Anyone here an ex-hunter/jumper?

[Lucassb]

@gertie06

Hi dressage friends! I’m popping in from hunter/jumper land. I have a most lovely 14 year old Holsteiner who has been a very successful jumper over his lifetime. However, his maintenance needs are growing pretty extensive. Both my trainer and I feel that he may need to step down if we want him to have a long, comfortable life (which I obviously do). I have no interest in jumping little jumps. I have little interest in leasing him out.

But I’ve always had some interest in dressage. Not to blow smoke, but dressage riders are amazing. I want to ride like that. I want that connection and understanding with my horses. Plus, I dream of bringing along a young horse. What could be better for any sport horse than a foundation of dressage?

Are any of you hunter/jumper ex-pats? How was the transition? Do you like dressage? Do you miss jumping? What’s the culture like? Are the shows fun? I would love any insight y’all can provide. I’m really in the early stages of considering this, and thought it would be nice to ask your perspective.

I made the switch a number of years ago for similar reasons you are considering. My then-hunter/eq horse was getting older, had a “bad farrier experience” that resulted in some hoof challenges and needed an easier job. He was (is) a heart horse and I had always enjoyed flatwork so I thought it would be fun to explore dressage so we could still have goals and something to work toward.

Well, I never would have expected it, but OMG I fell in love with dressage - it is endlessly fascinating! And way, way more challenging / fun than I expected. My horse turned out to be quite suitable for lower level dressage and got me almost all the way to my bronze medal before I semi-retired him; I now have two other purpose-bred dressage horses that I am bringing along and I find I don’t miss H/J-land at all.

The transition was challenging - in a good way. It took awhile for me to lengthen my leg, and really SIT - something I still work on pretty much daily! But the connection, the subtlety of the aids and the improvement in my communication with my horses is absolutely and totally addictive. It’s been so much freaking FUN.

Dressage shows, IMO, are also way more fun - for a number of reasons. For one thing, there are RIDE TIMES. Yes, that’s correct! No more hurry up and wait!!! You know exactly when you are going to ride and it is FABULOUS.

Also, you get written comments from the judge for each test, so you know exactly, movement by movement, what went well and what did not. Also, since you get a score for each movement in each test, it is entirely possible to make even a pretty big mistake and still wind up with a good score and a nice ribbon! Unlike that feeling you get when you chip the first jump, or pull a rail… you are still in the game, so to speak, and can recover by putting the error behind you and continuing to ride the rest of the test to the best of your ability.

Our shows are generally also held over the weekend - no more having to take time off work because your class is scheduled on Wednesday. Well, I might ship over on a Friday afternoon to school. But the shows themselves are generally Saturday-Sunday. Yay! And BTW, dressage shows IME are sooooo much cheaper. I used to budget around $1500 per H/J land, and that was shipping myself. These days, I’d guess I spend a third of that! The braids are so quick and easy to do that a lot of people DIY. Lots and lots (most) people look after their own horses vs. having lots of grooms.

I have found the camaraderie at dressage shows is wonderful. Everyone is really riding against a standard, and trying to get the best score they can more than they are competing against the other folks in the class. There is lots of support and encouragement.

Oh, and there is BLING. I mean, not everyone is a fan, and that may or may not be something that interests you. But for me, the choice of gorgeous browbands, a little bit of sparkle from a fancy button on your show coat or what have you is also really fun.

Welcome to the bright side

[gertie06]

@Lucassb

I made the switch a number of years ago for similar reasons you are considering. My then-hunter/eq horse was getting older, had a “bad farrier experience” that resulted in some hoof challenges and needed an easier job. He was (is) a heart horse and I had always enjoyed flatwork so I thought it would be fun to explore dressage so we could still have goals and something to work toward.

Well, I never would have expected it, but OMG I fell in love with dressage - it is endlessly fascinating! And way, way more challenging / fun than I expected. My horse turned out to be quite suitable for lower level dressage and got me almost all the way to my bronze medal before I semi-retired him; I now have two other purpose-bred dressage horses that I am bringing along and I find I don’t miss H/J-land at all.

The transition was challenging - in a good way. It took awhile for me to lengthen my leg, and really SIT - something I still work on pretty much daily! But the connection, the subtlety of the aids and the improvement in my communication with my horses is absolutely and totally addictive. It’s been so much freaking FUN.

Dressage shows, IMO, are also way more fun - for a number of reasons. For one thing, there are RIDE TIMES. Yes, that’s correct! No more hurry up and wait!!! You know exactly when you are going to ride and it is FABULOUS.

Also, you get written comments from the judge for each test, so you know exactly, movement by movement, what went well and what did not. Also, since you get a score for each movement in each test, it is entirely possible to make even a pretty big mistake and still wind up with a good score and a nice ribbon! Unlike that feeling you get when you chip the first jump, or pull a rail… you are still in the game, so to speak, and can recover by putting the error behind you and continuing to ride the rest of the test to the best of your ability.

Our shows are generally also held over the weekend - no more having to take time off work because your class is scheduled on Wednesday. Well, I might ship over on a Friday afternoon to school. But the shows themselves are generally Saturday-Sunday. Yay! And BTW, dressage shows IME are sooooo much cheaper. I used to budget around $1500 per H/J land, and that was shipping myself. These days, I’d guess I spend a third of that! The braids are so quick and easy to do that a lot of people DIY. Lots and lots (most) people look after their own horses vs. having lots of grooms.

I have found the camaraderie at dressage shows is wonderful. Everyone is really riding against a standard, and trying to get the best score they can more than they are competing against the other folks in the class. There is lots of support and encouragement.

Oh, and there is BLING. I mean, not everyone is a fan, and that may or may not be something that interests you. But for me, the choice of gorgeous browbands, a little bit of sparkle from a fancy button on your show coat or what have you is also really fun.

Welcome to the bright side

This post inspires me!! Thank you!

[Lucassb]

@gertie06

This post inspires me!! Thank you!

Oh, you are so welcome. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

[TullyMars]

My daughter was a working students years ago with Joie Gatlin, she a few years ago had the most amazing dressage rider working the hunter/jumper horses 2-3 days a week, and they were some of the fittest, adjustable, supple, balanced group I have ever seen. She swore by the dressage to strengthen and build that adjustability. It made a very strong impression on both of us, and we have cross trained with our hunters from that day forward. We had a “horse of a lifetime” come into our family/barn that is a true dressage horse so it is taking a strong precedence at this point!

[dia916]

Hi, I am in my third year in dressage after riding hunters my whole life. I am in my mid 50’s. I am on the same horse in dressage as I rode in Hunters. I am going to share in list format my views.

1. Try to take some lessons on a “school” dressage horse first. Sit in the saddle, see what it feels like. It is unbelievably different than any conception you ever have had about dressage and/or flat work in HJ land. These horses are very hard to find. Go to an Eventing barn if you have to but try it out first for you. This may change your mind or, whet your appetite.
2. If you want to start learning dressage with the horse you presently have, make sure you choose to work with a trainer who is 100% onboard with that. 99% of the trainers I approached (low-mid-high level) wanted me to get a new “dressage horse” immediately. I opted to train with the only trainer who did not take that view. Her logic “You are changing disciplines, trainers, barns and saddle. If you like your horse and you have a great relationship, start with him. Most horses can do low level dressage. See how you BOTH like it before you throw the baby out with the bathwater” This was the most valuable advice I have ever received with regard to training. Also, ask about how many other “crossover” teams s/he has worked with. This matters.
3. Do not underestimate the physical toll dressage training will take on your horse. Even at Training Level your horse will have to reshape his entire musculature, lose weight or gain weight (fat and muscle), and he will get sore. If the soundness issues you are having with jumping concern his back, his neck, or his feet, for example, these issues will not be helped by switching to dressage. If you and your vet determine that jumping is the main issue he should not be doing, I suggest a full soundness work up with injections if needed, regular chiro, massage, adequan, whatever he needs. Get it all organized before you start. There will be bumps in the road. Take the training very very slowly. It is harder for them to change than it is for us in most cases. My horse needs MORE support training dressage than he did in jumping.
4. Keep an open mind and have fun! It has been a process but, my “hunter” and I are a very respectable 1st level team. It takes a lot of re-programming and a lot of patience, but if you both enjoy it, dressage can be as much if not more fun than jumping. Good luck!

[doublesstable]

@Lucassb

I made the switch a number of years ago for similar reasons you are considering. My then-hunter/eq horse was getting older, had a “bad farrier experience” that resulted in some hoof challenges and needed an easier job. He was (is) a heart horse and I had always enjoyed flatwork so I thought it would be fun to explore dressage so we could still have goals and something to work toward.

Well, I never would have expected it, but OMG I fell in love with dressage - it is endlessly fascinating! And way, way more challenging / fun than I expected. My horse turned out to be quite suitable for lower level dressage and got me almost all the way to my bronze medal before I semi-retired him; I now have two other purpose-bred dressage horses that I am bringing along and I find I don’t miss H/J-land at all.

The transition was challenging - in a good way. It took awhile for me to lengthen my leg, and really SIT - something I still work on pretty much daily! But the connection, the subtlety of the aids and the improvement in my communication with my horses is absolutely and totally addictive. It’s been so much freaking FUN.

Dressage shows, IMO, are also way more fun - for a number of reasons. For one thing, there are RIDE TIMES. Yes, that’s correct! No more hurry up and wait!!! You know exactly when you are going to ride and it is FABULOUS.

Also, you get written comments from the judge for each test, so you know exactly, movement by movement, what went well and what did not. Also, since you get a score for each movement in each test, it is entirely possible to make even a pretty big mistake and still wind up with a good score and a nice ribbon! Unlike that feeling you get when you chip the first jump, or pull a rail… you are still in the game, so to speak, and can recover by putting the error behind you and continuing to ride the rest of the test to the best of your ability.

Our shows are generally also held over the weekend - no more having to take time off work because your class is scheduled on Wednesday. Well, I might ship over on a Friday afternoon to school. But the shows themselves are generally Saturday-Sunday. Yay! And BTW, dressage shows IME are sooooo much cheaper. I used to budget around $1500 per H/J land, and that was shipping myself. These days, I’d guess I spend a third of that! The braids are so quick and easy to do that a lot of people DIY. Lots and lots (most) people look after their own horses vs. having lots of grooms.

I have found the camaraderie at dressage shows is wonderful. Everyone is really riding against a standard, and trying to get the best score they can more than they are competing against the other folks in the class. There is lots of support and encouragement.

Oh, and there is BLING. I mean, not everyone is a fan, and that may or may not be something that interests you. But for me, the choice of gorgeous browbands, a little bit of sparkle from a fancy button on your show coat or what have you is also really fun.

Welcome to the bright side

It’s so cool to read there are many that have made the change. I have as well and am loving it. I quoted Lucassb’s post because it hit so many things I wanted to say - including the BLING… ha ha. Oh and of course the cost.

I made the change starting with wanting to take a “cost” break. Then I decided taking the jump out of my horses day would be better physically for him anyway. I moved to a barn where they ride Dressage and it has been a great experience. My horse that I love to bits was considered a bit too “up” as a hunter so I did Jumpers with him for a while… then what I discovered with Dressage they want the horse active… so that works for me and my horse.

I find the Dressage riders are much more hands on vs the H/J barns which I enjoy anyway. I thought about going over a few jumps but I really need to establish the change in my seat/riding position before I attempt to get back in my jumping saddle. And I don’t miss the jumping…