My pony won't show jump!?

Question

Well, i have a great little TB-cob mare, and she is really speedy and really good at jumping, but whenever i enter her into the local showjumping competitions, she just freaks! She plants her back legs in the ground, and just stands stock-still! When i can get her upto a jump, she just gets slower and sloer and then stops!

I've had soom help from a trainer, who gave me a lesson on the jump course, and she was fine, but then on the night, she just won't move!

I'm not quite sure whether it's fear, shock, or just pure stobborness! What can i do to help her?

Thanks

Answer 1

Maybe she has stage fright. What you should try to do is practice with her some more at home and have a lot of people come to watch you, that way she'll get used to people being around. Try to set up the course like the one at the competition, and if it's loud there, have the group of people talk. The more people, the better. You might want to try fewer people first, and then build them up more as she progresses. If that doesn't work, then I'm stumped!

Answer 2

Take your horse to the show and school her. Let her feel everything and see every thing. After that call it a day. Do this several times. It could be that you feel different at shows to your mare! Where spurs, ride at a very low level, or whatever it takes to get you both comfortable. Take it slow and good luck!

Answer 3

she's a mare

mares aren't show horses

its hard to find one that consistently does the job right because they are too interested in males

Answer 4

well for starters, are you nervous?  I know I get nervous riding courses at shows and your horse can sense this, which if thats the case she's either nervous too or she's trying to take care of you! So if you think that may be the problem try singing the ABC's when you start the course.  You may be nervous without even realizing it.

Another common problem is the colorful, flower filled jumps they use at shows.  If she's not used to jumping these she's pretty likely to freak out when she has to jump them in an unfamiliar setting.  So when your at home find anything colorful, bright, and spooky looking to school her over.  Also make sure you let her look at all the jumps at shows during schooling times.

One last reason she may be freaking out is if she is not used to being the only horse in the ring.  if thats the case, you need to practice schooling her alone when you're at home.  Have another horse stand on the other side of the fence.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

she is probably just nervous because there are unfamiliar people and horses around. when you feel her start to slow down apply pressure, kick her with your heel, or use a crop. and when she finally succeeds praise her. i would bring her to different arenas or barns every once in a while so she will get used to unfamiliar people and surroundings

Answer 6

When jumping at home, jump as many different types of jump as possible. Do cross poles, straights, spreads, bounces, combinations, use fillers, gates....ect. Go and look at a local showjumping course and see what types of jumps are included, then go home a build a similar course, and off you go!!

When she is happy over these jumps, ask someone else to take their horse near the arena/paddock, and ask them too let their horse graze near the fence as you jump your horse, this will get her used to other horses being around, If you can add some more people around the arena fence.

I would then take her to a local show, but don't enter the class competitivly. Ask if you could take her into the arena after the competition is over. Walk her around and let her sniff and touch all of the jumps. before asking her to move into a trot/canter and jump the fences calmly.

Do this in a couple of shows then enter competitivly

Good luck

Answer 7

Try taking her to shows that she does not compete in.  Lead her around the crowds until she seems comfortable, and then saddle her and ride her around all those people.  She will get used to it after a while, and will be more confident.