Sunday after barn chores I set up a little jump and sent Riley over it a few times, with help from another boarder. She suggested we videotape, but I only had my trusty cellphone. So here is the footage of Riley's 3rd jump ever...
The first two jumps were better, and jump #2 was especially nice (he cantered in). He hesitated a little bit on #3. I've not had much experience watching youngsters jump and don't know how indicative the first few jumps are in looking at a horse's ability. But beyond the jump, I love that he doubles back after the jump to hang with the humans in the ring.
So whaddya think?
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What a lovely jumper! Seems so happy and willing:)
ReplyDeleteCan't beleive you took that with a cell phone.
He looks willing, which is always good :). Young horses always look a bit silly for awhile. It looks like you're having fun with him!
ReplyDeleteaw, good boy! he looks like a nice natural jumper. form looks correct from what little i could see, and he was nice and positive to it. he's very cute! you're going to have a lot of fun with him :-)
ReplyDeleteon the subject of what to look for, i always look at the hind end - the front end they can learn in time, but the hind end is not something you can teach. i look for a horse who really kicks his hind end up and over - that to me is what indicates great jumping ability... next i look for good use of the head and neck.... but everyone has their own formula ;-)
He looked very cute going over the jump. Good boy.
ReplyDeleteTOO CUTE!! He looks like he did quite well, even with the hesitation. Can't wait to see more of him jumping!
ReplyDeleteI think as he grows up he is showing that he'll always be people oriented (nose in the face of the camerawoman) and that he's a bit of a clown.
ReplyDeleteI like his initial jump but there's something comical too -- he kind of lands with a thunk. To be fair I should have taken off the blanket.
I know nothing about jumping so I can't comment. What I DO know is that I gave you an award. Come on over to my blog!
ReplyDeleteHe really likes pleasing his people. It seems letting him figure it out without a rider is probably best at first, but what I know on the subject comes from books. Keep having fun!
ReplyDeleteThat was so cute. I do free-jumping with my horse as a break from dressage. I think it's really good for their minds--Riley looked happy. If you set up a lane with two or three small jumps it's fun to watch them go through it. When my horse comes in to me after I tell him what a good boy he is and sometimes give him a treat. Then he'll zoom back out and do the combo with his tail flying--I think he really loves it.
ReplyDeleteHe really stretches down nicely with his head and neck. He looks like he'd be very scopey over higher fences someday!
ReplyDeleteIt's so fun to watch but I'll force myself to hold off on further jumping, this was enuf to give me a general idea of his aptitude. When the vet comes out she'll be xraying his feet as a baseline, just to get an idea whether we risk anything by jumping him. Now to let those joints develop!
ReplyDeleteRiley is very cute, but it's so hard to tell with his first jumps. Some horses overjump as he is doing at first and overuse themselves so you don't quite see what will happen later with their form. He certainly looks to have the scope but....
ReplyDeleteThe very best part is his attitude!! He is very brave and doesn't really hesitate. He sets himself a little before the fence, all on his own, and then does not gallop off all excited. When a horse shows that kind of intelligence and calmness, I think you are well on your way to having a really nice jumper.
Give him lots of time to grow up. In the meantime, I'd think some cavaletti and little jumps like this should be fine as he is already cantering on the lunge. A low jump without a rider is really not too much more than an energetic canter stride. And he can learn to judge distances and just have some plain old fun to add to his flatwork. (But checking with the vet is a good idea to be sure he is developing properly.)
So cute - he makes it look very easy!
ReplyDeleteHow old is he? He looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteAs others have said, he seems really willing. Although he hesitated, he put in lots of effort, and bot just vertically (many horses that don't have a good speed going in jump more vertically, not nice and round.)
ReplyDeleteHe also tucked well, which is good :) It something that's really hard to teach, so it's good to have it as a instinct!
And he's just plain cute!