Hunter Trials tomorrow and nerves attack!

[drookitsheep]

Well, our first HT of the season is tomorrow and I've been really looking forward to it. Have actually been practising at home and have had a few lessons (albeit over showjumps) which has given my jumping confidence a good boost generally.

"Disaster" struck on Saturday while we were out for a good canter - going along the one of our usual tracks at a pretty decent speed, when we spotted some sheep in the field on the left. We've seen sheep plenty of times before so I sent him forwards which was fine.... until we came over the brow of the hill to find two sheep right next to the fence where we went from very onward-bound canter to screeching halt. Or at least Murphy did - I kept going straight over his head and hit the deck. My first fall off Murph in the two and a bit years of having him, and my first fall for I don't know how long! I fell off laughing and was unhurt (although neck a bit stiff today!), and at the time was actually quite relieved to have fallen off - I feel like I've been "due" a fall and was quite pleased it was as pleasant a fall as I could probably have had. Didn't think anything more of it at the time.

However, I'm just back from having walked the course for tomorrow (only doing the tiny course to get into the swing), and all I can see are things which have the potential to cause spooks and screeching halts. Jump height fine - flowers, flags, distractions everywhere :( Murph's not done many XCs, and I'm not sure he had done any before I got him so it's still quite new for him. I think as long as I can get him listening to me and concentrating we'll be ok. Just a bit concerned at how overly-good his brakes are.

Sorry, this is a bit of a rambling, pointless post. Any tips/advice/encouragement/good vibes welcomed! :o

[Est]

GOOD LUCK!

Our minds seem to be programmed to expect the worst don't they! I get "action replays" of my falls in any situation where I'm feeling a bit stressed or that are similar circumstances.
I bet you'll be fine though ;) Tell yourself that's the 2006 fall out of the way, you're safe till next Jan now :D
Make sure you let us know how it all goes :)

[drookitsheep]

Thanks Est :) I just hope I can keep his attention! Because I'm only doing the little class, it's over a shortened course, so most of the jumps are in the main field which could mean lots of distractions. Still, can always jump from trot if feeling wobbly.

One of the jumps has loads of daffodils on it.... I'm not on till 5.36pm so don't have to leave till the afternoon - think I might swing by the garden centre on the way to the stables this morning and have a little practice run with the flowers! :rolleyes:

[Katharine]

Good Luck! No particular advice - I'm sure you'll do great! Just kick! :p
What Hunter trials is it? Montrave was last weekend wasn't it? I'm so out of touch with these things!! :rolleyes:

[drookitsheep]

It's Hallyburton this weekend and then Craigie next weekend. I didn't get to Hallyburton last year (thanks to horse leaping on my foot!) and it's been years since I've done the course. Really lovely course so apart from being nervous thanks to my fall, I am actually looking forward to it! I think Montrave was last weekend or the weekend before - not sure.

[Katharine]

Yeah, Montrave was supposed to be weekend before last but was postponed to last weekend.
I've only been up to Hallyburton once. Seem to remember the jumps were pretty kind. No daffodils then! I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya and hope that they are not horse-eating daffodils!!! :p ;)
Let us know how you get on!

[DITZ]

No advice, I have the same problem so I'd be interested to know how you get on.

Good luck!!

[greeneyes13]

Lean back jumping down in to water and let your reins slip through a little.
Was out watching hunter trials yesterday and almost all the people who leaned forwards with the contact as the horse jumps downwards lost their balance or fell off because they got pulled forward. It will depend on how your horse is with water. You may only need to stretch your hands forward but dont lean forward with them as you would over a normal jump.

Im not even going to pretend im an expert but it was all i could do not to screech lean back!!!

Have a fantastic day everyone was great out yesterday supporting riders they didnt know given remounts, encouragement and a little bit of cheating when no-one was looking ( one man would walk behind the horses to encourage them to take the first dip into the water if they were getting a bit stubborn! His help was gratefully received by a few riders!)

[drookitsheep]

Well - we made it! :D Thanks for the replies and encouragement!

Got there and Murph was really relaxed and warmed up nicely - he was actually going quite well and was listening to me which was a good start and gave me confidence. We were the last class of the day so it was also quieter than it would have been earlier on and the warm up area wasn't too overcrowded. Popped the first practice jump at a very sedate pace, and the second time he took a bit of a pull. I think he seemed quite pleased to be out at a jumping comp rather than "dressage again" which is how it feels it's been over the winter!

Anyway - we had only one stop which I'm over the moon about - and it was a silly one at that. Third jump facing the lorry park and he started neighing to everyone and lost concentration. Popped over it no bother second time round, and went clear over the rest of the course, keen to take me into each fence. Felt really good!

He didn't even look at the daffodils on the fourth jump! Because he'd stopped at the one before, I brought him back to trot and kept him going really forward - he just sailed over and I have to confess to being a bit gobsmacked! I did actually have a little practice at home in the morning with a £2.99 bunch of yellow chrysanthymums (?) I put at each side of a little jump - couldn't get any daffodils....! :D

Tried to remember before setting off that the reason I fell off the other day was because he saw the sheep at the last minute, and that he'd have plenty of time to see the jumps on the approach. To be honest, once we got going and got past the daffodils, we'd got into a stride and I just enjoyed it!

Next schooling class is on Sunday in Fife - we went last year and er... didn't do too well but it was our first ever XC so fingers crossed we can improve on last year's performance!

Sorry no jumping pics (mum hopeless with new camera so doing well to get any pics at all) but here's a pic of us before we set off - bit more flattering than my purple face when we came back...!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b73/drookitsheep/Hallyburton%2017th%20April%202006/th_Untitled-2copy.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b73/drookitsheep/Hallyburton%2017th%20April%202006/Untitled-2copy.jpg)

[DITZ]

Excellent! Well done!:D

I'd be really interested if anyone has any tips as to how to regain a horses concentration in situations like that to prevent the stop in the first place. I did xc play at the weekend and we had a stop at a little log - simply because he was so busy looking at the other horses he didnt see it coming!

Your pic looks fab too.;)

[drookitsheep]

Know what you mean - I could see the stop coming and sort of just sat and thought "oh no!" :rolleyes: . I did try to get his concentration back by giving him a tap on the neck with my stick, but with hindsight, and given that it was only a schooler class and not a "proper" competition, I think I should have realised I'd lost him, circled and got his concentration back, and then approached when I had him listening better. I'd be interested too to hear how other people deal with this.

Horses are too bloomin nosey for their own good - always looking to see what the competition's up to!

[phyzelda]

well done

quick question OT type: Is that a half cheek snaffle you're riding in?

[danielle:>]

Well done! :D Sounds like you had a great time :)

Danielle
xxx

[drookitsheep]

Phyzelda, it's a hanging cheek snaffle (single jointed) - I find it gives me a little bit of extra control/brakes for jumping - normally for schooling/flatwork I use a loose ring tranz link snaffle on M.

[Est]

Congratulations! :D Sounds like a fantastic day... and no falls due at the next one either ;) so we'll be waiting for photos and a happy update from that too!