Combined training next week so nervous any tips

[emily.connie]

My dressage is sorted and couldn't be better.
I am doing an 80cm jumping. I haven't jumped over 60cm
In a month due to a bad fall on my horse but I really wanted to go to this show with my friend - who's an amazing and experienced rider who always helps me- and 80cm was the smallest class at this event.
It's a really low key event with not many people attending.
I wanted to practise jumping today but the sand school got crouded and everyone got in my way and I fell off twice. I didn't jump over 50cm
The show is next week and I have owned my horse just over a month. I have not done a spread with him and never jumped him over any fillers. I cannot ride this weekend as I'm away. I have a lesson Tuesday too. My show is Thursday.
I can not tell you how nervous I am but I really want to go.
Does anybody have any tips and how I can prepare myself?
Also this is the first time competing my horse and this is my first show in a year and his first show in 4 years. He's a very frisky and temperamental 18 year old thoroughbred!
He doesn't like doing a jump at full height. You have to gradually build it up from a 20cm and keep going up after every 2 jumps and he will then be more than happy to do up to a metre.

Thanks so much!

 

[PonyclubmumZ]

Wow I won't beat around the bush, you had set yourself quite a challenge! That is not to say its not doable though.

How about thinking about your goals for the day? What do you want to achieve? Would you be happy with a good dressage and doing one or two of the jumps? Do you want to give every jump a go? Once you have worked out what you want to achieve, can you focus your lesson around that? I would have a couple of scenario plans in my head depending on how things go on the day, how my horse behaves and how my lesson goes.

In terms of nerves I think arriving with loads of extra time so you and your horse can have a good walk around before you start your warm up proper is a big help. I also like a little mantra in my head as I trot around "this is fun and I want to give it my best shot" helps my nerves and gives me something to think about.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.