Does anyone else get really nervous about competing?

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nomini

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I am competing at the weekend and I feel sick about it already, I don't know why I get so nervous, cos I know that Alisha and I can do it easily. Just get really panicky before SJ. I know Alisha picks up on it and then doesn't jump as well as she can. What can I do to help ease my nerves? Have tried rescue remedy but doesn't really have an effect anymore! Any advice welcome...
 
can't help I'm afraid as I am ok once entered at a show, its at home that I get nervous
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I am sitting here with butterflies in my stomach already lol! When I am in the ring I am usually fine, it's at home and on the journey there and the warm up that I am worst!
 
Isnt that just excitement though??

Because you wouldnt want to do it if you was real nervous.

I used to get nervous and had some rescue remedy or calms, but I think it was a lot to do with having crappy horses!!

Now I have 2 good horses who try I get more excited then nervous, of course just before you go in teh ring or something you are nervous but thats just cos you want to do well
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Ah, I know people on here speak highly of rescue remedy, have you tried that?
Me for example will only jump about 2' at home but last year managed to jump a whole course at 2'6" at a show - I think I got round on adrenaline alone
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don't know why I have more confidence at a show very strange
 
That's probably it! I know I have a fantastic horse, she tries it on a little but nothing major! I do want to do well with her so it's probably more nerves from that.
I used to take Jigsaw out with us too and he used to help as I would jump him round and then jump Alisha round, but he has become really bad loading and travelling so it's just too much effort to take him as well.
I am going up the yard in a mo to do some jumping practice so hopefully that will help to calm my nerves!!
 
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Ah, I know people on here speak highly of rescue remedy, have you tried that?
Me for example will only jump about 2' at home but last year managed to jump a whole course at 2'6" at a show - I think I got round on adrenaline alone
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don't know why I have more confidence at a show very strange

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Yup, have tried rescue remedy but doesn't seem to have much of an effect! Once I get in the ring I have much more confidence than if I am jumping at home! At home I will only jump small unless i have a lesson when my instructor puts up massive fences!
 
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i dont really get nervous. i like competing!!
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Thing is, i love it when I am actually doing it, it's just before i go in that i am a bag of nerves!
 
glad its not just me then that doesn't like jumping big at home then. so much for confidently jumping bigger at home than what you compete at eh
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Depends what your doing though.

I have never ever got nervous about doing a dressage test, even at qualifiers finals etc.

Just jumping, mainly showjumping.

Kalms are tablets, you can get them and rescue remedy from supermarkets or chemists
 
I get really nervous, well used to anyway, havent competed for about 5 years so i expect there will be a few nerves when I first give it a go again
 
I get nervous if i have spent a long while preparing for the competition or if im in a team, the rest of the time its more excitement and adrenaline.
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good luck for Saturday
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I used to feel physically ill when I competed and didn't really relax at all. It's only since my confidence has improved and I learned to relax and enjoy myself whatever the outcome that it improved. Just keep reminding yourself it's all for fun and that even if things go wrong it's not the end of the day. If Louis plays up these days or things go pear-shaped I just laugh it off and soldier on regardless
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Now I love competing and can't get enough of it
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Try not to focuss on what can go wrong and instead think about what could go right
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Take someone with you to the competition who can help you. They can assist you getting your horse ready. Give yourself plenty of time so you don't have to rush, rushing always gets the nerves going. The person with you will help in keeping you calm. Take everything steady so you and your horse are as relaxed as you ever can be. If this all fails try a couple of joints of canabis & half a bottle of vodka. You'll be fine...Good Luck
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I get a bit nervous first thing and if the horse misbehaves I am nervous. Once in my test or jumping my round I am fine. I am very over analytic after a test or a round and can pull myself to shreds.
 
rub lavender oil into your pulse points just like you would with perfume.It has a calming effect on the horse and stops them sensing your nerves.I know it sounds strange but it does seem to work.
 
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I am sitting here with butterflies in my stomach already lol! When I am in the ring I am usually fine, it's at home and on the journey there and the warm up that I am worst!

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i am exactly the same. home and warm up i feel physically sick. once we get in the ring i am fine
 
I'm quite new to this competing lark and get very very nervous about a week before - well if i'm honest if I know i'm going somewhere about 2 months before I start feeling sick! At my last attempt I actually entered a novice SJ class but got there too early - this didn't turn out to be such a bad thing as it was only the secind time for the horse so we soon got used to the surroundings. I practically drank the rescue remedy and also gave it to the horse (not sure if thats legal or even if it had an affect but we both were feeling dopey after that). I didn't jump in the ned because they had a luncg break before it started and I had been there 3 hours already - took one look at the jumps going up and thought I would go and do the clear round instaed and go home! Should be Ok next time though.
 
Yes - I get really nervous, have been known to drink almost whole bottle of Rescue Remedy beforehand LOL! Bottle of wine would be cheaper!
Think I worry about the spectators / judges thinking how bad I'm riding. We all know how bitchy spectators can be!! OH can concentrate much better and doesn't get so nervous, lucky him.

Luckily my new horse is a nice laid back chap & so far hasn't been at all phased by competitions (unlike my other lad with whom I spent years getting eliminated by the 3rd jump or leaving the dressage arena at speed in canter
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), so I'm determined to bite the bullet, take him out a lot and hopefully after a while the nerves will subside.
Blooming well hope so as its's my ambition to event him!
 
Nerves????!! Yep! But Rescue remedy, bottle of wine, packet of fags... no prob!! Ha!! All the night before of course.... dont wont to get done for being "drugged"!!! I think nerves kick in because you want to do your best... BUT enjoy because before you know it it is all over and you wish you had not made a stupid mistake because of the blooming nerves at the beginning....
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!! Go over your test again and again in your head, see everything, have a good test.
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. imagine you are a top dressage rider.
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... mental preparation helps me.
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