Careful mare but sticky and spooky.

C

charlotte79

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Ok guys....need your opinions...again. so my wonderful mare who I've trained myself keeps throwing different problems at me. Currently competing BE90 after doing a season of 80s and ending on 2 90s last season...plus loads of UA90s. 2yrs ago we had a corner issue...mainly my fault for overfacing us both but we got over that and now fly corners (to the point I take the flag out with my sticky out feet). Sj has always been harder as shes very spooky and trying to keep her in a decent rhythm when sucking back took some working on but we finally got a decent clear this weekend. Ditches became a problem after a group lesson but she seems to be over them for now. Now it seems to be the first fence xc....always been sticky to the first but this weekend she actually stopped. Gutted after our clear sj. Now normally I ride her super strong to the first and think maybe after our great sj I let the pressure off slightly but does anyone have any tips for sticky spooky horses to keep them sharp to the leg. I feel like we're getting somewhere and then its something else...I'm hoping if I stick at it it will all fall into place. She will never be a super brave galloping type and I'm fine with that but she knows her job now and a little help from her would be nice....or will it always be a case of riding every fence like she's going to stop!? Just to add ..anything technical...skinnies etc with the more shortened powered canter shes great at...maybe I need to do this at the first!?
 
The first and last fence must always be ridden with extra care, they are the two that the rider tends to think are easy and can let the pressure off, you mare sounds the type to take her confidence from being ridden positively so you need to be on the ball at every fence if you are going to be competitive, some don't require so much input but those that do tend to sense when you are not riding 100% purposefully and seize their opportunity to run out or stop, it doesn't mean they dont enjoy it just they are not as bold as some, these types need a switched on rider from the minute they leave the start box until they go through the finish.
 
Oh naughty, naughty. I expect you were gutted.

Would agree 100% with the above comments. I had a mare that wouldn't jump a pole on the ground unless she was ridden correctly into it.

I don't know who said it, but it is true that no course is easy until you have jumped it! Sometimes the simplest fence can catch you out. Have to ride every fence as if they might want to stop.
 
This is my mare!! I always have to ride her between leg and hand if there are poles lying around on the ground to go over! I was so buzzing to have got a clear sj I reckon I took my eye off the ball. She will teach me to ride that's for sure. I see so many riders whizzing around in a 2point and think to myself how different I have to ride!
 
be positive said:
The first and last fence must always be ridden with extra care, they are the two that the rider tends to think are easy and can let the pressure off, you mare sounds the type to take her confidence from being ridden positively so you need to be on the ball at every fence if you are going to be competitive, some don't require so much input but those that do tend to sense when you are not riding 100% purposefully and seize their opportunity to run out or stop, it doesn't mean they dont enjoy it just they are not as bold as some, these types need a switched on rider from the minute they leave the start box until they go through the finish.
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Yes...from now on I am riding every fence like my life depends on it! She isn't bold...partly due to my riding no doubt but we are a team and I am now confident enough to send her on when she falters..I will make sure I do!
 
Oh yes, I remember now. Another trick this girl had up her sleeve. Jump a clear round show jumping, go into the jump-off and stop at the first fence. Be warned! She would go the second time and jump round clear, but didn't make her popular.
 
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