Training a horse for showjumping. [advice?]?

Question

my friend and i have been working our horses on jumping. about what height should you start at, for how long, etc? any other hepful advice about show jumping?

Answer 1

Good for you!

Well there are too types of jumping!

Hunter- This is for form and looks. You should make it look easy!

Jumping- This is for speed and trying not to knock down jumps.

Choose! I would start with Hunters!

Answer 2

actually the 3 types of jumping simply put are

equatation: judged on how you look

hunters: judged on how the horse looks

jumpers: a course given to you right before you class involving rollbacks, teardrops, lines, and angle fences. you are then timed, and the rider with the fastest time wins the class. each rail that your horse pulls is 4 points. nd you dont want points in your jumper classes.

what i would do is just set the jump up low, and work your way up .. then i would go to some local shows and do either long stirrup, begginers, or limit classes showing in hunters**

HUnters will get your horse points, you could win end of the year awards, and it makes your horse much more valuable.

i would jump around at 2"3 or 2"6 thats what the average hunter/jumper horse does.

Answer 3

Well real show jumping starts at level 0 (2ft 6in) so I would slowly work up to that...first he must listen to your aides on the ground VERY well) if you think he is very obedient then start trying a crossrail course, then 18', 2', 2'3, 2'6, 2'9 (you always want to jump a little higher at home than at a show)

DO NOT DO THIS IN ONE NIGHT lol build yourself up...it make take MONTHS before you/your horse get good enough to jump 2'6...some horses can't jump that high.

Do you have a trainer, or taken lessons for a good amount of time? Is your horse sound enough? Have good enough conformation? I would suggest a trainer to help you because all horses are diffrent and some need to jump 18' for months before moviong on, some take jumping more natrually and can be jumping 2'3 within a few months...think a few things through before you start REALLY getting into jumping :)

Good Luck Training xD

Answer 4

There are 3 main jumping styles. That people get confused.

Showjumping- is the extremely tall jumps. What they do in the Olypics.

Hunter- Is based off of your jumping position and how you control your horse.

Jumper- Is based on how your horse jumpers and it invaldes speed, turns and crazy jumps.

If you want to practice showjumping you need to start off with doing local show jumping classes. Then when you train at home make the jumps a little higher then the shows.

Practice many different  types of jumps. Don't try to jump 4'.

Let your horse gain their conifende over the smaller jumps so they will attemp the higher ones.

Also you may want to get a trainer that works on showjumping.

Answer 5

First off I would get a trainer. Jumping is not something to be taken lightly. But if you are bound and determined to do it on your own. Keep it low and slow. I would start out with poles and cross rails at a trot and work up slowly from there. Go at each horses pace. Sometimes it takes a long time for a horse to learn were to put his feet and others learn it in a day or two. Also keep jumping to a minimum. One to two days a week is best and 3 is max. It is hard work for them to jump and you are just asking for joint problems when you jump more. Most of all though, keep it slow. You dont want to teach them to rush. I train for jumpers at home at a hunter pace and work on tight turns and odd distances. We only add speed at the shows and not that much of it. You save time in your turns not by all out galloping. Again, your best bet is to get a trainer for all of your safety.