I fell on my butt-TWICE!

[Secret Smiley]

Hmmmmm, i thought my horse and i were really starting to click in jumping-until today.

Freshmans jumping day at pony club, jumped the 75cm round fine, did the 85cm course once with a couple of refusals (one because i was out of control, and the other at jump number 3, an ordinary straight-bar which for some reason he did not like) Then did or rather tried the 85cm again, where he ran out once on number 3, then on second approach did a tricky refusal which SENT ME FLYING-i got to jump the fence all by my self. I was allowed to remount (seeing as it was a training day) and was instructed to start the course again. Jump one fine, jump number two he did a late run out and i BIT THE DUST AGAIN! *It was my fault though, i wasn't riding with particular style at this point*
I got back on and did a little jump to finish.
He's not sore, his tack fits well, i don't ride akwardly in any stage of the jump, he just has these days every now and again and in my oppinion since i hadn't fallen off since January i was well over-due:D
Anyways next comp is next sunday (only grade 3, so only 75cm, so with any luck he is in a better frame of mind)

Thanks for listening, my unhorsy family aren't really into details about my horse adventures so i had to share my story here:)

[jUmPingIsLifE]

sorry to hear about your falls but congrats for getting right back up..

two falls might sound bad and feel bad but i came off tahoe THREE times earlier this summer. not my fault not his--instructers. actually maybe a little my fault for not really speaking up. she set up some bounces and tahoe being only four i figured she would only make me do the 6'' but she kept putting it up and once it hit 2' he ducked out and i came off because when you get on his neck a lot (to gain back balance after he ducks out) he bucks and sends you flying. after three times in a row of me getting bucked off she finally said...i'll put it back down then you can be done.

[kedwards]

Ouch, I'm sorry to hear about the falls. Are you feeling okay?

I know once my and my horse's confidence is lost a little in each other early in a course (either I lost his confidence in me by giving him a bad ride to fence or he lost mine by tuning me out), I sometimes have a difficult time sitting down solidly on approach and putting in a positive and clear ride to the next jumps.

In the end, it's one day and one course. A bad day doesn't need to take away from what you've achieved in your progress up to this point. Put in some good confidence-building schooling sessions to "pay back into the account," so to speak, and put the bad day behind you.

Best of luck. I hope you're feeling well in body and mind today.

[DITZ]

You sound like you had a day like mine, I did a 75cm course too and had more refusals and run out than I can count. Normally my horse is like 'aim - fire' but not today. I didnt fall off but it was a close thing on a couple of them.

I cant give you any words of encouragement I'm afraid because I'm too deflated myself:(

[ridingstar]

Well done for getting back on each time. I'm sure you'll have many better days.

[Secret Smiley]

Thankyou all for your encouragement-:)

I am fine now (though still a little stiff) and am proud to say that yesterday i went to a jumping arena and built up both of our confidence again. Towards the end of the session, he was being great (though initially he did test me) and i was nearly as confident as i was before the weekend. We were jumping and soaring (he clears everything with at least a foot to spare) over 80cm spreads with no attempt at disobience from him

Once again thanks all! I must go learn my dressage tests and psych myself for the jumping in my comp this weekend!

[LouiseEdwards]

if you are still experiencing problems with running out/ refusing then try training at home in trot, horses find it a lot more difficult to be disobedient.