Essential tips for a XC beginner...

[ellewoods]

I am starting XC schooling on a cracking pony I have started riding. As a total novice at this discipline, I was hoping for some basic, essential handy hints and tips please!

I showjump up to 3ft but I am well aware that XC is going to be an entirely different kettle of fish!!

[xJenniferx]

Ensure you know of the soft landing spots at each jump :D

I am novice at it as well, but nearly always the first piece of advice I get when asking about it , is to enjoy it. Tyler, my ID, can fly round a course so the horse doing it is not a problem, but when it came to me starting I was terrified, however as soon as I relaxed and enjoyed it, everything from my other discplines came to gether and XC seemed to go alot smoother from then on :D

[acw295]

I think you need to attack a bit more with x country, less collection - bit more oomph :D

I'm more of a wimp with show jumps, I find I have less time to think about x country, I tend to go for it a bit more :)

Have fun! Pics please ;)

[mikh]

Sit up, be brave, don't change your mind, and focus

[horsesforever]

Secure lower leg! If the pony has done it before you should have a fab time :D

[~*sugarlump*~]

well what works for me is heels down and grab abit of mane!
when in doubt i kick on. also keep in a slightly more forward/lighter seat going over rougher terrain

[Iron Maiden]

Keep your leg on but keep hold of your horse's head - you don't want them mega-collected but they still need to be 'uphill' - and don't look at the fence, look up and ahead and just think 'yay GO HOSS!!!' :)

[ellewoods]

Thanks everyone! I tend to be better in classes than my lessons at SJ when I just have to get on with it rather than worrying about every stride and agonising over it - I'm hoping the "sit up and kick on" principle will help with my XC!! :) Pics to follow - may be a while, need to get it booked first!! But I won't forget.