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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

If you saw an adult on a 16.2hh horse competing in a 2' showjumping class would you think they were utterly ridiculous and shouldn't be there?

32 replies

Smartieaddict · 16/07/2013 12:05

Just that really. I am just coming back to competing after a bit of a 15 year break, and I am quite frankly a bit of a wimp. I have a lovely horse who is capable of jumping round a 3' course quite happily, but I am not brave enough yet.

I am hoping to do a couple of local shows in the last few weeks, and I am not sure what classes I should be entering. I feel like I should be jumping 2'6'' and above, but I am not sure my nerves can take it just yet, so am I going to be laughed off the showground if I am doing 2' and 2'3" classes? Thanks.

OP posts:
50BalesOfHay · 16/07/2013 12:24

I would understand completely, as a fellow wimp. Might not look good if you beat kids on ponies though.

Hashtagwhatever · 16/07/2013 12:28

No I think most people would understand. Could also be a young horse gaining experience.

As said be prepared to be beaten by those speedy little ponies though. Good for you I say im a bit of a scardy cat now im older no way would I jump the size of jumps I would affiliated as a kid, now days.

ClaireandGeorge · 16/07/2013 13:27

Are there any clear round classes you could do? I did a lot of them when I was trying to restore a ponies confidence after a injury and there was allsorts of shapes and sizes jumping all different heights. For some it was even just a case of walking in the ring walking round looking at the jumps and coming back out again.

Gilbertus · 16/07/2013 14:19

Most 2' classes here have age restrictions - ie 12 and under but you can do them 'HC' - my dd1 did this for a season as she was 13 but a nervous show jumper. Obvs she couldn't win or get placed but it was great experience and this season she's in the 2'9 classes. Just tell the entries secretary and then the woman who writes the numbers on the board by the ring.

Gilbertus · 16/07/2013 14:22

HC means 'hors concours' - not in the competition.

lucertola28 · 16/07/2013 15:17

I wouldn't think anything of it, if you are just getting back into competing better to do something you are comfortable with. Clear round jumping would be good as you can just do what height you want to, no time pressure and don't have to worry about being placed against young riders on ponies. I am in process of getting a horse and will be starting off with around that height in clear round jumping at shows to get us both used to being at a show and doing a course in that atmosphere. There is plenty of time for you to go higher when it is right for you.

belatedmaybe · 16/07/2013 19:26

It wouldn't bother me unless you were going every week and winning every time! Having said that I would be equally cross if it was a child on a 12.2 pony doing that!

Everyone starts somewhere and it is supposed to be fun so enjoy Smile

burberryqueen · 16/07/2013 19:32

yes just do it 'horse conkers' - get some confidence without anyone whispering that u are stealing prizes from tiny tots.

PeanutPatty · 16/07/2013 22:29

Don't worry about anyone else. Bet you won't be the only adult anyway!

WillowKnicks · 16/07/2013 23:08

In my extremely limited experience with DD show jumping, there are pony & horse jumping classes. I think if you are in the horse classes it doesn't matter at all what size the jumps are.

Original poster
Smartieaddict · 17/07/2013 14:21

Thanks for all the responses. I think I will wait and see if there are a lot of children in the class. If there are I will ask about going HC, not that I am in much danger of beating kids on speedy ponies. Grin

OP posts:
loachey · 17/07/2013 21:18

Don't worry about it. I've been jumping against kids for ages. They think its funny! I've got "the fear" since a fall a couple of years ago so I doubt I will ever jump much over 2'3" and unlikely I will ever tackle a course with fillers in ever again so I have to stay novice. I just love jumping so I don't want to give it up completely. I've just been to a local show where there were loads of adults jumping in the novice 2'3". There are always novice horses that need to do the smaller classes and they tend to have adult riders. And there are loads of us older "novice" riders out there who might not be novice on the flatwork but when you stick fences in the mix...!! But you might find you are restricted in novice classes if you start winning as it is normally restricted by partnerships that haven't won anything before.

Littlebigbum · 18/07/2013 01:46

Lol you will never beat them ponies they are fast. But go for it, have fun and gd luck

horseylady · 18/07/2013 16:05

Wouldn't worry me. Unless you went weekly and won!!

I currently can't get mine over a pole......

Original poster
Smartieaddict · 20/07/2013 10:56

Well I won't be doing any jumping this weekend, I now have a horse with a hole on his hock, on box rest until at least Monday. Sad

OP posts:
BeQuicksieorBeDead · 20/07/2013 11:01

I wouldn't think anything of it, been there myself. Good luck and have fun!

dappleton · 22/07/2013 09:17

Go for it! As others have said, perhaps aim for clear round or from 'stealing' prizes if you're up against little children but if you are a nervous or inexperienced rider or have a nervous/inexperienced horse you need to start somewhere.
Good luck and hope you have fun!

CUnexttuseday · 24/07/2013 11:41

i only jump small classes after having my boys, our local show has separate horse/pony classes so the kids compete separate to adults

Ponks · 24/07/2013 23:56

I have done loads of tiny classes sj after a complete confidence crisis a few years ago. So I ended up doing a 40cm class! But I had a good time & it gave me confidence to go for the (deep breath) 60cm! Smile
You will find that there are lots of people in the same boat and everyone is very supportive.

Zazzles007 · 25/07/2013 01:00

OP I would think nothing of doing the same as you, and in fact did so a number of years ago. I was competing in an ODE on an experienced and quirky, but out of work horse, and did not want to over-face either myself or the horse at our first competition together. So I entered us in the 60cm class Grin. And besides, I had no idea how he would react to the sights and sounds of a full competition going on. It was good to just trundle around the comp at our own pace, not worrying about the height of the fences and such - at 16.2hh he could literally step over them at a walk if need be, and yes there were lots of kids in the class as well Grin.

So go for it! I think what you are doing is completely sensible and would be a stepping stone to where you want to be. People under-estimate the effect of competition nerves and managing horse in the competition environment. It can be daunting when you are coming back from a long break from horses. You may only need a few comps at that level before you decide to upgrade to the next height.

Good luck, I am envious! Grin

Pixel · 25/07/2013 22:35

I'm hoping to have a go at a clear round in a couple of weeks and will go round the lowest course possible. In fact they will probably be more like trotting poles. I'm sure there will be loads of tiny tots charging over them like Thelwell on speed but I don't care Grin.

Mermi · 25/07/2013 22:42

Wouldn't think anything of it. A few classes have junior and senior sections now too as well which makes me feel less guilty if I enter a smaller class.

I was helping fence judge at an ODE the other week and you'd be suprised at the amount of adults on large horses doing the 1'6. Smile

Yorkieaddict · 26/07/2013 10:43

Thanks all, it is good to know I am not the only one. As soon as Dhorse's leg has healed up I will go for it guilt free! Smile

lovebeansontoast · 26/07/2013 13:42

Go for it! Can't possibly be any more embarrassing than me on my 15hh welsh section d doing a very small clear round class at a local show, and having to have a friend running round doing the jumps in front of us before my numpty boy would go over them. Bless them they gave me a rosette for going clear. Blush
Jumping is so not our thing. Grin

KallieT · 16/10/2013 16:36

Nope - Go for it!!
I recently took my youngster to his first show and we trotted around the kiddies jumping course - all X pole type jumps and didnt feel at all silly!
I know full well my horse could have gone in to a 'proper' class but I was wimpy about it and opted for the fun stuff instead! Good Luck!

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