JUMPING

Equestrian

6 Basic Tips forBeginners

Show-jumping (also known as stadium jumping or open jumping) is a veryimpressive sport, stemming from the group of English riding events thatincludes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. It can be done forexhibition, competition, or simply pleasure, but is usually a competitiveactivity. In the history of equestrian sport it is one of the newest classes.

While training horses has been happening for centuries, the BritishInclosure Acts of the 18th century meant that hunting previously done

with very few obstacles to jump now had to jump over fences frequentlyto follow fox hounds, as the act brought fencing and boundaries to thecountryside where before there had been only open land. As more and

more jumping training became necessary for a hunting horse, the sport oftraining jumping horses developed as well.

It requires constant interaction with an animal,patience to train gently and consistently, and a strongbond that allows you and the horse to execute movestogether. This may seem daunting for a beginner, and

you may wonder how exactly to start show jumping. Asa novice jumper, it is important to keep a few basic

philosophies in mind that will guide you through theprocess of growing within this sport. Here are a few tips

that any beginning show-jumper should know:

1) Start with flatwork basics.

Any jumping session should begin with a review offlatwork basics. Warm your horse up properly on theflat. Before you begin jumping, make sure the horse

moves forward and backward from your aids and cuespromptly in all three gaits.

2) If you’re introducing a new jumping concept, alwaysuse an experienced lead horse.

Don’t use a young horse to introduce a new jumpingconcept. Instead, use a horse who is already familiar

with the concepts. Horses are herd animals, so if ayoung horse sees an old wise horse do a jumping

concept first, the young horse will think the concept isokay, too.

3) Go with your horse, no matter how green his effort is.

Inexperienced horses have a tendency to jump in awkwardways. Make sure that you reward your horse’s endeavors no

matter what. You do this by following the horse in the air withyour upper body and arms. You should do this even if your

horse jumps from a standstill. Be prepared to grab the horse’smane or hang onto a neck strap. If you catch your horse in themouth when he tries to jump, the horse will quickly learn thatthis game is not enjoyable. If you reward and follow, the jumps

usually smooth out with practice.

4) Trot jumps first.

Trotting is a good way of teaching your horse to staycalm on the approach to his fences. It will also

encourage your horse to rock back on his hocks andjump in the correct manner. In the long run, trotting

will pay off in spades.

5) Don’t give your horse the option of refusing.

During the first several months of your horse’s jumpingtraining, you should keep the jumps so small that he can goover them even if he jumps from a standstill. If your horse

questions a jump, you should never allow him to turn away andthen re-approach the fence. If you let your horse do this, youare teaching him how to say no. Instead, you should quietly

keep your leg on until your horse can hop over the jump from ahalt or walk.

6) Find a ground person to help you.

You’ll need a helper on the ground, just in case you need tochange a grid or lower jumps. If you don’t have a helper, youwill have to get off of your horse and do these things on your

own. Your horse will have had way too much time to thinkabout whatever is concerning him in the time it takes you to

get off to change jumps and get back on.

Horse show-jumping is a complex sport, and you’re bound tcome across some obstacles along the way. But with these

helpful tips, a beginner horse show-jumper will be able to avomany common problems that people encounter when they’

starting out. Good luck with all of your horse show-jumpingendeavors!