I have been getting really fed up with myself about my jumping nerves. I LOVE the reality of jumping but the thought makes me feel physically sick and I keep finding excuses to avoid it or just jump tiny jumps. I have entered 2 50cm classes and Zak has flown round them and I've been buzzing for hours, but the next day doubts creep in again! So it seems I can only jump when I'm actually competing!!
Today I gave myself a stern talking to, then took Zak into the jumping field and put the jumps up higher than we have jumped before: I guess 60-70cm including some spreads and a double. I warmed up over a couple of smaller ones then set off round a course. He was jumping really nicely jumped really big over the 2nd element of the double. At which point my stirrup leather broke.
Hit the deck quite hard, whacked my head, saw stars, then went to get a new stirrup leather. And then jumped the whole course - woop woop . For some reason the fall made me angry (these were BRAND NEW leathers )and the anger banished the nerves and I discovered Zak really can actually jump perfectly well and had no trouble with any of the fences!! (My 'no/low jumping' excuse tends to be that Zak can't really jump )
Then I went hacking and popped some tiny logs as we often do. Then we came to a log that is only a bit bigger than the tiny logs but which I always ride round. Not today. Time to jump!
Zak ducked out the first time - I think he was not expecting to jump it as we have always gone past before, but flew over it second time. Pic below. Ok not quite Badminton but baby steps!!!]]
Very pleased with myself and I am booking a jumping lesson with the YO who used to show jump for England! Onwards and upwards. (I hope!)
Today I gave myself a stern talking to, then took Zak into the jumping field and put the jumps up higher than we have jumped before: I guess 60-70cm including some spreads and a double. I warmed up over a couple of smaller ones then set off round a course. He was jumping really nicely jumped really big over the 2nd element of the double. At which point my stirrup leather broke.
Hit the deck quite hard, whacked my head, saw stars, then went to get a new stirrup leather. And then jumped the whole course - woop woop . For some reason the fall made me angry (these were BRAND NEW leathers )and the anger banished the nerves and I discovered Zak really can actually jump perfectly well and had no trouble with any of the fences!! (My 'no/low jumping' excuse tends to be that Zak can't really jump )
Then I went hacking and popped some tiny logs as we often do. Then we came to a log that is only a bit bigger than the tiny logs but which I always ride round. Not today. Time to jump!
Zak ducked out the first time - I think he was not expecting to jump it as we have always gone past before, but flew over it second time. Pic below. Ok not quite Badminton but baby steps!!!]]
Very pleased with myself and I am booking a jumping lesson with the YO who used to show jump for England! Onwards and upwards. (I hope!)