Confidence has finally hit rock bottom....

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MrsMagoo

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And I dont know ive suddenly gone like it...well after having a prep talk from you guys the other day I went out this morning for BSJA at Limes Farm...

well what can I say, what a total bullsup and my confidence has now totally gone
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Warmed up for class, jumping well etc so went into class feeling really good and syked. Well made it as far as jump 3 before she put in a stop and i went flying over her head. I just dont know why
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So came out, jumped a jump in warm up to make sure shes ok etc then waitied for next class. By now I had already talked myself out of actually doing next class but Dad said we should bite the bullet or else i never would!!!! Sooo warmed up, bit shakey etc, went into class and by know was nearer throwing up lol. This time only got as far as jump 2 before she refused twice....well at least stayed on this time!!!!

I just dont know why shes suddenly taking the pee....and its really knocked me from jumping anymore. I know shes way more capable of jumping the classes, (BN/90cm Champs) as we have jumped upto 1.30m at home! Think it may stem from her having me of on hack last week
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well sorry for my ramble....thanks for reading
 
Wow, that really does sound like a great way to knock your confidence! I hope your OK? (physically if not mentally!) Could you take her schooling somewhere to get your confidence back?
 
tell me about it..especially when we've competed all summer and doing soo well!! was thinking of knocking cometing on the head till new year and spend december fitting in some lessons with my trainer and get me back to normal
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I think that sounds like a very sensible idea, why not give yourself a break and get back enjoying it all a bit again!

Have a few lessons, play at home and enjoy! It’s an expensive hobby after all, and there is just no point making yourself feel sick. The confidence will come back but it sounds to me like you just need a bit of time and fun!
 
I totally understand how you are feeling - if i could plot a graph of my confidence levels since getting my new mare, well they are plummeting downwards, which isnt helping the situation at all!

Luckily i have my other horse who i can jump on and restore my faith in horses!!

The only thing that keeps me going is my stubborness, refusing to let her win, plus the fact that i will loose so much money if i end up selling her!!

That comment about horses being an expensive hobby, well at times like this i cant help thinking that im mad!!!
 
visit www.jocooper.co.uk

Its done over the phone
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Also go and have some training, take your horse back to basics also to regain confidence
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This is what i did the TFT just helped iron out my anxieties but the training regain the confidence in my horse
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Hi Becky

I am so sorry to hear this
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I agree with you, i think you should spend Dec and maybe Jan just having a play and getting your confidence back again and spend the money having a few lessons.

There is nothing going on in the run up to Crimbo anyway as everyone is skint.

I'm sure you will be fine you just need to take the pressure off yourself for a bit.
 
Try to get to bottom of why she's stopping - pain, fear, naughtyness, spookiness, your lack of confidence etc. You'll certainly feel better for understanding the problem & can also map out a course of action. If it were me, I'd give competing a rest for a while, have some lessons & then start up agian at a lower height & see how it goes.

B.t.w., did you see my reply to you re the bucking thing - I think you need to work on focussing her on YOU.
 
performance nerves is totally normal, so please do not beat yourself up about it.
The problem is is that you are focusing on what might happen instead of what you are doing at the time. The horse will pick up on this because you are not riding with such positive gusto as you do at home.
There is a lot of distractions when you are out competing and that, sometimes, gets in the way of what really matters.
Teach yourself to focus on what is needed at the time, ie, the pace, the approach and the course line. Let the horse jump, you just need to get him there in balance.
think positive thoughts but direct these to certain aspects of your riding, one thing at a time, ie, I am capable of getting this horse to a jump, He is capable of jumping this, I am capable of looking at the next line of approach, I am capable of controlling his speed, I am capable of telling my horse that he can do this.
Good luck
regards
Dawn
 
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3 letters worked for me - TFT

Big hugs, it's a horrid feeling

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Sorry being thick, but whats TFT?

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Thought Field Therapy or something like that. It's a method of 'distracting' the brain to remove the fear
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Agree with what others have said though. Rule out the obvious things like pain first. I think you mentioned the horse is still very young too, so perhaps step back a while and do some different things for a while. Keep up the lessons, and if needs be get someone else to jump the horse for you a couple of times to get one half of your confidence back.

It's probably not related, but in the summer I went through a similar situation with Bo. One week we were on top of the world, the next week we went to a three day show and got eliminated in all but one class. Turned out the horse had a virus and bruised soles....so if it is totally out of character then get the vet out for a look
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Hi Rambo....no this mare is my older one, 9yrs now. Although she is a late started and only started competing this year when i got her!!

May get my friend to jump her at home and see what she thinks, but def just gonna chill out till new year now and both have a break!! Thanks everyone...:)
 
I would go and play ot other things like dressage, fun rides, hunting, hound exercise so that the horse doesn't think it show jumping everytime out...puts a bit of sparkle back.

A change is as good as a rest.

Keep up the lessons, too many people drop off their lessons when things are going well and gradually the wheels fall off. Maybe get your intructor to come to a comp with you and watch to see what is going wrong.
 
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