Nerves! Showjumping tomorrow! Help

[keep the faith]

I'm hoping to go and compete in a showjumping event tomorrow night, pending her majesty going onto the lorry.:eek: I've been looking forward to it all week but now the nerves are setting in, The class is only going to be 90cms as i haven't done anything competively with Lady for nearly a year and the nerves are setting in.

I know Lady will be fine if i just leave her to it, i have a tendancy to try and place her and she dislikes it very much, to the point that if I correct too much she stops and squeals in a temper lol, RI had me jumping in my lesson on wednesday with my eyes closed and just counting the strides out loud to make me breathe. :eek: Don't think i can do a showjumping course that way.lol

Lady is more than capable of the class, having jumped 1.30m with her previous owner competively on a regular basis as a youngster. (5/6yrs)

So any tips to help me stay relaxed and keep Lady happy?

All comments appreiciated.:D

[jumpjaky]

When your warming up keep talking to her and giving her pats.
What helps me when im nervous is yawning!
I know it sounds strange but it realy helps me!

[heartofrainbow]

Think happy positive thoughts!

Think things like, she is in a really good trot/canter rhytym etc pick out all the positive aspects and push the negatives out of your body!

I know that sounds abit funny but it works!

Smile, if you smile you release happy relaxing hormones so you won't feel nervous!

Just go and have fun!

Let us know how you get on! x

[smartie bean]

If you are anything like me when you go in everything just goes silent you just concentrate on what you have to do and forget everyone else is watching you!! Just imagine you are schooling her the place shouldn't change her ability so just trust her and have faith in yourself and i'm sure you will come out in the ribbons :D

[-x-laurrie-x-]

i find singing helps! especially a song that makes you feel really good about yourself so you can relax or one with good lyrics that mean something to you.. i sing new radicals: 'get what you give', something like that :)
hope you have a good time!

[-jo-jo-w]

Awww how did it go? I meant to send you a PM the other week when you posted pics of Lady looking gorgeous! One day I will come over and see you. Just so poor at the minute after xmas every spare penny goes towards my lessons! Hope everything went well :D xxxx

[keep the faith]

After we finally got her loaded you mean? We had to bring her best friend to get her to go into the lorry. lol.

She was full of herself in the outdoor warm up arena although settled really well towards the end. We had a few spectactular airs above the ground when silly hoss's knocked down the warm up fence, She doesn't seem to like the noise of poles falling which it good i guess. lol.

We went clear in the warm up although it was a bit sticky in places. Me holding too much. After a prep talk with my YO about letting her go and trusting her to get to the other side we also had a double clear in the novice class which flowed lmuch better, didn't bat her eyelids at the spooky fillers and kids screaming at the side of the ring, didn't do the open class as it was 11.30 at that stage and we live 45 mins away. No pics unfortunately, sorry guys!:o

Going again this friday so hopefully will bring a designated photographer.:D

Thanks for all your help.

[jumpjaky]

Well done!:)

[-jo-jo-w]

Yeah go you!

[-jo-jo-w]

Where was it just out of interest?

[keep the faith]

It was held at the Moy riding school but part of the Armagh riding club showjumping league. It was the third week of it. I missed the first 2 but going again this friday and if i get double clear in the league class the next 3 weeks i'm in for the championship. Optimistic aren't i. lol