The more I teach around the country and the world, the more obvious it becomes that there’s a world of difference between being able to ride a jumper
and being a jumping rider.

Let me describe what I mean: It might not take too long for someone to teach me how to drive a race car around the Indianapolis 500 track; but would this mean I could then race that car in even a moderately difficult race? No, I don’t think so!

To not be a menace to myself, the car, and the other drivers, it would take years of practice and experience until I was truly one with the car. Results–and safety–depend on far more than just knowing how to steer, brake and change gears. Being a race-car driver means having finely tuned reflexes–the ability to feel the subtleties of when, where and how much to do things–under all the incredible pressures of a 200-mph race.

How similar this is to riding jumpers! Relatively quickly, one can learn the aids involved to negotiate a basic course on a well-trained horse. But becoming the kind of rider who allows the full talent of the horse to shine through and produces consistent results (without panicking, freezing or over-reacting when things get “interesting”) is a completely different story. Natural talent– in the rider, the horse or both–can help a lot, but even that cannot serve as a substitute for a lot of time in the saddle.

I often ask my students on the first day of a clinic the simple-sounding question, “What are your riding goals?” It’s amazing how often the question is met with a blank stare.

When that happens, I follow up with, “What would you like to be doing on your horse in six months, a year, and three years?” There is certainly no right–or wrong–answer.

But I do believe that setting goals that suit the rider and the horse is critical to gauging one’s progress, reducing frustration, and to getting the most enjoyment out of your riding.

Given the fragile nature of horses and the changing lives of human beings, goal setting isn’t a one-time thing. So a regular reevaluation of long- and short-term goals can be a helpful process. Adaptability is a useful trait in a rider. With it, learning–or progressing–can continue in even the worst of circumstances.

Witness riders who arrive at major championship only to find themselves grounded with a lame horse. For the riders who can overcome their personal disappointment, a unique opportunity presents itself. They can witness the event from the “inside,” walking and studying the courses, watching each and every rider to see how they deal with the questions asked, helping in the stable and warm-up ring to learn how the various riders, trainers, coaches, grooms and veterinarians create winning performances, and being a welcome cheerleader to team- or barn-mates.

Will these riders rue not being able to compete? Certainly. Can they still emerge as better riders and horsemen, despite not riding? Just as certainly, as long as their attitude is right.

Still, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a goal of simply continuing to enjoy riding your horse. Many adult amateurs find welcome break from their stressful lives every time they ride–while they wish to continue to improve their riding, they’re happy to take it one step at a time, and their instructors are wise to acknowledge these students’ goals by keeping lessons low-stress with the aim of learning at a steady, consistent pace. Basics are important, especially those that lead to a fun and safe riding experience.

When students tell me that they want to be champion at the next show or win a year-end high-score award, I know that they’re very competitive individuals and usually would prefer to compete at a slightly lower level to win more.

The first question is what horse are they riding? Does the horse have the ability and experience to take the riders to their goals? If the horse is capable, they then need to be prepared to do the work that goes with becoming highly competitive.

These riders also must be prepared to compete and travel a lot, while sticking to a plan that will maximize their chances of winning the coveted award. If this isn’t a part of their own reality–due to financial or time constraints, for example–their goals need some adjustment.

Relatively few riders state the goal of progressing to riding at more difficult levels of competition, mostly because that means they’ll have to compete over larger jumps. But I find these riders can be among the most fun to work with, provided they have the right attitude and work ethic to go along with their lofty goals.

And that brings me back to my point, because there are two ways to ride in the bigger classes. One is a bit like driving the race car: Buy something with lots of power and experience, follow instructions to the letter, and hope (pray) that things “work.” The second involves devoting tremendous time and attention to the basics of horsemanship to become a functioning part of the team–the kind of partner for whom a horse can and will perform at the very highest level ofhis abilities. Talent helps, but it will never be a complete substitute for hard work and attention to detail every time you get on a horse.

Without a firm foundation of horsemanship, riders will reach the limit of their own and their horses’ abilities all too soon.

Reaching the higher echelons in show jumping is a lot easier, and much more of a sure thing, with the financial resources to purchase top horses and enjoy limitless opportunities to compete. This is the path that a large number of U.S. riders have been fortunate to take. But sadly (for the horses, if not for their riders or trainers), riding in the bigger classes doesn’t always equate with being a better rider.

Fortunately, riders can work on improving their skills on most any horse and by competing in almost any class. Improving the basics and doing things truly correctly every time you ride (in competition and in practice) can enable riders with fewer means to have a chance to reach even the highest goals.
As the success of many superstar European riders shows, having a background in making horses “from the ground up” gives a competitive rider an edge in how to fix those small training problems that mean the difference between so-so or erratic results and consistent top-level performances.

Being all-around horsemen assures that health and soundness issues are recognized long before even the very best veterinarian could see a problem–at the time that a 100-percent level of fitness can be restored with only a minimal amount of down time. When American riders progress too rapidly to the grand prix ring, they most often miss out on these so-important aspects of horsemanship.

Yes, there’s a world of difference between being a “jumping rider” and “riding a jumping horse.” My wish for the sport in our country echoes that of George Morris and other horseman of the old school: Let’s see our riders set their personal goals with honesty and good intention, and let’s see all our riders put more emphasis on becoming the sort of riders who merit the confidence and respect of their horses.

This will only be accomplished as riders reconsider the value that comes with work on basic riding skills, as trainers and instructors emphasize horsemanship along with results, and as trainers are more willing to consider the individual goals of each student as they teach them.

Only by recognizing our future “jumping riders” and directing these individuals along a wider path than just riding over jumps in the show ring will we be doing right by our sport.

The Keys To A Good Match
What a fascinating sport show jumping is. Just when I begin to think I’ve got a handle on it, along comes another horse (or rider) with his or her unique personality and history.

Conducting clinics here and abroad provides me with new insights every place I go. Every one of the riders I teach has a set of habits, perceptions and goals. Each horse is certainly unique too; and the partnership of rider with horse adds another critical dimension to the exercises I do with them.

I’m sure that a good match between horse and rider is literally made in heaven. When each respects and admires the other (and this is definitely a two-way street!), conflicts might occur, but they can be quickly resolved, as long as neither temper nor frustration come to the fore. But without this mutual respect, even small differences of opinion can quickly escalate into major problems–some of which may persist throughout the partnership’s duration.

Solving these challenges is one of the differences between just being able to ride a jumper and really being a jumping rider.

Linda Allen