Championships preparation tips

[Laura+Phantom]

I posted in cafe that me and Saphy qualified for the South West unaffiliated showjumping champs, but I feel like a fraud, i've only ever done 3 classes in my entire life and they were all on Saphy in November! We got double clears every time, but my jump offs weren't tight enough. Having said that, I want to do lots of working hunter classes with her in the summer and don't want her getting too nippy! Shall I aim for double clears and be happy with that?

I'm doing it for the experience more than anything, the price includes 4 classes and a practice class, a course walk with a trainer, stabling and party etc, should be great fun!

The way there are judging it is it will be two phase; jump off straight immediately after you go clear, and the top 20 in each class will be awarded points, and after the 4 classes, the riders with the highest points go through to the championship on day 3.

Any tips or advice? Thanks!

[PinkGlamourGurl]

Firstly HAVE FUN! It sounds great :)

Two phase are a pain, i hate them. Just take it steady in the first part so that you have enough energy left. Shift it up a gear in the jumpoff, dont go silly and miss turns etc but definitely up the pace.

[Herbie's mummy]

You say you want to do WH in the summer?
Getting her nippy for SJ will not make her messy for WH :) - shes a good girl and knows her job LOL, if you want to cut a few corners, get up a gear then go for it:D
HAVE FUN! i am so glad you are happy with sounds like the perfect match *and saphy is one of my NR faves LOL*
Just when you go to do your workers again, just practise at home getting her tidy etc, well i do this its more for me then the pony really though LOL
eeekkk i love styaing away at shows as well LOL

[Gothika]

What's the name of this championship?

[Laura+Phantom]

Aw thanks herbies mummy and pink glamour gurl :D It looks like great fun!

Gothika - I got the name wrong, it's the West Country Unaffiliated Showjumping Championships, heres the flyer

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v115/LAUZ45/Saphy/SWqualificationcard.jpg

[Fancy_mover23]

Stuff like this is always nervewrecking. Nationals always really get me nervous. Don't feel like a fraud. Even if it was you first class that you qualified in, that actually says that you are very talented. Alot of those riders have been competing since they were small, and to get something like that after your third class is quite an honor. Good luck. Just keep practicing in the summer and do some shows to prepare yourself. Have Fun and Congrats!!!!

[Gothika]

-stalks this thread-

Okay Lacey qualified for Cricklands this evening (at david broomes centre) so I need advice too. xD Went there last year but we died (me and Willow, she fell over warming up th efirst day and dislocated her pelvis so it didn't go too well).

[Laura+Phantom]

Thanks fancy mover :)

Gothika - ouch :( We qualified for Cricklands too but it's too far to go without a lorry.

[shakari]

You doing the pony or horse section? We are doing the horse section so maybe see you up there! We qualified for the 2ft3 , 2ft6 and 2ft9, I have only had my horse 2 weeks!lol. I will be quite pregnant by then so shall only be doing the 2ft3 (plus im not rich enough or fit enough to do all 3!):D

[Laura+Phantom]

Hiya, i'm doing the pony section, i'm getting nervous now! I'm going to squeeze in one more little comp before it, hopefully 2'3 and 2'6 to get my confidence up! I expect I shall see you then! What's your horse like? I'll be on a 13.3hh very pretty grey Connemara mare :) (had her on loan 5 months)

[shakari]

Ahh won't see you then, horses are the week after ponies!:rolleyes:

[Laura+Phantom]

Oh right I didn't realise that! Well good luck :D i'm only going for the experience but we'll try our best!