First cross country ever on saturday

[magicsmum]

My daughter has plucked up the courage to do an eventer trail on saturday, shes been having a really good summer jumping and now wants to try a bit of cross country. Neither her or her pony have ever done any cross country before, I have entered her in the Junior novice class which is 1ft to 1ft6in,in this class lead riens are allowed as is outside assitance, I thought this would be good for them, at least i can walk along with her and help if needed but I am bit worried in case people think that she should be in a higher class. This is a big thing for laura, she has conkered her nerves and I really dont want to shatter them again by putting her into something shes going to find difficult. I never thought I would ever see her enjoy riding the way she is now.They have only this season started competing in the big ring at local shows, mosat weeks being placed, lst sunday she came 3rd in the 2ft 6in class which went up to 2ft9in, so these on saturday are going to be small compared to what they have been doing but as i said before they have NEVER done any cross country at all!!! Theres bound to be people there who recognise them, and we all know how they talk!!!!! I just want them to go and have bit of fun and come home having enjoyed it and want to go again!!!

[whatever]

Does it matter if they talk?
Starting at the lowest level is very sensible. Jumping XC is very different form SJ and requires a different set of skills. Learning this over small fences is much better than trying to go too high and knocking confidence. If they both find it very easy then they can move up a level next time.

[sugarpuff]

Hey

Dont worry your doing your best for your little girl, i do smaller showjumping classes but bigger XC as my girl finds turns really difficult in showjumping and its just not her thing but will do fantastic at XC. I always do a smaller class to on our first outing of the year.

your being sensible putting her in the smaller class and it doesnt matter who talks as someone always does....i think its a jealous thing.

hope she has fun and gets the bug for XC.;)

[XmeganX]

dont worry about what people say,do whats best for your daughter and her pony! im in a similar situation,im reschooling my exracer and were jumping 3foot at home after a year of building up confidence in each other and him learning to jump, but when i take him to his first show im goin to sneak him into pony newcomers (out of comp obviously) which is barely 60cms, people at my yard ask why not take him to a higher class but id rather we both go in and come out confident and happy even if we only get over one jump!

your daughter is absolutely right to go in and have fun and gain confidence at a level shes comfortable with,at the end of the day xc is a toatally different ball game to show jumping, im a keen jumper but im pants at dressage thier different disciplines leave others say what they like.... best of luck!:)

[magicsmum]

Thanks everyone!!

Guess I just needed to be told I am doing the right thing putting her in this class. She is so looking forward to it, has cost me a fortune this week in new back protector, skull cap and silk, not for getting the new rugby shirt to match everything else.
Hopefully will manage to get some piccies if my nerves can stand it!!!