Just How Fast Can We Go?

Okay, so here's a little back info regarding this question -

Meet Diamond. Diamond is 14.1 hh, arab, and spunky as a chili pepper. I love her to death, and she is a blast to ride, but she is NOT a hunter horse. So I was thinking - Jumpers!! I have always just loved the fast pace of Jumpers, and Diamond definitely agrees! Though she is really small, and unfortuantly doesn't have a whole bundle of scope, and has a really hard time with 2'6. So I was thinking just 2'.

SO my question is -

How fast should we go for 2' Jumpers? The show is non-rated, but there is usually a good turnout. Since this will be only my 2nd or 3rd time doing Jumpers, should I go just a little slower, or open up and push the whole way?

Thanks :)

Oh, and Diamond usually won't knock rails, untill we get to 2'6. Then she just kinda looses her power. Does this play a part in speed?

I'd have to say that it really depends on the horses stride, and how they jump, if they take long or short approaches or dislike one. But I would suggest not going slow and def not letting it out all the way.

I would go at a faster pace, but in check. I've never done jumpers that small because I've never been to a show that has a class with a smaller jumpers. So you might wanna wait for somebody else that knows more to come along and comment.

Thank You :) Yes, this is a small local show that I just go to for fun :) It's about a B on the scale. After some thought, I figured I would go slow about 3 or 5 strides before the jump, so she doesn't overjump, and quicker around the turns and long spots, because she is very careful about her feet, along with being very easy to handle. We are practicing today, so we will see how it goes ;)

Jumpers is not really about running around jumping as fast as you can. The best rounds are the ones who ride the best line. If you can ride a tight and accurate course with out going slow you will do fun. Im guessing your pony hits rails as the jumps get bigger because she is not very balanced.

Thank You :)

You may be right about balance, yet I don't know how to measure how much she has while on her back. Anyone got anything on that ;)

I'm thinking ... could it be she can't carry me up? She is about 900lbs, 14.hh Arab, (she's fat - working on that) and I'm 5'8, and 140 lbs. Is this an issue?