Has anyone learn to jump for the first time in your 40s? Doable?

[Faye]

[QUOTE=BAC;7155581]
All the people I know who rode for the first time when they were adults were never very good. Still I don’t think you should let age keep you from being the best you can be. Some friends were just discussing this subject recently and they all felt that adults who didn’t learn as kids never were very successful.[/QUOTE]

My trainer said the same thing to me. I told her I haven’t rode for 15 years, and I look like I’m in my 20s so she had no clue that meant I rode I was in my 20s, not when I was 5…

[BITSA]

No way is it too late! I am a re-rider, but not a jumper re-rider. I grew up training riding and going AQHA english and western pleasure (tight elbows). I always wanted to do jumpers but we were a western family. 28 years later my daughter wanted to start riding and I took her to the closest hunter/jumper barn. I couldnt resist the pull of the horse and my inner-rider. So I started taking lessons too. It hurt for a few weeks, but now, 8 months later we just had our first schoolong show and were reserve champion long stirrup.

My best advice: be willing to switch trainers if you dont click (I had to do this once); find the right horse. I (probably foolishly) bought one about 4 months in (with my new trainers help and approval), and spend as much time in the saddle as possible. Nothin beats no stirrup work and lunge line lessons. A little trick for stiff elbows is also to keep your thumb bent–not sure why it works, but it does.

Have fun and good luck. Do this for yourself. Knowing I get to ride (and yes finally jump) makes all the long hours at the office worth it!

[PokeyRider]

I had a pony as a kid but no formal lessons, just bopping around the farm bareback. I started riding again when I was 40 and learned to jump last year at 43. This year I’m competing in local open shows at 2’3" and doing better than I expected. Not only have been finishing - I’ve been finishing in the ribbons. Whoo hoo! :D[QUOTE][/QUOTE]

Definitely go for it - and have fun! Like other posters have said, it’s different when you’re older. You can go slower and not feel like a weenie. While I may never jump over 3’ but, I’m having so much fun, who cares?!

[BBowen]

It is never too old to start something new. Just be realistic in your goals and know that your body is not the same as it was in your teens or twenties. I rode western as a kid, had a 25-year break from horses, and started riding English at 41 which included jumping. I am 60 now and still jump. Definitely not at the same level and have had some challenges and setbacks through the years. It doesn’t change my passion for my horse and my desire to continue jumping even at the lower levels. First and foremost, have fun!!!

[KateKat]

No, not too late for sure. One of the people I’m good friends with at my barn didn’t start riding/jumping until her 40’s. She has no problem navigating around a full jump course up to 3’, and even went to her first jumper show a few weeks ago and did really well!

I didn’t start riding until my mid twenties, and didn’t start riding seriously until about 4 years ago (seriously meaning regular jump lessons, a half lease, and then eventually buying my own). My original goal was never to jump, I just wanted to trail ride! But once you start its all downhill from there

I think the only thing to be aware of (which others have already mentioned) is to NOT compare yourself to the kids, the people who have been riding since they were kids, or the H/J re-riders. It is sometimes hard to see that 8 year old riding circles around you but just remember their little brains are like sponges, and they act more on instinct. One of the biggest struggles as an adult rider is to not overthink everything!

[CindyCRNA]

I am 51 and just started eventing this year! I had trail rode for the previous 15 years (not competitively) but always was the one looking for logs to jump and many of the other trail riders were afraid to ride with me because I rode too fast!. Last Dec, I bought a 17.2 warmblood and we started taking jumping and dressage lessons in Jan. After riding 9 months at least 3-4 times a week, 2 of them lessons, I finally think I have developed a decent amount of strength. My inner thighs have been sore for 9 solid months with no hope for relief in sight! I was talking with one of the 60+ year old ladies at the barn (who started riding for the first time 3 years ago) and we were talking about fear. Yes, as my freight train is barreling toward the massive wall that is 2’6" :lol:, my heart is in my throat…but I am totally in love with it.