Awful showjumping day/bit/tack advice

Jmillwood

Jmillwood

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31 August 2010
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Harlow, Essex
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Help!

So went showjumping today with my 17hh 17 yo warmblood/tb. Was a trailblazers qualifier. Now Mozart is an incredible jumper - bold and never stops. Only problem today someone had inserted a rocket up his backside. He reared twice with me in warm up, napped and was generally a plonker. I managed to calm him down got into the arena got a nice canter, over the first and that was it! Vrrrooommmm........no brakes. Each jump he just got stronger and stronger. Lost steering, head down and off he went. We got four faults but got 6th place but didnt qualify :(

He has always been a bit over keen but today he was also manic. Ive been riding 24 years and today he scared me. I school him a lot he is in good work, feeding regime excellent, back checked, teeth checked, saddle checked etc etc. He wears a grakle and a french link dutch gag. I really dont want a very strong bit in as he is sensitive and has a wonderful mouth for dressage, but I cant not, not have brakes.

Help and advice please on my 17 yo going on 3!

Much thanks ;)
 
You need to make what is over exciting and too thrilling routine for him, so that he has a point of reference. ie repetition, calmness and hopefully he will begin to pick up on that and get the message. Not sure how often you've jumped him, or how long you've had him, but you need to jump him at home, get him listening to you, repeat at a show, repeat again. Maybe at first he will only listen to you 10% of the time, but the next it might be 20% of the time, and so on. It doesn't matter if he is 17 if he is finding it all too exciting, its his current mindset so thats what you have to work with. Although I don't know how possible this is all going to be with a 17 yo, depends on how sound he is and how well he takes his work.
 
I do try and jump once a week, school three times a week and hack twice....although not jumped as much recently as I need someone with me to help and Ive been a bit lonesome recently. Touching wood @I am very lucky with Mo, he looks, beahves and is built like a five year old. Ive owned him for three years and progressively jumping at competitions is getting more and more excitable for him. He is very fit and would go for hours if given the chance! If I could I would try and school at these venues but pennies arent always that available!
 
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