Jumping in Horseback Riding

 
Many beginner riders are attracted to the sports of stadium jumping and crosscountry jumping. Field hunting and hunter shows are very popular as well. Even Western riders face the occasional jump whether in trail classes or riding out on trails. While you might not want to make a career of riding horses over jumps it is valuable to know how to go over a jump in a way thats safe and comfortable for you and comfortable for your horse.
Jumping Is Optional
Having said that however its important for beginners to understand that you dont have to jump even if you only plan to ride English. There are lots of disciplines that English riders can participate in that dont require jumping such as dressage English pleasure equitation and flat classes such as road hack le tree distance riding mounted games polo and polocrosse. Nevertheless for the reasons mentioned above it is good to know how to approach and go over a jump.

Of course youll want to be wearing an approved helmet proper boots and make sure your tack is in topnotch condition. You dont want to find out that a worn girth strap wont hold when youre coming down out of a jump. Many riders shorten their stirrup leathers a notch or two but you might not feel the need to do this until youve been jumping small heights.
Even if you decide you want to learn to jump you should never feel pressured. Its not unusual to see riders mainly kids who are clearly not interested or want to jump but are scared feel pressured and as a result are unhappy. Jumping adds a lot of risk to horseback riding and safety should always be the first priority. A rider who is feeling pressured and insecure isnt a safe rider. You want to go over jumps fully committed and confidentnot halfhearted and nervous. In any horse activity you should be safe and you should be having fun.
If youre scared youre not having fun. Whether you take three months or three years or perhaps decades to learn to go over jumps doesnt matter. Your instructor or coach should be willing to go at your pace and not compare you to other riders.
Develop a Secure Seat
Your first step in learning to ride over jumps is to work with a coach or instructor to develop a secure seat at all gaits from a walk