I have jumped only a few times and some of those have been by accident (horse's choice out on trails). I usually maintain my position, have gotten jumped out of my stirrups, but not anything that would cause fear. I currently work with a wonderful hunter/jumper trainer and we are doing flatwork and 2 crossrails - very low. I have these thoughts that my horse will trip and fall, altho he's only tripped once and the next time took a nice jump to be sure he cleared the crossrail.

I am 54, so that's part of the "problem." I know I can get hurt. My horse is very trustworthy, very capable, great mind, not spooky or afraid, will try anything for me. I can get in teh correct position, have spongy ankles and knees, correct hip angle, my shoulders are where they should be, I have great balance. But right before the crossrail I have a second of fright and I get a little stiff.

 A few years ago I took a few lessons from another trainer. She assumed because I was an adult, I didn't need all the basics. I could WTC (but not very confident about it). Well she put me on a little horse who loved to jump. Then we followed the other students - trot to pole, one canter stride and over a 2' rail. I did great, but it left me with fear. Seems kind of strange that altho the horse did exactly what he should and I kept my balance and enjoyed it, I was left with doubt, and that has remained with me.

So...suggestions? I am trying to think positive thoughts about what my horse will do over the crossrail, maintain my balalnce, look ahead, etc. I sure would like to conquer this soon! Because I think jumping will be a blast and I know my horse loves it. I have no intention of going any higher than my trainer gives me to do in lessons, and 2'6" will be my limit.

Thank you for any responses .

Hi - In your post you said that a few years ago, in a lesson, you could "WTC (but not very confident about it.)"  Has that changed, do you feel really solid and with your horse on the flat?  If not, that's the first thing to fix.  Even if you are much more confident now, the two classic exercises to improve your seat over fences are working on the flat in two point position (what we called "jumping position"  when I was a kid back in the dark ages), and working without stirrups.  The more of both of those you do, the stronger will be your position over fences as well as on the flat.  And that will improve your confidence as you approach the fence.  Some of the apprehension is probably the usual collywobbles that go with trying anything brand new for the first few times.  I remember that the first time I rode down a really steep slope (on a thoroughly steady and experienced horse)  I felt that few seconds of fright, too.  Now I don't think twice about it.  I'm sure if you keep working on little gymnastics, and on strengthening exercises on the flat, you'll have good experiences and the little thrill of apprehension will go away.  So just keep at it.  Also, at this point it's probably a good idea to only actually jump when your trainer's working with you.  Another thing to practice when you're on your own is to set up a "jumpless jump course"  and practice riding through it (more chances to practice your two point).  A "Jumpless Jump Course"  is where you set up the standards for a course, but leave the rails flat on the ground.  You'll be surprised at first how much you'll learn without actually jumping at all.

I wish you the very best of good experiences!  I my not very humble opinion, jumping a horse is as close as most of us will ever get to flying.  It's my personal very favorite of everything to do on the back of a horse.  I just wish I was doing it more.

MaryM43

I second the recommendation to just work over ground poles for a while.  Just practicing fitting them into a trot stride, or even a canter stride is a great confidence builder.  Get in your two point and trot over those things and realize that it's just a pole on the ground.  Another great exercise, if you have them, is to just trot over the flower boxes -- they're only about 3" high and a horse can easily trot over them without jumping at all.  Remember, every jump is just a pole.  Work gradually and stay close to your comfort zone until those poles become just a matter of course, like trotting a corner or walking up a hill.

 It seems likeyou may have the same problem that I have. You sort of strive to meet the teachers expectations. Most teachers actually push you because they want to know when yo'll tell them you've had enough. Some others are jerks and will still push but thats another story.

I would simply explain to your coach privately that you don't feel confident in yourself enough to jump so high. Major, my lesson horse, is the laziest one in the barn. He can almost trot in place if you don't have a crop- until he sees a jump. He throws his weight into the bridle and surges forward. If I tell him to speed up just a bit hes off at a canter. If I slow him down he goes into that REALLY fast trot/steping walk. I always ask to trot over fences a bit before cantering over them  because Major can get strong. Once he was going too fast, and when I tried to slow him we tripped. We were both fine but it left me a bit jarred.

Try not to freeze over jumps. I know I'm a jerk for saying so, but when you tense before take off the horse senses it. It will take his attention off of the jump and may cause him to trip. What my coach has us do is to sing a song. Trust me, you look really stupid, but it works. Or you could just laugh. Tell yourself a joke or something, what ever works for you. Trust your horse and yourself. Th hardest part about falling is only the ground. I've fallen about 3 times. Once when learning to canter (Major got strong again) and 2ce landing from a jump (Major tripped and Bella spooked). After falling I just don't seem to mind it anymore. I just hate the sore butt afterwards! 

 Thanks all! Actually it was a previous coach that pushed too much. Current trainer is wonderful, we work on our equitation on the flat and are doing alot of poles on the ground and yes those lowest crossrails. I'm still not confident cantering (but I am no longer afraid, just stiff), and we're getting much better keeping straight trotting over poles.

So no, we are not jumping right now and I know my trainer won't push that much. So we'll keep doing what we're doing now, and I rarely even do crossrails unless I'm in a lesson. And I think I'll just remind myself to breathe out right before trotting over a crossrail (vs. tightening and holding my breath!).

Happy jumping everyone, I'll get there sometime before I reitre! 

As the others have said flatwork and poles are a great confidence builder.  I used to freeze when I was learning to jump and something that was a big help was to think about what's next. I remember doing a couple of exercises that made me plan ahead and use my time in the air to think about where I was headed.  If I was trotting poles on the ground the moment I'd get into my two point that part of the exercise was done and I'd have to think about turning, circling, change of gait, etc.

One exercise in particular was a huge help.  My trainer would stand in the middle of (about two strides after) a jump or set of poles that I was approaching and when I'd get into my two point she'd lift her left or right arm to tell me to pass her left or right side after landing. Since I had something to focus on I didn't have that "uh oh, we're in the air, hang on!" feeling anymore. It really made me feel like I was in control of the whole process.  

 She'd also ask me questions on approach to a fence just to keep me in the moment.  Just silly stuff like what color is your mom's car, what did you eat for breakfast, what's your favorite pizza topping, etc.  A little distraction went a long way in keeping me from getting so locked into a jump that I would over think it.

Good luck and keep working at it.  It gets easier and maybe a year or two down the road 3'6" will be your limit! 

Definitely! I realized just this week that I tend to look down at the crossrail or the next pole on the ground. Duh! Now I look up, trust my horse to get over the thing (if he trips cuz he's not paying attention, I have had no problem staying on with a good position) AND LOOK STRAIGHT forward as far down the line as I can. Amazing how looking where you want to go keeps you balanced rather than freezing up.