Should I Do Jumper or Dressage?
I have a tough decision. I don’t know whether I want to do dressage or jumper. I have a 6 year old bay welsh cob. He’s 14.3hh so right over the pony height. No matter which on I pick I will do 6 months to 1 year of dressage training with my horse to get a good foundation.
My horse(pretty much a pony) is a super good jumper for his height (about 4’3) so he would have great ability against horses as big as him but I would have to compete against 16hh horses who have a huge advantage. I love jumping and so does my horse.
I also really like dressage but it’s not quite as fast(which I like). I LOVE classical dressage but sadly nowadays most people are doing modern dressage. Do you think I could do dressage and jump around for fun sometimes?
Right now I have a jumping saddle and if I am going to do jumper I will keep it, if I’m not I will sell it and buy a dressage saddle.
so…what should I do? I’m leaning more towards dressage.
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Its great that you plan on doing dressage for a while regardless. My trainer always tells me, if you can do dressage, you can do anything. Its so technical and really requires good riding, so it will definitely help you in whatever you decide to do.
Like a lot of people already said, why not do both? If there are places to ride and show dressage near you, I’m sure you’ll be able to find a show to jump in, too. I’d suggest going to some hunter schooling shows–dressage will set you up to be really successful in hunter and equitation. Tell your trainer you want to do a lot of dressage and show dressage, but still learn how to jump so you can do it if you decide to down the road!
Good luck!
well i cant pick the 1 u like most. its up to u. whatever u like more than go 4 it
Why can’t you do combined training? If you like both do both! It’s silly to limit yourself and your horse.
Do whatever you want. You can do both.
If you love dressage and like jumping, focus on dressage and throw in a few jumper classes every year just for a change of pace! You can do both and you can focus on one while occasionally roaming to the other.
Do a little of both! Why limit yourself and pick one?
There are small local schooling shows in your area that I am sure offer dressage and jumper shows.
Try them out – see if you have a preference and if your pony (horse I guess he is 14.3 LOL) seems to prefer one over the other.
Height really isn’t an advantage in jumpers, I’ve seen many many times big 17hh horses get beat by ponies in jumpers because the ponies are shorter and can turn on a time to get the fastest jumper time!
Unless you want to go big, and even then at the lower level in rated shows riding in your jumper saddle should be just fine. I know in eventing it doesn’t matter if you preform your dressage test in your jumper saddle.
Personally I do eventing – its the best of both worlds. A little dressage and a little jumping
Horse Trials are very fun and a good way to become a well rounded rider!
Good luck!
It’s totally your decision. Go for the one that excites you the most. Dressage riding requires lots of serious training (I’m sure your educated about all this) and skill. Dressage will definitely make you a better rider by learning the aids and how to communicate them to your horse.
I personally love jumper stuff. It also requires lots of skill and training and practice, and it’s fast pace which makes it exciting and rewarding. It’s not all about winning. As long as it’s fun, that’s all that matter (to me anyways). I just try to become a better rider.
One advantage to doing dressage over jumping is that dressage will make your horse a better jumper. It will teach you how to teach him to sit on his butt more and push off, and make him become more sensitive to your aids. You can always (I’m assuming) do jumper stuff later.
But, it’s totally your decision on which sounds like more fun.
If you love both.. do both!!! Dressage will definitely improve your jumping!
You said if you jump you would have to compete against 16hh horses who have an advantage. Well yes they would have an advantage but if your pony is a good jumper and is fast then I am sure she will clean up in the jumper ring.
I would say if you don’t want to compete in both then compete in what yours and your pony’s heart lies in and just do the other on the side.
In the end this up to you!
So good luck!
Dressage vs. Jumper question…
definately jumpers….
But if your still self guessing yourself on your decision then try 3-day eventing (its not always 3 days it can be 1 day). You can do dressage,crosscountry, & jumping.
Have you thought about eventing? We (eventers) do dressage, stadium jumping, and cross country.
I would do combined training and eventing if I wanted to do both.
)
You should be able to find a classical dressage trainer, but I guess that might be more expensive since everyone wants modern at the moment. (I’m a classical fan as well
Why don`t you do both. I am a hunter jumper rider who takes lessons from a trainer who competes in dressage. I like it because I am at a jumping barn but I am learning all the good flat work to make me a better jumper rider. I like jumping because of the thrill and excitement, but I love dressage because it teaches the horse and rider to truly be connected. It`s really your say. You can`t ask people to make the decision for you.
Dressage teaches you more, jumpers have bad equitation and is more dangerous.
Do what your horse loves best!
How about eventing? Then you could do dressage, jumping and cross country jumping.
Or, you could do dressage and jumping at the same time, although you probably wouldn’t be competing at the highest jumping levels.
If you just want to pick one main thing to specialize in, pick the one you like the best. Sounds like it’s dressage. You can always change your mind later, and any discipline would benefit from a foundation in dressage.
dressge is the basis of all riding so do both thats what i do
i would do both!!!
But if i had to choose it would be jumping as youve said your horse has plenty of talent and you love it and going fast. Also if you are going to be doing a basic dressage training then you’ll be doing both anyway!!!!
What do you like best? personally i might have done jumper… but it would have been hard for me too!