I’m 12 years old and I won’t tell you how high I’m jumping now, but I’ve been riding for seven years, started jumping(like trotting over crossrails) was set back by an horrible accident later that year, and got back to jumping when I was nine or ten. My current horse can jump up to 4’6" and is 11 years old, an adequate mount. I ride a lot during the summer, but maybe only 1, 2, or 3 days every week during the school year, one being a flatwork day. Of course, then I see the eleven-year-olds who I have years of experience on doing five-foot courses and I’m like, how is that possible? All of my friends jump the same height as I do and we compete in USEF’s together, so I’m confused:confused:??? Any guesses on what I should be jumping?
well according to your other thread, you ride “in the junior and children’s hunters” at shows, so I’m assuming you jump 3 foot to 3’6"
You should be jumping what you and your horse are comfortable and safe jumping. I don’t care if your friends are jumping the moon, if you aren’t ready there is no point in taking the risk. You have a long, LONG time to move up the heights. Take your time, build your confidence, and don’t stress about it. Everybody learns at their own pace.
Without seeing you ride it’s hard to say but in all honesty, just don’t worry about the age/height of jumping correlation. I have been riding for 17 years and just recently moved up to the 1.25m level. Girls I showed ponies with are on the Olympic long list. Heck, girls that were born the year I started riding have already gone to the Olympics.
I’m not bitter, jealous or mad about it - I’m on my own path and so are you. Find what makes YOU happy and set realistic goals for yourself. You have the rest of your life ahead of you and the nice thing about this sport is, you can do it and do it well for the greater part of your life, unlike something like gymnastics or figure skating.
I think it was Roosevelt who said, Do what you can with what you have where you are. Think about that.
Do you have a trainer? Do you consider yourself a GOOD rider? If you ride only three times a week, 2 of those days should be devoted to flatwork only. NEVER jump large fences without supervision or a good ground person. You really need a good trainer. Where do you live?
[QUOTE=ponysnooper;7094680]
Do you have a trainer? Do you consider yourself a GOOD rider? If you ride only three times a week, 2 of those days should be devoted to flatwork only. NEVER jump large fences without supervision or a good ground person. You really need a good trainer. Where do you live?[/QUOTE]
Don’t worry I always ride with my trainer (who was voted into the top ten trainers on the East Coast) and, yes, I do consider myself a good rider. My trainer has taken people very far, I just wanted to know if I’m jumping too low for my age.
[QUOTE=Eatprayride;7094703]
My trainer has taken people very far, I just wanted to know if I’m jumping too low for my age.[/QUOTE]
Like I said, there’s no such thing in this sport. The 50-60 year old adult ammies are just as qualified to jump around their 3’ hunter courses as Reed Kessler is to jump at the Olympics. The beauty of this sport is, like I mentioned before, age really isn’t a big factor.
I would talk to your trainer about this, as he/she knows your skill level better than anyone online can. Ask why you are jumping what you are and what he/she thinks it will take for you to be ready to go higher (assuming that you are concerned you aren’t jumping high enough). Be open to hearing a critique and try not to get defensive. Find out what you can do on the flat to improve your position and your horse’s rideability.
[QUOTE=Eatprayride;7094703]
I just wanted to know if I’m jumping too low for my age.[/QUOTE]
Age and fence height are not correlated. If that were the case, I should be in the Olympics. 
[QUOTE=Eatprayride;7094638]
I’m 12 years old… My current horse can jump up to 4’6" and is 11 years old, an adequate mount.[/QUOTE]
Anyon else not quite convinced our poster is 12 years old?
[QUOTE=SillyHorse;7094825]
Anyon else not quite convinced our poster is 12 years old?[/QUOTE]
Why, because she can actually write a coherent sentence? Not all twelve year olds are chatspeak loving trolls…
OP, do not focus on how high your friends jump, but rather on how you are doing. Strive to make your flatwork better, to absolutely perfect your courses at whatever height you are doing, and you will be successful (and jump higher).
Not sure where you are seeing all these 11-year-olds jumping 5ft courses… Most 11-year-olds, even at the “big” shows, are still riding in the pony hunters. If you think most children that age are riding at that level, you are mistaken. In this sport, it is best not to compare yourself to others. Concentrate on making goals with your trainer’s help and working towards them.
:lol:I couldn’t get past the 11 year olds that are jumping 5 foot.
Hmmph I’m 26, been riding for 22 years and the highest I’ve jumped is 3’6. Those 11 year olds are kickin my arse :lol:
The better your flatwork is, the better your jumping will be.
Big jumps create a lot of wear and tear on a horse. The best horses barely jump at all outside of competitions.
Most of the skills you need to do well in jumping can be practiced at 2’ - 2’6", or even just over a course of poles. You can always make the exercise harder in terms of the turns and striding; you can work on skinnies and angles; you can add in transitions; you can take your stirrups away.
Jumping bigger jumps once in a while will build confidence for you and your horse, especially while you are learning. But you don’t need to do that often. I’m sure your trainer will raise the jumps when you are ready.
As high as your and your horse can safely manage, and as high as your trainer allows.
You said your trainer is very good–s/he knows more than we do. Trust his/her judgement. If you think you should be jumping higher, ask your trainer why you aren’t. I’m willing to bet there’s a reason.
As everyone has said, age doesn’t matter. (Well, to a point–if a 6 year old is jumping 4’, I’m going to say that’s not good.) I’m 28 and jumping crossrails.
I think it’s common for young people to put too much importance on jump height. I also think it is common for young people to compare themselves too much to other people.
My advice: stop worrying about jump height and narrow your focus on the quality of your riding. Whatever height you are jumping, are your courses perfect? Concentrate on making them so. What makes the big jumps doable is being able to ride extremely well between the jumps. Make the most of your time in the saddle: concentrate on the details, ride without stirrups, hone your flatwork. Don’t compare yourself to other people, it often isn’t relevant. Instead, worry about doing whatever height you are doing as well as you possibly can.
There is much excellent advice on this thread, I’d advise printing off some of these posts.
I am with you AliCat. I clearly don’t get out much, I can only think of a couple of kids doing 5’ jumps at 11 yrs old, and I think I just read about it in magazines. Those little mini- pro prodigy type kids.
Years ago I rode with a trainer that was all about jumping big during lessons.
The most recent years riding with a proven Hunter trainer height is not done often. Most of the work is at 2’ 2’6" and gymnastics of poles and cavaletties. The jumps go up at the end of the lesson if the horse is preparing for a show at a particular height; 3’6" for example.
But what I have learned and understand about jump height; it could be a pole on the ground and it’s how you get to it. Also, you don’t want to be jumping 4’ every lesson because it’s hard on your horse.
Maybe I am not understanding the world the OP is in?
[QUOTE=Eatprayride;7094703]
Don’t worry I always ride with my trainer (who was voted into the top ten trainers on the East Coast) and, yes, I do consider myself a good rider. My trainer has taken people very far, I just wanted to know if I’m jumping too low for my age.[/QUOTE]
Perhaps your trainer has you at the jumping height that you are currently capable of? Talk to your trainer. Not everyone progresses at the same speed or even has the aptitude for jumping higher jumps. Desire yes, aptitude not so much so.
I know people in their 50’s that have been riding all their life and they don’t jump higher than 2’9" so age is not a good barometer.
[QUOTE=pds;7094965]
Perhaps your trainer has you at the jumping height that you are currently capable of? Talk to your trainer. Not everyone progresses at the same speed or even has the aptitude for jumping higher jumps. Desire yes, aptitude not so much so.
I know people in their 50’s that have been riding all their life and they don’t jump higher than 2’9" so age is not a good barometer.[/QUOTE]
:yes: and horses too… I have a 16.3 hand gelding that was not capable to jump over 3 ft.
