Should I start jumping yet? I don't know!?

Question

I have been riding for about a year training in dressage. I really want to be able to jump as well. I feel confident and ready. Should I ask my trainer if I can try jumping soon? I feel ready!

Answer 1

U could have jumped 6 months ago.. '

go for it

Answer 2

yes, there is no reason to not have a go if you are stable with the basics.  It's great fun and provides fun for the horse too.  Something different to just flatwork all the time.  Good luck

Answer 3

Of course!! I started right off with Show Jumping and it's so much fun for me. If you have done dressage for a year then that will help a lot because you already know how to do things. So I suggest you ask your trainer. Have fun!

Answer 4

Yes! Dressage helps.

Answer 5

sure! you will start w/ small stuff anyway, and dressage is a great basis for jumping! have fun!

Answer 6

Well, that really depends on your comfort level and your riding ability.  Can you walk, trot, and canter in circles, figure-eights, and other patterns, comfortably and without hesitation or fear?  I only ask this because I believe that a lot of people get really excited and want to jump right away.  Some people develop/adapt/learn faster than others.  Honestly, my personal opinion is that riders should have a minimum of a year of flatwork before jumping, and I am so glad that you have had that.  It drives me nutso when trainers take green riders over jumps before they have an excellent seat on the flat.  That is not to say that people can't do it sooner, but it will be better, safer, and more enjoyable if you already have a great seat and are comfortable on the flat.  I'd hate to have you start jumping and then have a bad experience because your seat wasn't quite developed.

Anyway, a good trainer will know best anyway.  This is what I recommend.  At your next lesson, don't say, "I wanna jump, I wanna jump, etc."  Instead, say to your trainer, "I am really interested in learning how to jump.  I feel pretty confident, but you are my trainer, and you know best.  Do you think that I am ready for this from what you have seen?"  Then, I would take her advice.

In the beginning you will start with poles, cavalettis, and miniature cross-rails anyway.  You can always stop or stay at a certain level longer if at anytime you feel uncomfortable.

Also, if I were you, I'd maintain some dressage and do jumping--combined training.  That is what I do, and I find that it is so much better having the knowledge of both.  As most major jumpers will tell you, you ride dressage in-between the jumps (i.e.--collection, impulsion, etc.).

To sum it up: go for it!  But, if at any time you feel just the slightest tinge of fear, I'd slow it down.  You don't want to freak yourself out of it.  Oh and you can't be afraid to fall.  I had only fallen once before I started to jump...yeah, you will fall, eventually, and may fall, and fall, and fall again.  I have been flipped over jumps and thrown onto a stardard (that was the worst!), but nothing worth doing is easy and no pain no gain.

Good luck girlfriend! : )

Oh...P.S.--while in dressage you really work your thigh the most, in hunt seat/jumping, it's all about the calves.  So, be prepared to hurt while your calf muscles catch up...yuck.  Prepare yourself by doing calf raises (stand on the edge of a step and push yourself onto your tip toes, then drop your heels down below the step, repeat 10 times, several times a day) and do squats.  This will give you a head-start.

Answer 7

Asking is deff. the right thing to do bec. if she says no, she can help you prepare yourself to jump. My trainer made me w/t/c with no stirrups and tied reins. Also remember that somtimes you might want to shorten your stirrups a hole when you start jumping , and a good way to prepare is with ground poles and lots of gymnastics.

Hope I helped....Please best answer!

Answer 8

If you feel comfortable and your trainer allows you to then you should start.  start with like poles to get used to the position then do tiny X's and just take off from there.  Dessage is a great way to get balance and jumping is basacilly a balance thing and if you do dessage then you are probly ready for jumping :)

Answer 9

sure start small but make sure your horse dose jumping

Answer 10

Yes, your dressage will be handy, you can never be a good jumper without being good a dressage. If you can canter on the right lead, and it is balanced, trot is nice, then GO FOR IT GIRL! Ask your trainer if they teach jumping but yea, if you fit all the requirements, then go for it

Good Luck!

Answer 11

YEA! jumping is my life, soo fun! Talk to your trainer, if you arent ready she will tell you.  Make sure she is training in jumping as well, if she is a strict dressage only rider, go to another barn or trainer and take a few lessons.

Answer 12

Yes make sure your 2-point is strong. Make sure you have go with your horse. I love jumping so have fun!

Answer 13

go for it if you are ready!tell your trainer you really want to learn how to jump and start out with small jumps. if you keep practtising jumping then before you know it you will be jumping like an olympian :)