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Grand Prix.. Any tips?!

4K views 22 replies 5 participants last post by  justjump 
#1 ·
I'm going to do the grand prix level 0, 1, and 2 at the next hunter show I go to, which will be in a couple weeks. Any tips? I've done the level 0 and level 1 and won both times I went in. My horse seems to love the colorful fences, hills, bigger arena etc. But does anyone have any newbie tips?

My goal this year is to make it back in the AQHYA Jumpers at the youth World this year.. Last year I got 8 faults with 3 time faults, and the year before I fell off due to my complete nervousness and bad positioning (first year.. ugh.) But recently, my horse has been feeling great, jumping better, and more willing to go forward when I ask him to, so I feel like this goal is a little more reasonable now! We won the Congress in the youth jumping this year.. Probably the best moment of my life!

I feel like my horse could be great at the jumpers/grand prix, so I feel like I should ask for some tips:D

I'll be sure to get someone to videotape my go so you can let me know what you think!

Thanks everyone:):-p
 
#13 ·
If you can, get out to as many shows as you can, both AQHA and non-AQHA shows. The more in-ring practice you get, the less nervous you will be by the time Worlds rolls around. Falls and rails happen! We live and learn from them.

When I rode jumpers, unless it was a speed round, I treat it like I'm riding a jumper equitation course. Focus more on putting in a correct ride, and tighten up the turns where you can. Treat the first round of the Mini Prixs (or "Grand Prixs" in this case) like any other jumper course. Just because it's a special class, you don't need to panic in the first round. The jump offs are where you can really shine, if you have a very handy horse.

For me, I felt that if my rides weren't coming together in the jumper ring, I'd go back and play in the hunters for a while. Hunters will keep you honest, if anything, and a change of scenery can be nice.
 
#14 ·
If you can, get out to as many shows as you can, both AQHA and non-AQHA shows. The more in-ring practice you get, the less nervous you will be by the time Worlds rolls around. Falls and rails happen! We live and learn from them.

When I rode jumpers, unless it was a speed round, I treat it like I'm riding a jumper equitation course. Focus more on putting in a correct ride, and tighten up the turns where you can. Treat the first round of the Mini Prixs (or "Grand Prixs" in this case) like any other jumper course. Just because it's a special class, you don't need to panic in the first round. The jump offs are where you can really shine, if you have a very handy horse.

For me, I felt that if my rides weren't coming together in the jumper ring, I'd go back and play in the hunters for a while. Hunters will keep you honest, if anything, and a change of scenery can be nice.
Great post Lucifer! Great advice and well said :D
 
#18 ·
If you ever need some good entertainment when you are bored, take a look at their Archives at the bottom of the forum. Lots of good popcorn drama there! :wink:

To be fair, there is some very good critique from some highly regarded professionals over there... Though a lot of critique comes from armchair jockeys.
 
#19 ·
Yeah I suppose. With my experience over there, you can tell who the REAL professionals are, and who the people who think they know everything are. Just reading some of the posts shows how rude and completely ridiculous some people are.. It's insane.
 
#20 · (Edited)
Good luck and have fun. Please, try to stop snatching your horse at the moment of takeoff on the jump. If your horse is too heaving on the forehand and you feel the need to "lighten" him, do half halts further from the jump to help him engage the haunch a bit. Taking your horse in heavy and snatching him will make it difficult to jump any larger jumps, especially at speed.
Sorry, I know you didn't ask for critique, but this will get in your way and you two do have tremendous promise. This is such a common mistake, often something that riders are trained to do.
 
#21 ·
Good luck and have fun. Please, try to stop snatching your horse at the moment of takeoff on the jump. If your horse is too heaving on the forehand and you feel the need to "lighten" him, do half halts further from the jump to help him engage the haunch a bit. Taking your horse in heavy and snatching him will make it difficult to jump any larger jumps, especially at speed.
Sorry, I know you didn't ask for critique, but this will get in your way and you two do have promise.
Like I said before, I know what I did wrong, and what I needed to improve. That was the first and last time I did that in a show. I don't need to do that anymore, and nor do I ever do that. Thank you though!
 
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