Jamil

I've often watching riders in jumping competitions on TV but it seems pretty daunting. How can you do it without panicking at the last minute and stopping the horse?

alexis

I think that practice makes perfect for both the rider and the horse. And I think that without practice even the most skilled doing this kind of thing could get that last minute itch to halt.

iHorse

Just like other things working up to show jumping heights is done gradually. The first step is trotting poles (the poles from jumps laid on the ground) then gradually raised.

A horse cannot possibly compete about a couple feet without proper form and scope for the event. The rider must similarly have aptitude to remember the course, steer the horse and manipulate the pace and striding to run the course without injuring the horse or interrupting a smooth round.

Obviously if you're scared or concerned at the lower heights you will have enough refusals you won't get very far. Your horse depends on you to believe they need to go forward and can clear the fence.