Confidence issues in the ring (rider)

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sammiea

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All i did at Towerlands on sunday was cry. Dunlop and I have now been together for about 6mths and things have been going fab but all of a sudden i am losing my confidence in the ring. We warm up perfectly (sunday was no exception) and then i get in the ring and freeze. My mind starts telling me i cant jump the jumps, that i'm going to fall off and so on.
Poor loppy didnt know what to do... 1st fence i didnt go with him at all, 2nd fence slightly better but the time i turned him into the combi at 3 a&b to 4 he just said no thanks. Was my fault though, i have watched it back on video and he dropped out of trot and then i hurried him to canter and didnt ride to the fence so he just glanced out the side. Did exactly the same on 2nd attemped (probably worse cause i was worried he'd stop again)

I have never been like this before, i'm usually really positive and ride round with leg on meaning to complete the course but now i dont really even want to go in the ring.

I was also entered for the 90 amature but withdrew cause i felt so sick at the thought of going in the ring. We dont have these issues at home and we jump really well together.

It's really making me feel like i want to give up riding, but i dont want to cause i love my horses and i used to love competing all the time. I have jumped 110 tracks on ellie and not even thought about it but no for some stupid reason i THINK i cant do

Has anyone else been through a rough patch like this?
How do i work through it?



*** Today ***

Have made plans with hubby & YO (also my trainer) to go to the Norton Heath evening jumping tonight to just school round and try and get over my issues.
I've been fine about going until i woke up this morning and now i'm a nervous wreck why? It's driving me mad

I just feel like giving up
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Yeah, was going to suggest schooling round courses for a while and also maybe going right down level-wise purely so you can stop worrying about refusals (ie. if they stop at 2'6ish then you can at least make him do it from a stand still). Have you had a fall? ie. do you know whats triggered this?
 
It can be a real problem if you suddenly find yourself scared. A few years ago I had a real crisis of confidence.

I would recommend that you get dressed up and take your horse to a competition and just trot around the warm up and don't even think of entering anything. Put him back in the box and go home afterwards.

Hopefully you can get over this and start to compete again. If not - what's the problem. I love my horse. I love hacking and generally looking after her. You don't have to compete to enjoy yourself.
 
I would be tempted to drop down a level or two and do some low key unaffiliated stuff that you wont feel under pressure doing. Is there a venue that has maybe a bigger arena so that you have longer between fences to get it together and maybe once you get into a rhythm it might be easier.
Is it the horse you are unsure of or the actual jumping? If it is the horse then maybe get a friend to take him in and maybe if you saw him go round ok it might make you want to go in and do it. If it is the actual jumping in the ring, do lower fences to get more confident. Set yourself a small goal every time you go, even if it is just that you jump a small clear round and then next time maybe do a bigger round. You are not the only one, we all get nerves - I know I do!
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I had a fall in december whilst jumping at a show and i think that is what has triggered this fear of going in the ring. The fall was a complete mis-communication between the two of us.

I know both horse and i can do it just i'm having issues with my confidence.
 
i'd agree about going down a level or two, to something he can just carry you round if you point him at the right ones. if you're worrying about what everyone else with think because it's in public and everyone's watching (you say you're fine at home, so i wonder if this is part of it?) then try to remember that everyone else is totally wrapped up in themselves, and if they do think anything at all, it'll only be "thank goodness it's not me for once!"
why don't you go and do a minimus or sth tonight, and set yourself the goal of just jumping the first 3 fences in the ring, and being happy with that. give yourself permission to pull up, pat the horse, salute the judge, and go out. of course, if you're actually having a good time in there, you have permission to do the next 2, or whatever... entirely up to you.
 
Apart from obvious choices like dropping the level and just doing clear rounds etc you could try some sports psychology.
Have a look on here: http://www.mind4sport.com/.

I would try to really think of WHAT is it that you are nervous of (exactly) and think of ways of eliminating those worries one by one.
Also - have you tried NLP (neuro linguistic programming)? Some people I know have tried it and I must say I am impressed with the results.


I hope you will enjoy jumping again!
 
I've had pretty much the same problem lately. Went to Duckhurst on saturday to do the 1m after having confidently done the 90cm and 95cm courses a couple of weeks ago, and it went completley wrong. Boomer was really backing oof the fences which made me nervous meaning we had some sticky situations and ended up getting eliminated. Jumped him today at home and he's really lost his nerve.

Try going down a couple of levels, even if you do find it diddy atleast you're confident and having FUN.
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Good luck and don't give up, just keep going out and eventually you should learn to relax.
 
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