Ferns first show - didn't go to well!

[luv2jump2!!!]

Well, yesturday evening we decided to take fern to her first SJ show! It was at Moorhouse EC if your interested ;)

Got her all prepared, she loaded very nicely! Walked straight up the ramp so i was VERY happy :)

Took the 30minute drive to Moorhouse, freiting that we had the wrong day and it wouldn't be on! Fern was splendid! she just stood there munching at her haynet!

Then we wentr to register for our class - we were hoping to do the 65cm clear round - but we were too late for the registration! So eventually we ended up going in the 70cm Novice class..

We waited for what seemed like ages! and then walked the course and got fern ready..

I got on, and we were called into the practice ring! I had NO control! she was refusing the practice jumps, when she did jump them she was jumping VERY close to the wings banging my legs onto them too at times..

Then they called us into the ring.. one flustered pony, one nervous rider! I walked her round until the bell rang.. it rang i asked her to trot on she went.. Refused the first jump TWICE! Eventually got her over, then she refused the second so we were eliminated :(

Emma decided we should have another go so she re-registered us.. We waited and let her calm down, then after along ait we were called into the practice ring.. This time i had a nice calm horse! trotting nicEly, never refused the practise jumps, Jumping cleanly a 3ft6 spread.. the acctuall comp was only 2ft3!

They called us again, the bell rang 'ping' straight over the first, put my leg on for the second refusal.. again.. refusal.. again refusal.. ELIMINATED!

The judges were really nice and told me to try jumping jump 10.. a jump that it should have been virtually impossible to run out of! Fern managed it! straight between a tiny gap of two jumps wings.. Then we tried one again to end on a good note, and jumped it nicly!

Tierd and flustered (not just me!) we decided to just go home and work on her and the big scary hanging fillers another day..

Eventfull day..

Well done if you got to the end of that!! Never realised i'd written and essay!!

Lucy and fern..

edited for spellings :)

[kedwards]

As a first show, I guess you just have to take things as they come. The good news is that she was relaxed for trailering and at the show grounds, so that's a good start!

My first show with Bud, he took hold of the bit and ran through the first line in our warmup class, took a flier over the second fence, and landed bucking wildly. Still, he was quiet during a flat class with 30 other horses in the ring, so I figured it was a success, all told.

[shaka]

Some horses, good in the practice ring, devils in the main arena!

it doesn't sound like you did to bad for a first show. It's unfortunate you missed the clear round as that would have been ideal.

She was good to trailer and she settled in the practice ring eventually which is good. Try practicing jumping in a school with lots of other horses moving around to get her used to the business.

At least you managed to get her over a fence in the ring as well. Maybe she jsut picked up on your nerves and that combined with being in a strange place can alter performance. Try some relaxing remedies like bach before your next one. Keep taking it slow at shows to get you both used to it.

Good luck for the future.

[luv2jump2!!!]

Kedwards - Bud seems like a right cheeky monkey!

Shaka - I wasn't expecting much - i was in it for the experiance it was everyone else for the winning! Next time (2 weeks) were going to set off earlier and go in the clear round class.. The yard isn't massive, she does jump in the school with basil, she's generally not bad at all! The strange place was the fact it was indoors.. she's not been indoors for a year to ever! New place, new sounds, new job!

[kedwards]

Wow, it really sounds like she did wonderfully, all things condsidered. Indoors can be pretty claustrophobic for horses who aren't used to them.

Best of luck in the next show, it sounds like the clear round class will be a good way to go. I'll bet you two will do marvelously.

[i LiKe SmArTieS]

lucky you. you did well first shows are always scary

I fell off at ma first eva show!!!
:o

bt it was good and i learnt a lot

keep trying and do lots of clear rounds to get your confidnce up