AppaloosaPonyHorse
Well-Known Member
So last Saturday did my first jumping competion on Cyrus, who is my first horse and have had him 3 months. Was also first competion I have ever done that was not at a riding school.
Had a great day, really enjoyed it, despite getting eliminated at 2nd last fence because Cyrus took a dislike to the jump with small square haybales under it. His stable is next to the haybales but in his head they obviously don't belong in an arena, silly boy!
Really enjoyed the experience though, he was lovely and forward and had good scope over the jumps, I felt relaxed and confident. He didn't even look at the water tray oxer kind of jump with plastic ducks in it.
In the warm up he did really well, did try a spook at some kind of metal arm attachment to one of the fencing posts but made him go past it riding strongly and then he was good as gold in warm up.
For some reason there was this big plastic shiny cow just before the start line and it caused a lot of problems for horses and ponies. One poor girl's horse just would not go past it and only finally did after coaxing and 3 or 4 minutes. Cyrus did take a little look but luckily he is not generally afraid of random things so just rode him on strongly to first jump.
Had refusal at fence 6 too which was my fault with a dodgy line.
There was a lot of positives and I learned a lot and after my round went straight up to warm up had a quick canter and then popped him over a cross pole and a vertical so he knew he can't end on a refusal and he is not allowed run out.
It was a course with some tricky parts I think as was the final of a 4 week league (but you could do just one week if you wanted but obviously would not be counted in league placings and prizes).
It was my very first competition so I am pleased with how it went as felt I rode positively and Cyrus and I both had fun.
Going to do another sj competion soon in 60s and 70s and can't wait, have totally got the competition bug now
Here are some pics of us (I bought these digital images from the photographer).
And this is one from the warm up my friend took before we had our round
Had a great day, really enjoyed it, despite getting eliminated at 2nd last fence because Cyrus took a dislike to the jump with small square haybales under it. His stable is next to the haybales but in his head they obviously don't belong in an arena, silly boy!
Really enjoyed the experience though, he was lovely and forward and had good scope over the jumps, I felt relaxed and confident. He didn't even look at the water tray oxer kind of jump with plastic ducks in it.
In the warm up he did really well, did try a spook at some kind of metal arm attachment to one of the fencing posts but made him go past it riding strongly and then he was good as gold in warm up.
For some reason there was this big plastic shiny cow just before the start line and it caused a lot of problems for horses and ponies. One poor girl's horse just would not go past it and only finally did after coaxing and 3 or 4 minutes. Cyrus did take a little look but luckily he is not generally afraid of random things so just rode him on strongly to first jump.
Had refusal at fence 6 too which was my fault with a dodgy line.
There was a lot of positives and I learned a lot and after my round went straight up to warm up had a quick canter and then popped him over a cross pole and a vertical so he knew he can't end on a refusal and he is not allowed run out.
It was a course with some tricky parts I think as was the final of a 4 week league (but you could do just one week if you wanted but obviously would not be counted in league placings and prizes).
It was my very first competition so I am pleased with how it went as felt I rode positively and Cyrus and I both had fun.
Going to do another sj competion soon in 60s and 70s and can't wait, have totally got the competition bug now
Here are some pics of us (I bought these digital images from the photographer).
And this is one from the warm up my friend took before we had our round
I've tried desensitising her, taken her over jumps in-hand with bales underneath, and she'll be fine with that particular jump, but when we get to the next one which we haven't done in-hand it's the same story!
