Show Jumping

Question
QUESTION: I have a 12 year old thoroughbred that i don;t really no much about his background. I have had him for a year and a half now and we are starting to compete in some dressage shows.

The lady i bought him off said that he had never jumped and was only used for trekking after his racing days.
I have just started now teaching him how to jump, he jumps fine when he gets going in the school at the livery yard when he is on his own, but when we get to a show day he just refuses to jump at all. I have tried using a whip, voice, legs even someone behind to gee him up over it, but still nothing.

Could this be Show Shyness? and if so is there anything i can do.

ANSWER: Hi Donna

I have the same problem with my 22 yr old pure bred arabian mare....she will jump fine at home, but at shows, it's a no-go!  

He could be picking up that you are nervous....and that makes him nervous, which makes him stop, it's a vicious circle.  

Personally, I would just leave the jumping, and stick to doing dressage....makes things easier all round, and a lot less stress for both of you.

Either that, or try gettting to a few schooling shows, or having lessons with a reputable trainer will help with your nerves..just to make sure that you are not unconsciously stopping him.  

Hope this has helped hun, and if there's anything else I can help you with, then please feel free to contact me.

Emma xx

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Emma

A fellow friend offered to take him in a show today, and she is an experienced rider more so than myself. She was warming him up and he just wouldn't budge at anything she tried.

I'm going to keep trying with him as i know he can jump because he has done, i just want him to have a better life than he has done previously. I just hope i'm not going to push him too hard.

Answer
Hi Donna

Ah, this makes more sense.........sounds like he's had a bad experience at a show when he was jumping (could be a bad fall, being hit, anything really that has scared him) and he'll jump at home, but not at a show as he remembers this bad experience.  

take it easy, and start just doing one jump at a show....and praise him really well, start  it as a trotting pole if you need to, and every time he goes over it, put it up ONE HOLE on the jump wing, and praise him.....build his confidence, and you must be totally confident that he's going to do it.  

Soon, he'll be jumping again, and be confident doing it!

Hope this helps hun, and good luck.  If there is anything else I can help you with, please do contact me.

Emma xx