Show nerves

[Miriam]

Ok what have I let myself in for. As you all know I've only recently started to jump Rhi and one of the girls asked me on the yard if I fancied going to a show. Stupidly I looked at the form and decided yes I would take her and try the 18" baby bounce just to prove to myself that I can do it.


Now I'm not bothered if we knock a jump down or if we make a hash of it as I'm going to have fun. However I can feel the nerves starting now.

Any ideas how to deal with them. I know the girls wont let me chicken out

[nutkin]

I am sure you will be just fine. On the day why not enter a clear round class first just to show yourself that you can do it. Remember if you can do it at home what's the difference aside from the other horses and lots of people around you. I know how you feel though as I am taking Spike to our first proper show together(if you don't count the cross country we went on just 6weeks after I brought him)and I am just as nervous as you, but if I can do it ( and believe me I am just as nervous about jumping as you are)then you can definitely do it too. Good luck and get practising.

[Miriam]

Already doing that one :D Giving her a day off jumping today as she seemed so half hearted (but then so was I) yesterday. I've been told she could just be feeling a little stale :p

[Funky MeerKAT]

You could try some rescue remedy which helps to calm nerves, but other than that just make sure you really organised, have everything packed up the night before and get there with plenty of time to spare. Take you horse for a walk and a look around, and watch a few rounds. The night before visualise exactly how you are going to ride, imagine yourself on your horse and ride every step just how you want it to go. Get on with plenty of time to warm up.

[The Flying Irishman]

Hi Miriam. God I am so pleased that someone else admits to show nerves. I am looking to go to the BAHA show on saturday too but am about to chicken out. Its just that I dont know how Scoo will behave in a show environment, we jump quite happily at home but at a show.... :rolleyes: anyway if you go let me know how you get on and good luck

[Kanuma]

lots and lots of rescue remedy!

[eventerbabe]

rescue remedy, or i used to use something called Pax calming lotion. you put it onto pressure points and its supposed to disguise the smell of fear so your horse won't pick up on it!!

[helenc]

I know the feeling.

I go out jumping most weekends & I still get nervous (although not usually until the evening before & on show day morning)

I find that once I get on with what I need to be doing I forget about the nerves. I always drive the box to take my mind off things and then once I'm there I get brushed, tacked up & studded. I always feel nervous but once I get on & start warming up the feeling disappears.

Good luck

[**Krista**]

Lots and lots of rescue remedy!! I'm a wierd one and get nervous and stressed the day before.. i know :rolleyes: Weirdo!! I get a bit nervous on the day, usually warming up esp if things aren't going well! I like to have a rubbish day the day before and then i have the 'ooh its only experience' attitude for the show which helps alot! As well as half a bottle of rescue remedy!!

[Miriam]

Hi Miriam. God I am so pleased that someone else admits to show nerves. I am looking to go to the BAHA show on saturday too but am about to chicken out. Its just that I dont know how Scoo will behave in a show environment, we jump quite happily at home but at a show.... :rolleyes: anyway if you go let me know how you get on and good luck


It's on Sunday Scoobie. You gotta come so we can meet up :D



Thanks everyone for the advice

[SarahC]

Agree with the rescue remedy...great stuff! I'd take it the night before and on the day too!! :D

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

S

[shirley]

Rescue remedy definately!!!
Was nervous about a dressage test I did two nights ago. Have been practising and mucked it up nearly everytime!!! Got to evening and into the arena, trotted down one side and then halted him and just glanced into the mirror and thought just how great we looked together (short and stumpy), but looked good and made the mental decision just to enjoy ourselves. Gave Ben a pat, and said lets have some fun mate!! Well we cam 7th out of 18 in the class. He did not hurry, I did not get frustrated at all, even when he did not break in canter lead right the first time, but got it the second time. This has taught me so much about my mental attitude towards shows etc. Who really gives a damn about beating everyone else. We have our horsey friends to enjoy ourselves together, not to prove to the rest of the world we have the best - because we already have. Lets face it my horse is just the most gorgeous thing in the world - but you all may probably agree with that statement!!!! But then I might not agree that your horse is the lovliest ever!!!
Just go and have fun, if you get round without falling off - success. All poles knocked down and still safe - success. All poles left up and the fasterst time - success. So whatever you acheive you have succeeded.
Good luck!! Just completly enjoy yourselves together!!!

[canadianbeaver]

I used to get very nervous before a show and then I asked myself why? It's for fun, and i wasn't having fun, because I was putting far too much pressure on myself... I wanted to do well (as we all do) but I was giving myself an unfair disadvantage and worryuing too much about my jumping so technically, I'd psyched myself out beofre I'd even started...... so relax, breathe, don't do anything that you aren't comfortable with. and GOOD LUCK!

[notpoodle]

awwww i know how you feel! i have (in a moment of madness) entered us in a baby clear round (1ft 3 the highest) tomorrow and am pooping myself already :rolleyes:

the other entrants will be kids (some of them on leadrein!!!), then theres me and my friend on her 15-sth hh share horse being petrified!

im also panicking about my nonexisting show attire (i dont even have long boots. let alone cream jods or a white shirt!! i just dont own anything like this!) .... might have to swap jackets with my friends during the show somehow (she managed to find an ancient tweed jacket in the back of her cupboard so we might have to share that!) ... wish me luck!!

julia
x

[Stella2]

I don't have any tips to add Miriam, but good luck and well doing you for getting to this stage. :D

[notpoodle]

me and angel will cross fingers and hooves for you :)

[PromiseMe]

Rescue remedy coudl work too :)

Although, really, once you get on and in the ring...your nerves will probalby all fade because you're so focused with your horse. I always get REALLY nervous before a show/class but once im in the ring on my horse, thats the last thing you think about. And same with my friend ;)
So really, don't worry too much about it!

[FreedomStar]

I'm sorry I don't have any additional tips, but when you leave for the show, just think about everything you need and if you have it all. A tip: spray the inside of your trailer with fly spray and that should keep the flies out. If it's a schooling show then attire doesn't matter, as long as you're clean and presentable with a proper helmet and riding boots. If you don't have any rescue remedy, lavender oil or any form of it (a lotion) helps to relieve tension.

[Miriam]

awwww i know how you feel! i have (in a moment of madness) entered us in a baby clear round (1ft 3 the highest) tomorrow and am pooping myself already :rolleyes:

the other entrants will be kids (some of them on leadrein!!!), then theres me and my friend on her 15-sth hh share horse being petrified!

im also panicking about my nonexisting show attire (i dont even have long boots. let alone cream jods or a white shirt!! i just dont own anything like this!) .... might have to swap jackets with my friends during the show somehow (she managed to find an ancient tweed jacket in the back of her cupboard so we might have to share that!) ... wish me luck!!

julia
x


Julia good luck. Good thing about tomorrow is we dont need show gear :p I'll prob be the only adult in this class too :eek:


Stella2 - Thanks. Mind you the thought of jumping something like your Flora, Mo and Polly make me wonder what I am doing. Although I have been told that they take you :p


Fredomstar - its just a little local show. No show attire needed. I odnt have any Rescue remedy and I'm not sure if we lavender oil


Think I'll go mad now. Double whisky before I go me thinks ;)

[notpoodle]

good luck again :D

julia
x

[Miriam]

Do you think if we pass on enough good lucks we will convince ourselves there is nothing to worry about :D