ANY TIPS OUT THERE FOR TAKING A 5YEAR OLD TO HIS FIRST SJ COMPETITION?

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char3101

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My friend is taking her new horse, a 5year old gelding to his first trailblazers meeting tomorrow along with my quiet 8 year old gelding whos been there and done it, he's quiet enough at home, we obviously just don't know what he's going to be like. it's indoor aswell, i thought it may help in a way, less to look at and we were going to get there in good time to settle him. any other tips at all???? I suggested taking him without the aim to compete and just see how he goes, if he is quiet take him in the ring and see how he goes?
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Yeah, good idea. Go with no intention to compete (but arrive in plenty of time in case she wants to). If the horse is really wound up at the lorry then I wouldnt even bother riding at all. If the horse is ok, gently ride about the pratice ring and if still ok then maybe Id pop a fence then see how he is from there. Id only enter the smallest class (since indoors is usually spooky!) and only if the horse was calm and being sensible.

Good luck!
 
A few weeks ago i took my 5 yr old to his first sj comp and i would say Yep definatly allow plently of time, keep relaxed when tacking up etc and when mounted I walked around the centre for about 15mins by myself (going through car park and around the outside of the school)before going in the warm up. If possible go in there when you see a quite spell. Warm up like you would at home, try a fence or two etc. If its a centre where you can take your horse into the collecting ring before your round then make us of that, so he can see whats it about.
have fun and good luck!
xxx
 
I did my 1st SJ comp on Sun I went with the intention of doing nothjing more than a clear round. We led her around initially to tka e in the sites - it was v busy. Then when she seemed ok I mounted walked around for several mins to settle and then went on to warm up. Assesed her over practice fence and she was great to opted to do the clear round - which she was great in (despite the warm up being next to it). Just see how the horse feels
 
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I mounted walked around for several mins to settle and then went on to warm up.

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I think this point depends on the horse and there are definitely different schools of thought. Personally I have a definite routine with babies that seems to have worked well.

I prefer to get them into the collecting ring early (when it is quiet) and get them switched on and working fairly hard doing lots of transitions, changes of rein and perhaps some small jumps. That gets their mind focused on working and not messing around.

Once they are settled (will probably take about 15-20 mins) I stop and then let them walk around the whole place on a long rein and take in the sights. By then the collecting ring is usually busy anyway and it is best to get out of the way (to avoid a fright if someone gets too close).

I would then pop back into the collecting ring just for a few minutes before I went into the ring to get them switched back on.

I usually enter the clear round class twice and ride 2 consecutive rounds, aiming to take it slow and build confidence. I would be looking for the second round to be more confident than the first.

My personal view is that clear round with 2 tickets is better than doing the first class because you don't have to leave the ring if you have a problem, you can work through it. Most centres are quite understanding if you explain and will often drop fences down for you if you get stuck.

Then I would probably call it a day for the first outing.

I would repeat that until everything was good and we were getting 2 nice clear rounds before I entered a class. Might take 2 outings, might take 5 or 6.
 
Yes, to all of the above. A real 'suck it and see' experience. Aim to give the horse a positive memory of the outing and don't go above what you think it can cope with, even if you end up not leaving the lorry park! Fingers crossed and I hope you enjoy yourselves. There's nothing like the high of baby's first 'happy' clear round!
 
You've been given loads of advice by all the above & it's all very valid. Possibly one of the best pieces is to remain very calm yourself. If you remain calm then your horse will pick upon you & it will help him to stay the same.

Good Luck
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Well how well behaved was that baby tonight!! Showed my 8 year old up who was getting rather exited at the fact that he was going jumping!!!! Thank you for all your help everyone.

xxxxx
 
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