"Giving up" jumping in favor of dressage

[SadieRidingHorses]

I’ve been back at riding after a decades-long break for about a year now. I started in a h/j lesson program, and eventually found my way to a lovely eventing program. Over the winter, and on a bit of a whim, I started taking lessons with a pure dressage trainer, just to get more saddle time and to one day make me more competitive at eventing. I’d been looking for a half lease for awhile at that point, and dressage trainer happened to be the one to find me one. Half-lease horse has a strong jumping/eventing background, but due to some soundness issues, we’ve held off on jumping for the past couple of months. In the meantime, I’ve continued jumping on lesson horses at eventing barn.

A few things have happened that have made me consider “giving up” jumping in favor of dressage.

First, I ADORE, and I mean, really ADORE lease horse. I have the option of riding her more often, and I’d like to do that. I feel a real bond with her and am sad when I can’t see her for a few days.

Second, I went to a dressage show, and I LOVED IT. Tests that I get to memorize in advance! Written comments! Lots of sparkles! I had terrible show anxiety as a junior, and while I was anxious at this show, I mostly enjoyed myself. And I cannot WAIT for the next one.

Third, while I adore eventing program (trainer, lesson horses, facilities are excellent) , it’s been harder to find a lease horse there, and I’ve felt that my progress in lessons hit a plateau, and has now regressed. I feel less confident even though I’m much fitter than I was in the spring. And, I don’t feel a strong bond with any of the horses there, or that I’ll be able to show or clinic, things I’m interested in, without at least a half-lease.

I’ve got limited time (regular work travel) . I’ve started wondering why I’m trying to stick with two programs. Focusing on the lease horse, and dressage, seems like a lot of fun. But I do feel that I would miss jumping, and also that I might be conveniently “giving up” because of recent confidence issues.

Thoughts/perspectives/advice on what you did if you found yourself in a similar situation?

[4Frogs_aLilypad]

My vote is for sticking with the lease horse! It sounds like you really like her and are having a blast and that’s priceless

[SadieRidingHorses]

@4Frogs_aLilypad, I do really like her. She now owns more styling products than I do! She’s lovely to ride, and spunky, but still safe for my very amateur confidence level.

[furlong47]

You can always go back to jumping later if you miss it, if a better opportunity arises, or if the soundness of lease horse improves. There’s nothing wrong with trying out a new discipline or even staying with it permanently if it turns out to be a better fit for you.

[Janet]

I would focus on the dressage barn.

Many years ago, my aging (20+) eventer started having some vision problems which made her sometimes misjudge a jump, and I switched to doing just dressage with her. We had a ball, were successful competing at second level, and schooling all the third level movements.

There will always be an opportunity to pick up jumping again if you miss it.

[Gardenhorse]

Agree with everyone else. Ride the horse you’re enjoying. Jumping will still be there if you find you miss it. And the dressage will come in handy if you do go back to jumping, which is really 90% flat work anyway.

[Horselove5]

@Gardenhorse

And the dressage will come in handy if you do go back to jumping, which is really 90% flat work anyway.

Jumping is basically dressage over obstacles and the basis for everything.

@SadieRidingHorses

Thoughts/perspectives/advice on what you did if you found yourself in a similar situation?

Go ahead and do what makes you happier atm. I did exactly that - converted from the jumper ring to the dressage one… and I love it. Don’t even wanna show, just learn together with the horse.

[RedHorses]

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s that nothing is permanent. You did eventing, hunter/jumper, and now dressage has piqued your interest.

I did general flat and jumping lessons before I owned, then trail rode my first horse. Got into dressage with horse #2, then moved to a H/J barn to develop his hindquarters with some jumping and showed Hunters, until we found an old injury a few years later that put an end to him jumping. Went back to dressage and remembered how much I enjoyed it. Horse #3 started off in dressage, did some Hunters, more dressage, evented a few years, trail rode lots while continuing our dressage education without showing. I’m starting into Endurance riding now with my dressage bred and intended horse #4. #3 would have been a great Endurance mount had we found the sport sooner (he’s retired from competitions now). I’m still advancing #4s dressage training even as we progress in Endurance.

My point being - follow your heart and do what you enjoy with the horse you love. There’s no telling where your road will go next and you may return to jumping in the future - if that’s what you want to do then.

[SharonA1]

Who cares if part of – or all of - the reason you’re considering switching to dressage is because of confidence issues? So what? Confidence issues are a perfectly good reason for exploring a different riding style. It’s good to mix things up! Keeps the love of riding fresh.

[exvet]

I left jumping from a competitive side (hunter/jumper and combined training) years ago in favor of dressage due to a horse I had at the time and have never really looked back. I do still use my skills learned in the discipline(s) to teach all that I’ve put on the ground to jump, makes them more marketable and helps with their dressage. I will also occasionally compete in Prix Caprilli classes when offered and hunter paces (love them). As others have said you can always go back if you find that you miss it too much or find a partner who really thrives with jumping. Ride the horse you love and love the horse you ride. That’s what keeps this hobby fun.

[2tempe]

I did the switch about 15 years ago. Two reasons: My big hunter mare wouldn’t stay sound over fences. She did hold together a few more years as I started trying to get a grip on dressage. Second reason - I was bored with hunters, and did not have a good enough eye to move up to Ammy Owner even if the mare had stayed sound.
Agree with others - do what is fun and makes you happy. You can learn forever in this discipline.

[ThreeFigs]

I started riding instruction with an old Hungarian who insisted I learn both basic dressage and jumping. As time went by, I started to focus on dressage for several reasons. I enjoyed jumping, but never felt like my timing and position were all they could be. One of my horses was downright dangerous and somersaulted over jumps three times. Lucky me – I was always loose in the tack and fell free of him. At the H/J shows, it always seemed like I waited forever for my round. With dressage, you know exactly when you go (barring bad weather). Same with eventing, which I also did, a little. it’s been a lifelong pursuit and I’ve loved every minute.

[Texarkana]

I understand soundness issues, and I don’t want to make assumptions. But if the horse is sound for regular W/T/C flatwork, the horse is sound to pop over little grids and courses from time to time. I don’t get why you would have to “give up” jumping entirely. Scaling back to do less frequent jumping at lower heights I completely understand. But jumping and dressage aren’t mutually exclusive.

Sorry if my tone sounds a little irritated. It’s not towards you, OP. If the horse owner says no jumping, then you need to honor that request. I just never understand why so many people think dressage is less demanding on the body than jumping in any form. Proper dressage, especially if advancing up the levels, is quite demanding on the body. That’s part of the reason a lot of horses “hate” dressage: trying to balance and use their body makes them uncomfortable as opposed to going as they please over fences.

[eightpondfarm]

Glad you are moving toward dressage! *for the horse’s sake. (i’m completely prejudiced against jumping, i admit it)

[ThreeWishes]

Why? Honest question no snark intended. My background is in hunters, Foxhunting, and most recently adding in dressage. I trail ride every weekend and had a blast swimming my horse in the lake yesterday. Physical activity especially when you pursue a discipline in the show ring requires fitness. Be it dressage, hunters, jumpers etc. and Dressage isn’t any more or less impactful than jumping, in the broader scheme of things. A sound healthy horse isn’t more protected by solely doing dressage vs jumping.

[eightpondfarm]

Like i said, it is my prejudice that jumping is not the coolest way to enjoy a horse without causing harm. If i had to make a list of not-so-great things people do with their horses, jumping them would be kinda high on my list. You like jumping your horse, by all means, go for it. Me, i will not be doing that. It’s not necessary that everyone thinks what other people do is wonderful you know…

[ThreeWishes]

Do you realize how a horse properly doing dressage not napping along on its forehand but true dressage uses its body? It’s really no different than rocking back for a jump. And yes I understand people have different opinions. I just think that there is this weird notion that a horse unsound for jumping would somehow be saved or suited for dressage. Both at the lowest levels are pretty benign. As one progresses in height or beyond first/second level then there really isn’t one that is more protective than the other if the horse isn’t sound or for long term soundness. I imagine a weekend trail rider could take a horse and hurt it if ridden poorly or the horses fitness isn’t addressed.

[SadieRidingHorses]

Thanks so much, @Texarkana, and I appreciate your perspective on this. To clarify, when I say “jumping”, I mean pursuing it competitively, either in the jumper ring or eventing. Cavelittis and small grids and popping over things in the field are still on the table. But again, I appreciate and agree with your perspective-dressage has been quite the workout for me, and the lease horse!

[eightpondfarm]

@ThreeWishes

I just think that there is this weird notion that a horse unsound for jumping would somehow be saved or suited for dressage.

Whut? Not my point of view, maybe someone else you are meaning to respond to? I am saying that i have a prejudice against jumping, period.

[ThreeWishes]

Okay. Why ?
Ps I’m not a dummy. I’m just responding to your entire post. There’s really no gray area. You said jumping is bad and you value dressage. I’m saying you’re misinformed if you think dressage isn’t as taxing on a horse.