LauraBR
Well-Known Member
Was a little bit in too minds about even going... still can't put anything more than a loose cavesson on him with a sheepskin cover AND he's not been allowed turnout for a week AND recently he seems to find jumping the most exciting thing in the world...
But we went anyway as the break is doing him no good, worth a crack at it. It's only a 75cm winter hunter trial, xc jumps moved into big outdoor arena. Got there and jumps looked tiny and he was actually really settled over the practice jumps.
Got him in the ring for a clear round class they do first and he went totally stupid, massive spooks, not listening AT ALL, tanking off and generally being totally silly. Felt as though I had no control at all, he ended up refusing number 2, leaping up sideways when I put my leg on, spinning and ditching me. Gah!!!!!! I ALWAYS come off at this bloomin hunter trial
Hopped back on and got round the rest (clear round is over first 7 of 15 fences) but it was sooooo haphazard and out of control, he refused a couple more but we got round in the end. Decided it would be best to call it a day after I took him back into the warm up and he took off with me. Wouldn't settle at all.
Just before my number was called for my proper round I suddenly decided to go for it which, I think was a pretty silly decision based on what I had to go on BUT so glad I did! I had much more control and he jumped beautifully!!!! Had 2 refusals but he went over the second time and it got better and better. Although he was pretty naughty earlier I came away really, really pleased with him
.
Didn't feel too bad about the fall and the refusals either- seems like quite a few other people had taken a break over Christmas too! Loads of falls, even more refusals and only a handful of clear rounds (despite no poles to knock down) in a v big class.
So, we are getting back on track in our usual slightly haphazard rollercoaster way
(THANK GOD I lunged him before we set off lol!)
But we went anyway as the break is doing him no good, worth a crack at it. It's only a 75cm winter hunter trial, xc jumps moved into big outdoor arena. Got there and jumps looked tiny and he was actually really settled over the practice jumps.
Got him in the ring for a clear round class they do first and he went totally stupid, massive spooks, not listening AT ALL, tanking off and generally being totally silly. Felt as though I had no control at all, he ended up refusing number 2, leaping up sideways when I put my leg on, spinning and ditching me. Gah!!!!!! I ALWAYS come off at this bloomin hunter trial
Hopped back on and got round the rest (clear round is over first 7 of 15 fences) but it was sooooo haphazard and out of control, he refused a couple more but we got round in the end. Decided it would be best to call it a day after I took him back into the warm up and he took off with me. Wouldn't settle at all.
Just before my number was called for my proper round I suddenly decided to go for it which, I think was a pretty silly decision based on what I had to go on BUT so glad I did! I had much more control and he jumped beautifully!!!! Had 2 refusals but he went over the second time and it got better and better. Although he was pretty naughty earlier I came away really, really pleased with him
Didn't feel too bad about the fall and the refusals either- seems like quite a few other people had taken a break over Christmas too! Loads of falls, even more refusals and only a handful of clear rounds (despite no poles to knock down) in a v big class.
So, we are getting back on track in our usual slightly haphazard rollercoaster way
(THANK GOD I lunged him before we set off lol!)
