Competition nerves

[racebuddy]

Evening , I've been competing from as long as I can remember showing I can handle better , however whenever I am showjumping my other horse I get really nervous especially when it's a qualifier for example at the weekend had a qualifier rode like a pile
Of rubbish he's a sharp sensitive horse so I need to be focused , made a co plate mess of my first class not riding
Him forward ect and not concentration , was fine in the second and third class and placed and qualifiers , I then get annoyed with myself , is it just me ?

 

[Firewell]

No I'm frigging hopeless when it comes to nerves. I have a really good horse as well who is especially forgiving and I still feel like a terrified rabbit in headlights before a jumping class. I am better when I do several classes in one day.. the first class I often ride like a pile of poo but by the third I'm normally Ok. Mental visualization on the run up to a show helps, especially with riding despite the nerves but I don't think anything will take away the stomach churning while waiting in the collecting ring. My poor horse, he's so good as well. He's learnt by now that the first class often means I bury him into a few! Luckily at home 90% of the time I ride to a good stride so he doesn't seem to mind helping out too much when he has to.