KatB
Well-Known Member
Will keep it short as possible!
Took madam for her first jumping show since July last year, due to various issues which have meant a massive bill for NFU, but luckily a now VERY sound and very well feeling pony!
Anyway, she warmed up a darling, nice and chilled, jumping from a nice deep spot (we've been working on this massively!) and staying relaxed and calm, except the occasional hump and squeak just to show appreciation
Anyway, first class (dizzying heights of 80cm!) she was fine cantering round the arena, really soft and calm, turned to the first fence, and about 100yards out, she spins and naps, which is an old baby trick she used to do a lot! Patted her, kicked her forward, and she was off! Jumped a double clear, but she just felt hurried, and I couldn't make the adjustments I'd of liked. However, came 4th, and she went on all the lines etc I wanted.
Popped her back in the box, dragged her back out for the second class, warmed up over a bigger oxer very realxed, and jumped really sweetly. Took her in the ring, same nap at the first fence, same solution, all fine. I really made sure I was working on slowing the tempo, and keeping everything calm, which was fine! Jumped 4 well, turned towards 5, and literally as soon as she clocked it ( a long way out!), she slammed the brakes on and spun, ejecting me out the side door.
Now I am 99% sure that she does this when she isn't jumping off adrenalin (so going fast!) and just almost bottles it. It only happens in the ring, or when something really spooks her. If she has a hesitation at home, it's normally just a case of keeping her steady until she has worked it out herself, and then supporting her when she takes the fence on. However, at a competiton, she doesnt give me the chance to stay on to support her, she almost makes a snap decision, and that's that!! She almost "dares" herself loose jumping too, and will take herself round in a tiny trot, lock on to he fence and then gallop at them!
Any ideas what to try to sort this out?! I am happy staying over teeny stuff for as long as it takes, she has never been over faced, and the start of it was the spell of lameness she had. My friend who was with me reckons trying a calmer may be worth a try, just to take the "instinct" sharpness down a spell?!
Anyway, no "fat controller" friendly photo's unfortunately
but thanks in advance for any help 
Took madam for her first jumping show since July last year, due to various issues which have meant a massive bill for NFU, but luckily a now VERY sound and very well feeling pony!
Anyway, she warmed up a darling, nice and chilled, jumping from a nice deep spot (we've been working on this massively!) and staying relaxed and calm, except the occasional hump and squeak just to show appreciation
Anyway, first class (dizzying heights of 80cm!) she was fine cantering round the arena, really soft and calm, turned to the first fence, and about 100yards out, she spins and naps, which is an old baby trick she used to do a lot! Patted her, kicked her forward, and she was off! Jumped a double clear, but she just felt hurried, and I couldn't make the adjustments I'd of liked. However, came 4th, and she went on all the lines etc I wanted. Popped her back in the box, dragged her back out for the second class, warmed up over a bigger oxer very realxed, and jumped really sweetly. Took her in the ring, same nap at the first fence, same solution, all fine. I really made sure I was working on slowing the tempo, and keeping everything calm, which was fine! Jumped 4 well, turned towards 5, and literally as soon as she clocked it ( a long way out!), she slammed the brakes on and spun, ejecting me out the side door.
Now I am 99% sure that she does this when she isn't jumping off adrenalin (so going fast!) and just almost bottles it. It only happens in the ring, or when something really spooks her. If she has a hesitation at home, it's normally just a case of keeping her steady until she has worked it out herself, and then supporting her when she takes the fence on. However, at a competiton, she doesnt give me the chance to stay on to support her, she almost makes a snap decision, and that's that!! She almost "dares" herself loose jumping too, and will take herself round in a tiny trot, lock on to he fence and then gallop at them!
Any ideas what to try to sort this out?! I am happy staying over teeny stuff for as long as it takes, she has never been over faced, and the start of it was the spell of lameness she had. My friend who was with me reckons trying a calmer may be worth a try, just to take the "instinct" sharpness down a spell?!
Anyway, no "fat controller" friendly photo's unfortunately
but thanks in advance for any help 
and he would spin straight away, without even giving me a chance to show him, he would just instantly say "no way, not going near that!" have a little paddy then (if I had stayed on!) I would just ask him again and he'd be like "oh, ok it wasn't that scary" sooo annoying! 
