1st xcountry on sunday with my youngster and im worried!

[goneshowjumping]

ok, first time taking my ex racer to a xc comp! its only 2ft 6in, and its a restricted novice, and I have ridden the course before on him, and the only prob I had was at the water...he was a bit worried going in, but once in he was fine!
so all you experinced x county-ers.....how do you prepare for a first time with a baby? (he is 5 but mentally 2!!!).
my boy is very bold xc and loves it so I shouldnt be worried but I am!
is there anything I can work on in the school this week to prepare that would help him?

huge huge tub of ben and jerry's phish food for anyone with fab nerve busting ideas!!

 

[Renvers]

No expert in these areas so will bump for others to help.

Only advice would be make sure you are calm and chilled - and have everything prepared so no rushing around required, as you already have ridden course and know what areas may be an issue sounds like you are well prepared as any one can be.

It's always me not horse who needs help!!

Good luck and take pics

 

[Mrs_Wishkabibble]

Go and enjoy it and don't pressure yourself.
Take it as a schooling round and if you don't get round clear what does it matter.
I find that when you get into a rhythm on course you will be better off than the stop/start thing when you go somewhere schooling. Especially an ex racer.
Enjoy and take some pics to show us!

 

[goneshowjumping]

ah thanks guys, think I just have to mentally prepare myself! i dont think he will be worried it will be me!
had a fab session on him tonight practicing skinnies, and he was fab....no guide poles in the end and he flew it!
i think I just need to have a little more trust in boy!
thanks again, and ill have fun, and try and get some pics!

 

[owentm1]

If your problem or worry is water, is there anywhere you can go and practise before Sunday? If not an actual cross country course, what about local ponds and streams you can go and try splashing in to get both your confidences up?

If all else fails, Mrs_Wishkabibble is right, treat is as a schooling round and enjoy it. If you get round, it'll be a bonus, but if you don't, keep at it and it will come!!

Enjoy!!

 

[becca1305]

Sounds fun

Prepare. If you are late and rushing you will be tense and he will feel it.

Try and balance the warm up enough to get warm without starting to get nervous. Maybe warm up once on the flat away from the jumps if poss then go near the xc to pop as many as you need to before the off ?

Over the warm up fences jump first out of a secure canter or even a balanced trot, then come in in your xc canter before sitting 3 strides before (good reminder of where your balance needs to be so you dont wobble at the first fence on the course). Also jump the practice fence at least once off an angle each way to ensure he is listening to you and you have control over his body and direction so will be ready to tackle the skinnies on the course

Deep breaths on the course and even counting if you feel nervous it helps

make sure you get him listening to you before your approach to skinnies particularly after a long easy gallop so that he doesnt hesitate from being unsure and scramble it - you want him to be confident and enjoy it and not just think its one big galloping exercise

Enjoy once you settle into a rhythm you will be fine

One word of warning to avoid a set back if you fly round this time you will naturally be delighted but just make sure next time you compete/ xc school you ride just as strongly and accurately as the first time its easy to relax a little too much once you trust them!

Good luck let us know how you get on