jumping in hands?

I would like some input on a question I've been asking myself. I am a very experienced rider and I've only jumped 3 ft being the tallest. In my search for a horse and knowing that I want to eventually soar into the upper 5 to 6 ft jumps, should I be looking for a tall horse? I like tall horses and prefer 15-16hh, but there is a horse that I like and she is only 14hh. I'm only 5'5 so it doesn't feel too small to me but when it comes to jumping higher will it be a bad idea? I'm thinking this might pose a problem for a 6 ft course. Am I wrong?

If you want to jump 6ft, then I would look at horses that are at least 16 hands. Your average 14 hand horse would have a hard time jumping over 4 ft.

I definitely thought that too, just wanted a confirmation on that. Thanks

I would definitely look for something over 16 hands if you are planning on jumping over 4'. Not that small horses can't jump high, but if you are 5'5" you would probably be a little on the large side for a 14 hand pony, ecspecially if you were planning on jumping high.

6ft....thats 1.82m! If you were planning on jumping that high you wouldn't be able to do it on a 14hh pony....so you would have to look for something much higher - at least 16hh

I'm throwing this for a loop - Some of the best (although very few because the "trend" right now is that "bigger is better") jumpers I've ever seen have been 15.1-16 hh, so don't automatically think that you NEED a horse to be over 16hh to jump big. Smaller horses can collect up much easier than bigger ones, which makes a ton of difference.

In all honesty, you're probably going to go through a couple of horses before you reach your 6' goal - most Grand Prix horses (the 5' jumpers and up) are in the six-figure range as far as the price sticker goes. If you're only jumping 3' now, chances are your next horse won't be GP caliber.
Start looking for a 3'6" - 4' prospect or seasoned jumper.

Dont forget about teddy o'connor. He was a pony but he was on the shortlist for the olympics before he died of a freak accident. So it is possible to do it on a pony if he has the spirit for it.

Great grand prix jumpers for sale here easily jump 5'5" + www.stoneybridgehorsefarm.com - Horses for SaleHome*** About Us*** Lessons*** News * *

I 100% agree with your post. My first mare was 15.1 and could jump ANYTHING, and we easily kept up with the 16.2hh+ warmbloods in the jumper ring, and on the cross country field. I'm browsing around for a pony jumper right now and ponies CAN jump 4ft, but you really have to weed through them.

Not really sure how practical it is to look for a GP horse unless you have 100k+ to blow on a price tag, with oodles more money to spend on training, a class A boarding facility, trailer, etc. I would look for something with experience in Levels 1s and 2s if you're really serious about the jumper ring. You could find a horse like that very fairly priced in this market. Especially if you're a hunter rider, a nice packer at those levels would be the safest and most fun option IMO. I watch the GP vidoes on youtube and some of those horses look like nuts!

But good luck with your goal!