervous now i worry constantly ill hit the fence wrong and my horse will get him self out of trouble ( his very good jumper) and ill be dangling around his neck, my balance seems so variable since i have gained weight ( trying to lose that to!) quite happy not to look at the fence !

 

[kombikids]

get as decent sympathetic instrurctor for a start
also maybe goto a school to have lessons on something safe - even if to make it easier mentally

good luck

 

[7888]

This is meant to be fun - get yourself a lovely experienced horse - probably on the way down from Grade A , then do lots and lots of grides - can't be wrong in those ! Try Bach 's remedies for the old nerves and just work away at things - it does not matter that you can be jumping sone old super grand prix chap so long as you are both having fun - he will love the lack of pressure and together you will learn to relax and enjoy yourselves !


I took on a major grand prix horse - 68 international grand prixs, twelve Nations Cups and four Derbys - we just do 1.20m speeds and we both love each other to bits ! By the way, he is twenty and I am 44 years of age - so its geriatric all round ! He is actually a very famous horse and it took me ages to stop feeling guilty about jumping him at such a low level but he loves it and rescues me so many times - I have now realised that he loves it too and we have great fun together.