Bernster
Well-Known Member
I fell off at fence 2 of our first (and so far only) attempt xc competing 
!
!
3rd weekend in April plans?
- Thread starter Accidental Eventer
- Start date
Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
I fell off at fence 2 of our first (and so far only) attempt xc competing
Falls happen in any kind of riding. Doesn’t mean it will happen again in a similar situation. Why did you fall?
Bernster
Well-Known Member
Hmm.. stopped and swerved out at fence 2 then buggered off back to the lorry park! But the longer answer is - not enough warm up, I dropped the contact coming into the fence, and I didn’t realise he hadn’t locked on and he was actually napping off towards the left (warm up area/lorry park). (Thinking about what I can do to try and stop that happening is one thing, being prepared to give it a go is another!
)
Last edited:
Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
Every time something goes wrong or unexpectedly in an event, hack, lesson or even schooling session, you gain experience and learn a bit more about your horse and your own ‘freeze’ behaviours. Ie the instinctive things you do when nervous or hesitant - we all have them. Things like taking the leg off, tipping forward, chucking the reins at the horse, staring down at the fence or ditch, getting passive etc. You analysed the problem and know what to do. Not just at fence 2 at that venue but also you now know he might nap back to other horses and he might run out. So when walking courses think ‘ok here there is an inviting run out to the left - how can I ride this?’ Or ‘here the course runs past the warm up area and turns away again. Just be prepared for napping and keep him mentally with me and forward.’ (Kelsall had a real nap-magnet turn on it). Or ‘this fence intimidates me. I need to look up at that tree on the hill and kick on’.
When you know in theory how to ride each part of the course. Then mentally rehearse over and over again, locking in the feel of what you want.
A major way we all get better is by messing up and then learning how not to next time! The only way we improve our horses is by discovering the gaps in their confidence and understanding, and learning their quirks then addressing them. Both in competition (longer warm up, anticipate and prevent napping) and in schooling between competitions.
My first 3 or 4 events were mainly exercises in how not to event.
When you know in theory how to ride each part of the course. Then mentally rehearse over and over again, locking in the feel of what you want.
A major way we all get better is by messing up and then learning how not to next time! The only way we improve our horses is by discovering the gaps in their confidence and understanding, and learning their quirks then addressing them. Both in competition (longer warm up, anticipate and prevent napping) and in schooling between competitions.
My first 3 or 4 events were mainly exercises in how not to event.
Chippers1
Well-Known Member
I will do! Trying to work out how I can get Buzz involved in the wedding too...
Of course
Sorry it's a big photo
the stones on the side are made from fossils
Bernster
Well-Known Member
Thanks AE I’m going to use that to work on my mindset and prep.
What you said also gave me a mini lightbulb moment. I’m doing everything I can not to fall off, which is ofc a sensible thing, but I can’t eliminate that possibility. If I want to ride, jump and compete, I have to accept that I could fall off. Weirdly that’s making me feel a bit better!
What you said also gave me a mini lightbulb moment. I’m doing everything I can not to fall off, which is ofc a sensible thing, but I can’t eliminate that possibility. If I want to ride, jump and compete, I have to accept that I could fall off. Weirdly that’s making me feel a bit better!
Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
Yes you need to accept it will happen but you won't ever know exactly when or why, so accept and then forget about it! Plus it is much better to ride for what you actually want, not to try and avoid what you don't want. Same with mountain biking: if you try to avoid rocks and roots you are more likely to hit them. If you focus on the line you DO want to ride you are more likely to ride that line. And avoid the roots. So focus on keeping him listening, forward, straight and 'with' you. On seeing lines early and riding positively. Then the run outs and napping take care of themselves. And so falls are way less likely.
Accidental Eventer
Well-Known Member
Congrats Chippers, love the ring!
We went XC training today and had fun. It was cold and so windy but we stayed dry so thats good. Henry and I had fun, we jumped well and did lots of things we used to do! Nice to feel he still gets it and enjoys it. I do love XC.
We went XC training today and had fun. It was cold and so windy but we stayed dry so thats good. Henry and I had fun, we jumped well and did lots of things we used to do! Nice to feel he still gets it and enjoys it. I do love XC.