Dee's first XC experience. Oh dear god lol

ann-jen

ann-jen

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 December 2004
Messages
3,601
Location
co durham
Visit site
Well bless her she's never seen a XC fence before so I had no idea what to expect. The weather was pants! Absolutely hoying it down when we got there. We waited for the worst to pass and then I decided to stick a waterproof jacket under my body protector. Kinda big mistake as its still pretty warm so I just turned myself into the human boil in the bag lol
Anyway she looked shocked when she got off the lorry and tense when I got on so we went for a quiet ride round and slow warm up before jumping our first fence which was approx 18" high but Dee felt it necessary to jump about 4' in the air over just to be on the safe side lol. We jumped it two or three times. My friend was having a few issues getting her horse to jump it so I thought I'd move on and wander to the next fence.
Dee unfortunately then noticed that "the Hoppings" funfair was actually camped out directly in front of her in the park over the road. She stopped dead and when I put my leg on reared up and then looked for my friends horse for moral support! Bless her not only has she never done any XC but I think it's fairly unlikely she's encountered a fair before either. She then became inseparable from DJ (friends horse)
But despite that she jumped everything I asked of her including a log pile, roll top and a combination. She never stopped at anything despite being extremely anxious. She just over jumped everything sometimes by miles. She certainly has scope! But I could feel her back lift and she made a beautiful if extravagant shape over everything!
Sadly the water was cordoned off and looked like it needed a revamp so we didn't get a chance to go through the water. But in some ways I'm glad because the whole experience was fairly mind blowing for her and she was so anxious that I think it might have been just a bit too much for her!
But I think the more she goes the better she will be and will try to find a nice inviting water to get her through fairly soon. I actually think once she gets over her initial confidence issues she could be quite a good XC pony!
Friends hubby took some photos so if there are any good ones will post them.....am dying to see if she was over jumping as big as it felt! Could be some comedy pics lol
So positives were jumping everything well. In fact v pleased with the actual jumping. And despite the fact she was v nervous. And had brakes in just a snaffle.
Negatives were napping and rearing when asked to leave friends horse. But think that's just a confidence issue and being as I've only had her a few weeks hopefully this should resolve as we get to know each other better.
Generally pleased with her :-)
 
Well done you for getting out and about so soon after getting her. She sounds like she coped really well for her first time and having to face a funfair as well! Just seen your pics and she definitely has scope. I'm taking mine xc for our first time together hopefully next week so hope she is as good as your girl.
 
Lol sounds like an eventful day! Any pics??? Giggling at the boil in the bag human ha ha
 
Thanks guys :-)
I don't think it was too bad a start and bearing in mind its probably only the 3rd or 4th time I've jumped her.
I'm sure the anxiety will reduce the more she does and the better we get to know each other. With the napping, I'm trying to remain calm and when she plants and just try to move her in a different direction to get her moving any way but reverse, then go back in the original direction. She does this a little at home hacking on her own. She usually caves within a minute or two and then is fine for the rest of the session/hack. I think it's a lack of trust thing so don't want to come down too heavy handed with her! Plus the poor soul is terrified of whips so think someone may have given her a beating for it at some point in the past. Just holding the whip out to the side is enough to get a reaction from her without actually having to use it. I'm hoping patient persistence will win the day! But at the same time don't wish to be a total push over! The rears are very small only a couple of inches off the floor but its not a habit I wish to escalate! My feeling is if she's anxious then being harsh will only add to that but being too airy fairy with her isn't right either. Hopefully I'm somewhere in the middle but would welcome thoughts! My instructor and friends think the problem will resolve with time as we develop a better bond. Hope they are right!
Didn't mean to go into a napping rant on here! But she is an anxious soul and that's how she shows it! If I took that out the equation from yesterday I'd have been over the moon with her as she went very well indeed.
Wee brown. Good luck with your XC debut and have fun :-)
 
Your approach to the napping sounds spot on to me. And well done, sounds like a very positive first outing and you were quite right not to do too much - she will go home and process all that, and come out more confident next time...
 
Yes despite her being keyed up. I'm hoping she went home thinking it wasn't as bad as she thought when she got herself worked up! Think she will enjoy it when she gets over the tension! :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top