Is it to late to learn to showjump

Question

I'm 18 and never been near a horse, but I have this desire to showjump and race racehorses at top level, not the olypics, but way up there. Am I to old to have a dream that big. Showjumper's riders begin jumping at like age 6.

Is it too late?

Answer 1

No its not to late... cian o connor, is one of irelands best showjumpers and he didnt begin to ride till he was 17... And well race riding is  alot easier to do at top level than sow jumping... but to get to the top of either sport you need alot of money or really good sponsors...

But yea if its something you really want to do go for it!!  

Answer 2

It is never too late to start but to be perfectly honest, show jumping and racing are two very different fields.  I see absolutely no reason why you can't achieve both but consider this.  Both fields require tremendous amount of time and effort so it may not be feasible to pursue both.  Show jumping is limited mainly by resources and ambition since anyone can buy a horse and start showing.  Riding racehorses however, is a much more cutthroat endeavor.  First off, you're going to need to weigh in the neighborhood fo 100 lbs to even be considered for a race jockey in the US.  Then there the fact that you'll have to prove yourself by starting as an exercise jockey with hundreds of other hopefuls.  If you're really good, you'll be able to start running races at very small events like county fairs.  You'll have to be superb to be hired on with a trainer rather than just in the jockey pool in the racing office.  

If it were me, I'd grasp show jumping in both hands and run since it will likewise require tremendous effort to train yourself, your horses, and be good enough to be noticed by the top stables.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

i  started riding at 12 and ive already won a lot of state showjumping championships and such

it all depends on your training

and a lot dont start at 6

ian millar is one of the best showjumpers in the world and he only started at 10

and same with lamaze

if you have natural talent, good instruction, and eventually get a horse that can take you there, you might do well

Answer 4

It's never too late, and all showjumpers don't start at six. Go for it! The only reason why people don't achieve their dreams is because they don't try, or they don't try hard enough. So give it a chance! Good luck!

Answer 5

It's never too late, you should go for it! It takes some practise, hard work, and patience, but you'll learn it in no time. Good luck!

Answer 6

Its never too late to do anything! Go for it!  

Answer 7

its never to late to follow your dreams. i think you should go for it if your determined to do it. soi think you should do it! you never some day you might even become a national champion show jumper!!!!!!!!!! So follow your dreams they will never let you down!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

I started jumping at the age of 11 and know I'm 15, If you want to start to learn to jump, first you have to get familer with all the horse "terms". Go to you local libary and find a book on beginner horse riding. and that will tell you all the "Terms". Then find a Riding instructor in your area or go to a local barn that teaches lessons. I took 2 yrs of lessons at a barn and then I moved and got a horse, and now is teaching him to jump. Jumping is one of the most dangerous sports but also one of the most exciting and breath taking (the take off and the landing).  Jumping also takes alot of strength in the legs and back, if you don't have that know, thats okay cause you will gain those muscles eventually.

I NEVER regret persueing jumping as a disipline.

Answer 9

It's definitely not too late.

Michael Matz, trainer of Barbaro, first sat on a horse when he was 16.  He's now a six time national champion show jumper and Olympic medalist.  Oh yeah, and he won the Kentucky Derby the first time he entered a horse in it.  :)

It depends entirely on your dedication to the sport... this is a sport where your age will not count against you.

Answer 10

I am 17, and want to do the same thing, but I found out that as long as I am willing to put the hours into it, I can get to some of the top levels in a few years.  

Just start with your basic riding lessons and go from there.  The people who have grown up with horses do have an advantage, but you don't need to be a certain age to show a horse!

Answer 11

It's never too late if you're determined to do it. I'd probably stick to showjumping though. Riding racehorses is a rough job. Find yourself a good jumper trainer and go from there. Have fun!

p.s. - I'm a show jumper and I started riding at 10. Didn't even BEGIN to take it seriously until I was 15, when I found myself a qualified trainer. So you're not that far behind :)

Answer 12

Its true since most of the top riders started riding very early, that you will be at a disadvantage having 10+ less years of experience. But anyways, its not too late to start lessons. Better late than never right?