Warming up at a show

[ponies-R-gr8!!!]

Ok, i have done independent warm ups before, but i dont know what to do before a showjumping competition. (this is my 1st one)I have never ridden the pony i am supposed to be riding before but i asked my RI and she said i will be fine.
Right how can i do an idenpendant warm up without knackering the pony out before we have even entered?
Can i walk round on each rein a few times, then trot then canter? Then canter to walk etc transitions to get him really listening? Then when i know he is listening jump a few jumps? When should i do all this? Half an hour before i enter or 15 mins or 20?
Lol sorry this sounds really stupid!:o :rolleyes:

[SJ wanabe]

Hi Ive been SJ for ages, it depends where you are jumping and how early you are allowed into the arena. But if you can it would be advisable to get on about 20 minutes before the class.Start on the flat in walk and trot doing circles and sirpentines to get your horse supple and bending. You may want to lengthen and shorten your horses strides but that is up to you. Then start with a tiny crosspole, when you have done this a couple of times do it bigger. It is pointless overjumping you pony so dont tire him out or jump bigger than what the class is. Remember the course:) good luck:)

[ponies-R-gr8!!!]

Thanks for that it will be at my riding school its a christmas SJ thingy! I cant wait!

[helenc]

Obviously it depends on the pony in question, some can be warmed up in & settled in 15-20 mins some take a little longer. I would say get on about 1/2 hour before you are due to jump - your warm up sounds fine.

Good Luck

[Ali_fewins]

Remember, when your warming up, you wont have the warm up to yourself! there will be other competitors there too, and if you do all these serpentines and transitions, etc..you likely to get in other riders way.

Good luck :)

[TemperTantrum13]

Get to know the pony is he stiff, hyper, or easily distracted... Take everything into consideration and then look at what he's being asked to do that day. If you guys are having a hard time with something don't practice it over and over in warm up. This will upset you and the pony and it'll become an issue in the ring. Warm up is a time to see if your pony is listening to your aids, accepting, soft, and tuned in. It is not a time to drill. Obviously warm up the way you would for a flat class then just to loosen him up over jumps take a few and call it quits. A few is not 15 a few is around 5 or 6. If he is willing, forward, and confident then you're ready.

[chaz_the_star]

Where are you doing it? Not Wellington?