Awful day! Broken car + fall @ XC Schooling

Kokopelli

Kokopelli

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So we managed to break down today on the way to Swacliffe, going up an A road on a steep hill. We just lost power going up and at one point almost went backwards down the hill. Its a very popular rat run for artic lorries that go past 60-70mph right on the brow of the hill. Really dodgy place to be. So we rung the police and they shut the road whilst we transferred the horses to a different box. I was very worried about Andy as he gets on his toes at shows so put his bridle on.

I think they were quite stressed having had lorries and cars going past for the last 30mins and it took a few minutes to get them back on the trailer. Luckily we shared a lift with someone or he would have been a lot more stressed. I can honestly say that breaking down with horses is a terrifying experience but the police were lovely and most the traffic were very understanding and a handful of people stopped for us.

Despite this we decided to continue to Swacliffe. (I wasn't so keen but my friend wanted to so I was happy to go along.) So we got there only 30 mins late as we leave lots of extra time just in case. I got on Andy he had a bit of a bucking fit but that was expected so I rode him forward. Then we started jumping, it was going quite nice Andy was really controlled and I was enjoying myself. :eek: :D

At one point we did some steps than a turn, 2 strides to a skinny. I slipped my reins for the steps and didn't get them back in time for the skinny and my lovely pony jumped the skinny anyway! Bless his cottons :D

Until it came to the ditch. Now its not like Andy to stop at things but he stopped so I rode him on and we got over it. Then we did a bit of a combination, log 2 strides bigger ditch, steps then a skinny. We jumped the log came into the ditch he dropped his shoulder and turned very suddenly and took off in the other direction. I fell off my air jacket went off which took most the fall (which I can honestly say is amazing as I fell on hard ground and didn't feel a thing.) Remounted and did the combination but left out the skinny after the steps.

Then the next jump was a boat through the fence. For some reason he stopped, and its not like Andy to stop. I think we were both shaken up from the fall and I wasn't riding well neither was he. But still he normally jumps no matter what stride I put him on and no matter how much of a numpty I am. Today was the first run out he's ever done with me. I got him over it without an issue but I'm really worried that this is going to be permanent. I'm scared this running out thing is going to happen more often.

We plan to hire out a xc once the car is better with a friend and get our stride back. I'm hoping it isn't permanent as we jumped a lovely clear at 1.05m on Saturday so I'm very pleased with him. Fingers crossed we get to the bottom of it.

Video (Please note the cheering when I fall off as my friends wanted to see the jacket go off:rolleyes:)
[youtube]QeSdmw4XZ0I[/youtube]

I have some more piccies but don't want to be moved to PG so will only put the one in. :)


I can also report that all the portables there were fixed down! :)
 
oh god how scary for you! what did you do with the car when you went schooling??? :eek::)

he looks really good, very keen :) with ditches i would maybe try trotting to them at the minute as he does look a bit unsure. trotting with a slightly longer rein will allow him to assess what he needs to do and also will be easier to sit he he does decide to drop his shoulder as you'll have more warning! also, if he stops- try to not let him turn away from the fence, if its small he can do it from a standstill- or a short run up at most...
sure it won't take him long to get into the groove, he looks to be really enjoying himself! i don't know how you cope with 2 reins XC i'd get horrendously tangled! :D
 
Sorry to hear you had a bad day - no wonder you were shaken up though, that kind of situation with the car would really stress me out.

I am sure the running out isn't a permanent thing. Watching the video you look a bit tense and are riding a bit defensively [I don't mean this critically, but just compared to how you normally look on him] - which is completely understandable given the circumstances, and I'd say the odds are just that he picked up that you weren't feeling as confident and positive as usual and had a bit of a wobble.

I'm sure the next time you go out he'll be fab, you're doing a great job with him :)
 
Very stressful situation to be in. My dad came and met us so he went with the car to the garage and my mum and our friends carried on to Swacliffe. I'm gutted though as I left my M&Ms in the car and I really fancy some now.

I hope your right spiral, I think after the fall I was a bit too defensive. The ditch wasn't a nice ditch either.
 
Can I offer a top tip from a useless rider who has watched SO many lessons with what is essentially a big, green version of Andy?

Ditches are dead easy of you totally ignore them and keep kicking from a nice strong canter! Reg slams on the brakes if Al lets him trot in or is careful over them. If she just kicks on and is really hugely positive he pings! Because Andy's done it before, he's probably just seeing what you think now and you're riding him beautifully :)

Very elegant fall btw! Please post more pictures- you're allowed... I've got hundreds in all my reports!!
 
I would have been a nervous wreck in that situation!

I'm sure the running out won't be a problem - as you said probably just a bit of stress after the fall. Glad the P2 worked well (it gets far too much stick on here!).
Also good news that all the fences were fixed :D

My internet is playing up and I can't watch the video :(
 
He looks well :)
I think you set yourself up for it a bit as you let him turn away from it the first time. Also, his jump is quite awkward afterwards- are you giving enough with your hands? He's jumping quite hollow.
 
Breaking down with the horses is an absolutely nightmare, glad you got it all sorted out and good for you for continuing with your day.

Don't let the run out worry you, these things happen. It doesn't mean it will happen again, you got back on him, did a few more jumps and everything is fine, so don't dwell on it. Do you mind if I do make a suggestion though? It's meant in the nicest possible way and feel free to ignore it as I don't jump myself and may be totally off the mark. From what I can see in these videos he is a bit fast and hollow to the fences which doesn't allow you any control or to make any corrections. He seems very genuine which means you both get over the fence fine, but, if you did need to set him up, sort out his stride or make corrections to keep you both safe it would be more difficult with this style of approach. You also seem to be left a bit behind at some of the fences which makes him a bit more difficult to collect again after the fence. Hope you don't take this the wrong way, you are doing a great job with him, he looks fab, just some thoughts on things you may want to work on in the future. :)
 
Sounds like your day didnt start well but well done for geting back on track and jumping after your fall. On a positive note you look to have much more controll now.
 
'Warp' speed, lol :p I think it was a lot calmer today, I think as I'm used to him a bit more now I have lots of little exercises to keep him controlled. I'm hoping to have him back in his snaffle for jumping soon! :)

Booboos- I see what you mean about hollowing. He doesn't make it easy sometimes. The camera lady only managed to get some film as it was so sunny but the ones she did get on film were the bad fences where we got sticky, got a bit under and I jabbed poor Andy in the mouth. Over pretty much all the other fences we had much better jumps. I'm hoping that once I'm used to him all these awful moments will be less and less.

Lolo- will give that a go when I next get out xcing. :)
 
he is looking really good, looks completely different from the last post of yours i saw, you need to give yourself some credit at how far you both have come since you got him, and he will take time to adjust to things he hasnt seen, im not a that brave when it comes to xc but i tend to talk to taz going round it, takes my mind of the fences and he probs wants to shut me up so will jump to see if it will happen ;)

The running out thing is something you will both grow out of as you's will grow in confidence with each other as time goes on :)
 
Just to reassure you slightly we use Swalcliffe a lot for schooling with our PC and that ditch takes a lot of prisoners! Well done though, he's coming along beautifully.
 
I'm afraid the car breaking down would have done me in!!! So well done for continuing with training! He's looking well now and you are definately going great guns with your work with him. Ditches are my one only show off moment...ditches we do with no problems..most other XC jumps scare the hat off me!!! Luckily I have an extreamly brave boy who tends to get us over no matter what I try to tell him!!!;)
 
Crikey - all I can say is you've got bigger b*llks than me! I'd be snivelling into a cup of tea back at the yard LOL.
 
and on a completely different note... tell your commentators I thought their conversation was hilarious!! got distracted trying to work out what they were talking about!
 
He looks fab!
I wouldnt worry about the stops tbh. The ditch it looked like he was surprised by it the first time. Its probably the first time in ages that he has done ditchs and maybe because he is so brave you were a bit blasai and just expected him to do it? I would trot in next time to give him more time, he just looks surprised by them as he jumps them nicely the 2nd time he sees them.
The boat fence its hard to see it from the vid but again maybe he didn't realise it was a jump? He may have thought it was just the fence line of the field... the 2nd time his little ears are pricked, he's locked on and jumps it fine.
Its hard to tell from the videos but I dont think you have anything to worry about, just more XC practice and he will get into the swing of it. Also you were both really shaken by the breakdown (Ive been in that position before and I know how awful it is) so the pair of you may have been feeling a bit fragile.

I can guarantee its not a long term problem, don't let yourself dwell on it :)
 
The commentators are great, still don't know what they're talking about. Something about rugby, I love the swearing as well when I fell off, that's the DC haha :p

I'm glad we continued as I did enjoy myself but think it would have been much more enjoyable without all the rubbish.

I think you're right firewell, hopefully some more schooling and me feeling a bit more confident we'll be flying. I'm booked in for a little ODE so got something to aim for now. :)
 
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