Jumpingfor joy
Whether you ’ re into shining in the show hunter ring , zipping round a show jumping course or braving it out across country you will probably agree that jumping takes confidence . Being confident doesn ’ t come naturally to everybody , but the good news is that we have a few helpful hints that can help you on your way to achieving your worry-free jumping goals !
find a coach who understands you
Having a coach that you trust is vital , and a really positive starting point . Your coach should encourage you and challenge you when you are ready . You should never feel pressured to jump anything you are not comfortable with . A good idea is to have a debrief before the lesson starts , and to be open and honest about your confidence levels . Remember there is NOTHING to be ashamed of ; if anything , you should be proud of yourself for committing to improve the jumping experience for you and your horse .
Start small
And we mean miniscule . Put a pole on the ground and step over it . Do it once on each rein and call it a day . Only make the jump bigger if you are absolutely 100 % happy with how you and your horse are progressing . If you get a fright and your confidence drops again , put the fence back down . Remind yourself that you are under no time pressure . It can sometimes be hard if you graze or ride with others who are jumping much higher and more confidently with you , but try not to compare your journey to those of other people . This is a process that cannot be rushed , and everyone has to start somewhere .
Breathe
Lots of people find themselves holding their breath when they get nervous . For horse riders , this is one of the least helpful things you can do up there . You can ’ t get any oxygen in so you tense up , your horse feels it , and I probably don ’ t have to tell you what happens next . Focusing on your breathing not only helps get oxygen to your brain , but it helps direct your attention away from what you are nervous about . Try breathing in for four seconds , holding it for four seconds , then releasing the breath for four seconds . This is a great strategy you can use to relax anywhere , anytime , even in the start box !
Practise , practise , practise
Sounds obvious , right ? It ’ s true ! If the thought of jumping turns you a little pale , the best way to get through it is to , literally , get over it . Incorporate small jumping obstacles into your daily routines . Whilst we do not recommend jumping 50 fences a day , popping over a cross bar or a log out on a hack can do wonders for your confidence . By “ jumping ” regularly , you repeatedly prove to yourself that you and your equine friend are perfectly capable of tackling obstacles together . This also helps you realize that the catastrophic events that you have imagined up are actually highly unlikely !