Thoughts on Jumping 8/3/10

"Straightness" is something we often refer to in the dressage world. It is one of the 6 elements of the dressage Training Scale. If something is wrong (not due to injury or psychologically) it is due to a weak area in the scale. 


Let's face it. We don't all bring our horses along like they do in the classical dressage world. Prix St. Georges level dressage tests aren't everyone's (realistic) goal, but jumping is something that is done by a fair amount of horses and riders alike. I am not a professional trainer, but I offer an explanation of my perceptions and experiences in this blog. 


Forward
It's hard to make it off the ground with the proper momentum to actually jump. Obviously! But we forget so much when we're coming to a fence. In fact, we can forget everything and often do! Here is a short list of things that will help you successfully get you and your horse over that fence if you're drawing a blank:

1) Do whatever you have to do to get your horse in front of your leg.
Keep her/him going forward. Don't be "working too hard" because it will make your release over the jump less fluid which could in turn throw you both off balance. A little tap with the whip or kiss might do the trick--but make sure you don't flatten out and run with your nose out at the fence.


2) Make sure your horse is straight.
Sounds obvious, but having your horse truly straight will help set you up for a successful take off. A horse can't clear a jump if his/her body is not straight. Think about it: could you jump something well if you aren't completely facing what it is you have to jump? 


This doesn't mean their head has to be straight. Bend your horse's neck to the inside and outside to keep their attention and self-balance. Remember they, too, can get focused on the fence just as much as you can and forget what they're supposed to do. It's up to the rider to keep both brains in check! If your horse is aware of where his/her feet are he will be able to jump practically anything. 


3) Get onto the haunches.
A form of collection--MUCH easier said than done but an essential part of jumping, especially as you start going over higher fences. Bending your horse to the inside and outside, floating your reins in intervals and making sure your shoulders are back will help pull your horse underneath him/herself and be traveling uphill. 

These 3 things (and there are certainly more) have helped improve my jumping as of late. I have a green 6YO Thoroughbred who is building his confidence jumping. So if you're riding a green horse or training, do the best you can and as my friend Sandhya Johnson says: enjoy the small victories!

I'm also a firm believer that the more risk you're willing/able to take the more you'll succeed in future endeavors. So be brave and have confidence in yourself and your horse. If your horse feels that you're nervous they will try to "save" you and perhaps refuse a jump or make a decision they're not prepared to make themselves, so be assertive and deliberate and leave the important decisions to yourself.