i really need advice!

[MlilBee]

Hello,
I have been riding for 6 years now, and i have shared and owned a few horses. At the moment i have a horse which is a wonderful showjumper and can jump any hight, but some colours seem to scare him. The problem is, everytime i get my confidence up and then im willing to jump higher and im not scared to tackle difficult things, something happens like a fall which get smy confidence down in jumping and i have to start all over again. I wanted to know if you have any ideas on how to get my confidence up. Since i have been jumping again and we are doing well, my horses also rushes between jumps, he goes into a very quick canter which can make me feel unbalanced sometimes. But i would really like to go a do a small competition, but i am too scared i will fall and hurt myself. Any ideas on how i can gradually change my attitude and not loose my confidence?
Thank you

[Mighty_Atom]

I no how you feel. At the moment i having the same problem. In May i had a serious fall at jumping on a pratice jump at a show. I hadnt jumped (gone back to trotting poles) since when i jumped the other day on a different pony. I went up to my first jump, he stopped, put a foot over, decided he couldnt do it and went back bringing the jump with him. He turned sharply and cantered off and landed hard on my side after flying beside him round the school. So now i have had 2 accidents in a row and have lost my confidence. I want to jump but cant seem to get my confidence.

[kedwards]

For me, I find that I am more confident and work better if I have patience. As soon as I get into the mindset that I'm in a hurry to get something done, everything goes to pot. The moment I take that pressure off, I step down to what me or my horse are comfortable with, and we move along much faster. You know how putting pressure on a nervous horse only makes him more nervous? Well, the same is true for putting pressure on ourselves when we are nervous.

Step back to doing only what you find fun and comfortable. Realize that stepping back a few steps can be progress in it's own right. In fact, most people find that when they decide to have patience with themselves, things suddenly move along faster. After you've taken the pressure off and find yourself just having fun again, you'll look at a bigger jump one day and think, "that looks like fun. I really want to try that." That's the moment to take a step up.

[Do the Dew]

Hi. My name is Sarah and I am a new member to this site. I read your post and noticed that my horse and yours have a lot in common. My horse's name is Dewey. I bought him 2 years ago and he made me work and build up my confidence. One thing that I learned with horses is that they feel every nerve in your butt. haha What I mean is when you are nervous, they can sense it and become nervous themselves. All you have to do is breathe, be calm, and be determined. If you are confident and tell yourself that you can get over the jump, without falling off, then you can. It is all about your attitide. Just believe in yourself, be patient, and be confident.

When my horse rushes through jumps, I take and give with the reigns. Every stride or so, lift with the hands and then give by lowering them. Repeat as many times as necessary between fences. It works especially if it is a soft lift. It not only reduces the speed but it also helps balance your horse.

[Secret Smiley]

I don't know whether its possible where you are, but if i was in your situation i would enter a tiny practically 'backyard' show and do the lowest class. Conquer that, then keep practising and next show jump a slightly higher class.

Go slowly, there is no rush (unless your training for the 2008 games):D and gain your confidence by going to the *absolute bottom*

Treat yourself like a horse; avoid overfacing youurself and mentally reward yourself for your every small achievment.

YOU CAN DO IT-tell yourself this and stay within your personal limitations until you feel the temptation to break the boundaries, once you desire to achieve more you are emotionally ready to take the next step.

best of luck:)