Baybridge Hunter Jumpers

All I Want To Do Is Jump

I ran a fairly large lesson program for almost 20 years. This is a statement I have heard over and over, both in my lesson barn days and from colleagues today.

All I want to do is jump.

There are a few problems with this. Let's start with the horse. I love the old horseman's saying " horses only have so many jumps in them ". Is that 100, 1000 before it becomes lame.... No one knows....but horses certainly weigh a lot and the concussion landing on those small little legs is significant. Horses also get bored, burned out....and let's face it...sour.
Respect for the horse . The riders job is to do the best thing for the horse. Most horses only need jumped a few days a week. That means if a lesson horse works 5 days a week, only 2 of those are jumping days. 3 of those are purely flatwork or hacking.

Riders : most of jumping well has NOTHING to do with jumping. Riders need to work on pace, transitions, straightness, their position, effectiveness of aids, balance, ability to change positions smoothly ( from 2 point to sitting etc ) and so much more.

So if you are one of those students who Just Wants To Jump , please replace that with "I want to be an effective rider and horseman or woman . I want to do what is best for the horse "

And instructors who cave to this plea from students
Only YOU can set the CULTURE of your barn. Talk frequently about horsemanship and doing right by the animals.

Looking for a ride for one pony - Ostrander, OH to Ocala, FL after Jan 1!

If you are looking for anything like what is listed below - call/msg me!

1) 11 yr old DWB Gelding 16.1 - TRUE 3 ring horse. This horse has East/West coast miles - WEF miles- GP wins/Intl Derby top prizes, Jr Hunter wins, Equitation wins...you name it - he has done it and is very willing to do anything his next kid or ammy needs. Super horse to have around. No vices and easy around the barn. 125k

2) 5 yr old - Holsteiner Gelding with Cassini I lineage. 16.2 - Beautuful to look at, great trot and lovely canter. Will make into a great Equitation horse or tap into the scope for the jumper ring. Minimal show mileage. Ammy friendly brain and really anyone can bring a long. No lunge type! No vices! PM for details.

3) 10 yr old DWB Gelding 16.2 BTDT AA Hunter extraordinaire. Easy - wins - no maintenance. 75k

4) 4 yr old Oldenburg Gelding 16.2. Huge step, already jumps the Derby jumps. Has that special slow cadence and beautiful ground covering canter. Easy change. Very, very child/adult friendly. Great for Pro to do the Greens on and Child or adult can show on the weekend. The real deal! Inquire for price.

So sad to see this one go! But always happy that they do the job so well, they go to the best home!

So excited to congratulate Tara Heffernan on the acquisition of Cassini Royale! Super fun horse! Welcome to the barn, Cass! ❤️🐴

Congratulations to the Heffernan Family on the sale of distinguished show ring veteran Enlighten, aka "Scout" 🎉 It's always a pleasure working with Jennifer Koval & Baybridge Hunter Jumpers to place your quality horses. Best of luck to Scout with Ms. Delaney Hughes of Ann Arbor, MI, and Heather Joseph of Hedge & Turf Farm. Heather is another EHJ seller, and Scout was the third successful EHJ listing for this west-coast based family.

What a beautiful barn day today!

Great lessons this morning with the adult ladies! Wanda, Camille and Jane were great!!

USEF #4939403
"Enlighten"
2002 15.3 7/8
Happily doing the 3'3" Low or 3'6" Jr Hunters. Really fun teacher. Hack winner all over. Been to indoors and all over the west coast. Really fun horse for a kid ready for the 3'0" or 3'3" and wanting to move up! Sweet, very nice horse to have around❤️ Will be at Showpark next two weeks and actively seeking his next partner!