who says flat jockeys can't jump?

[RachelFerd]

took my mare schooling at the links in newmarket yesterday in preparation for running her at fakenham on sunday.

I jumped her down the all-weather schooling fences a couple of times which she jumped well (no pictures, sorry!)

I then jumped off and legged the OH up to take her over the chase fences on the turf - the fences at the links are pretty full-up in size and probably a little more sizeable than your average point to point fence (certainly at the courses I have been to in the south-east)

OH has ridden under rules over hurdles/fences, but hasn't actually jumped a fence since 2005, he has only ridden on the flat since then. Well, he is wasted as a flat jockey, that's all I can say! He got her spot on down the three fences both times - really glad as has probably boosted her confidence a lot since tipping over with me at Parham.

Some vid stills -

how many flat jockeys would have the balls to do that? Not too many of them I think!

 

[Daffodil]

Richard Hughes and Eddie Ahern can. In fact Eddie Ahern is a brilliant all-round horseman!

 

[RachelFerd]

to be fair I have seen photos of adam kirby flying over hedges out hunting. Eddie Ahern likes to take days off racing to go hunting too.

When my OH got off though he pronounced he has sprained his thumb and thats why he isn't riding over fences anymore. Little does he know he will be made to get his jumps license out this summer!

 

[Scarlett]

She's looking good... when's her next run?

 

[Maloo]

Richard Hughes and Eddie Ahern can. In fact Eddie Ahern is a brilliant all-round horseman!

totally agree - Eddie Ahern is some horseman and I dont think anyone who has ever followed him out hunting would dare mutter that Flat Jockeys cant jump!!

 

[dieseldog]

I thought the only thing flat jockeys couldn't do was eat

Your horse is looking good

 

[MrsMozart]

Very well done the lad! And the lass

 

[Marydoll]

Well cool

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

She's looking great! Good Luck on her next run!

As to flat jockeys not jumping - most of them stay flat as they are too small and skinny for jumps racing and woul be carrying shed loads of lead under their saddle Graham Lee for example who now gone back to the flat because he couldn't keep his weight up for jumping.