How to Train a Show Jumper Champion - Grid Work for Better Jump

[Sewah1223]

where are you based??? by any chance do you do lessons in this kinda thing?? lol!!

[ValleYaBoy123]

lovley rider :) have you done much dressage? you and your horse have a really close partnership its lovley to see, and he also looks like hes loving the jumping well done at the competition x

[GupiestheBEST]

whats the distance between those jumps?

[treasureisland970]

@GupiestheBEST The diagram of the strides between fences can be easily reconstructed from the video, and then one need to adjust the distances according to the horse's natural stride.

[sailhobiecat]

Very inspirational. I was jumping the same layout you have in this video just this morning! I wondered, though, even if you raise the height of the second and last jumps in the grid, is it sensible to keep the heights of the bounce elements smaller? I decided to keep them smaller when I did it this morning and you did in this video even though your horse clearly is a pro at this (he's lovely) :D What do you think?

[treasureisland970]

@sailhobiecat Hi!Thanks 4comment! Hero is a TB and an ex-racer, and his biggest challenge was to regroup himself before the jump ("sit on his hocks"), not the jump per se. So this particular grid was constructed for him to remind often enough about using his hinds.The size of bounces does not matter in this case. Besides, the higher bounces would optically obstruct the view of the final oxer and bring the unnecessary soreness of the back at the end of the lesson. The golden median is the best!

[Sewah1223]

hey, youve done an amazing job with your horse!! :) i was just wondering, i have a 16.2hh thoroughbred and hes 14 years old. he has never been taught to jump at all in his life and i was wondering if you could give me some excercise or something that i can do with him to help gain his confidence? because i think he would be quite a good jumper just when they get any higher than about 65cm he starts refusing because he doesnt have the confidence, any advise? would really appreciate it :)

[treasureisland970]

@Sewah1223 HI, thanks for commenting! 14 y.o. TBs might have some sensitivity in the front feet (conformational or traumatic origin), so they have pains on landing, and hence start to refuse. Make sure he is totally sound and the ground is friendly. Support your horse with your tall body at approach (no jumping from the neck) and introduce him slowly and patiently. Remember - you hose must LOVE to jump and be strong enough (physically and mentally) to get to higher level! Good luck!

[Sewah1223]

@treasureisland970 thankyou so much. atm i have been in hospital and im not allowed to ride for 3 months but when i get back into it i will let you no how i go :) i think he should be an alright jumper but he just lacks the confidence and he lacks confidence in most things (wont go out by himself). will let you no how he goes :D

[mawazhere13]

wow!! amazing job with him :) Will this exersize help with a spooky horse that hesitates before fences and refuses sometimes?

[treasureisland970]

@mawazhere13 Hi! Thanks for nice comment! This is a great exercise for forward thinking horse: it requires total control and full confidence. If you horse is a bit hesitant, try easier way for him, with more strides between fences and quiet approach. Gradually increase the size of elements without making them too scary and uncomfortable. Be creative and patient, adjust the level of gymnastic according to your horse and your own riding. Good luck!

[mawazhere13]

@treasureisland970 Thanks so much! That helps alot :D

[getmeaponynow]

i wanna be a showjumper...

ive only done tiny jumps but i love it and i cant wait to go higher.

i WILL be a showjumper one day!!!

[MonalourSqueakxD]

hi; my horse need impulsion when jumping, also he struggles to find him strides which makes me work for them... hes a 5yo 14.2hh irish pony! he's fab and is a fantastic jumper.. i just need impulsion and our strides to be right before i can compete any higher than 1m.. any tips on how to help us x

[treasureisland970]

@MonalourSqueakxD Hi! I saw your pony in one video - very nice fellow! He has naturally a very stylish way to jump and get along - that is what we look for show hunter here in US: smooth, rhythmical, careful, with beautiful arch over the fence. Those horses are very pricey. Careful and organized flat work can improve the "impulsion" (activity of the hind legs), but forwardness it is something which comes with genes, i believe. You don't need to run to clear big fences, though. Good luck!

[Driftitjumpit]

hes awesome my instructor puts me thru these exercises but my horse really punches out with the rear and throws me off balance I know its to do with my lower leg contact and i need to seat just a little more forward off his back!!!

how is he going now your horse??

[meink09]

that was awesome !!! what a big beautiful horse, one day I will get my ex-racer as good as this (haha in my dreams).

[loretolassy18]

he is gorgeous :] your an excellent rider :)

may i ask,, i've got a 13.2hh pony and he rushes his fences quite a bit, he is an excellent jumper but he doesn't take his time. if i tried the same excercise that you did here, should i start it at canter or trot?

thanks :] xx

[treasureisland970]

@loretolassy18 Hi!Thanks for your comment! This kind of exercises requires trot at the start, of course - for getting the horse balanced and concentrated on the task.Easy to say than make - many horses get over excited and rushing at this job, so don't make too much of it to save his brains, use the technique of "jump-circle-jump" to let him wait for you. Hero here is also quite rushing, but he has perfect reactions and is extremely easy to adjust, so he can negotiate this line with no trouble.

[tenglish59]

Excellent - nice to watch a good partnership! :-)

[GranitPower]

great :)

good job with him.

i have the same work with my Granit :)

how tall is he/she?

[treasureisland970]

@GranitPower Hero is 17.2hands - around 177cm. He is a tall long legged guy. Yes, the gymnastics are perfect challenge and so much fun! Good luck with Granit! (hope to see your video soon!)

[equestrian968904]

he's beautiful (: and your an amazing rider! good job

[jeesssicaaannnee]

Nice horse, however, wouldnt you also agree for a 'better jump' you need to make your jumping position much softer and more consistent?

[NativeHiro]

Gosh he is lovely (its Madison) I didnt like using my sisters youtube name feelingalone29 just was akward! So I made my own. Cant wait to work on grids come summer!!

[treasureisland970]

@NativeHiro Hi, Madison, sorry it took a while, thanks for watching and commenting! Hope the spring is right around the corner, it was a bad winter :(

Saw your videos - bravo!Your Hero has made quite some progress and one can see you love him to pieces! Your dog is super cute, too! Hope to see more videos! Good luck!