Eventing hopeful - very long way to go!

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DreamTime22

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Thought I'd do a bit of an update as I've had my mare Ruby just over a month now.
Hacks are pretty enjoyable now and we can do all 3 paces fairly peaceably (canter is a little exciting but that isn't unusual). I cannot fault her in traffic as typically had a quite road where only 1 car has been down since I arrived at the yard, but as soon as I set foot on it, the world and his wife (with their caravan and skip lorry) decide they need to go down the road.
Schooling is improving. We could only walk at the start so getting into the 3 paces is an achievement, even if canter is ropey. I'm starting to trust now that the head in the air is just that and we aren't actually doing anything in particular. It still has a very, very long way to go. Tried to ride through an intro test but it didn't go smoothly. I just keep seeing it as a starting point.
With jumping we have only tried a couple of cross poles and a teeny tiny straight. She is very enthusiastic about it! I would rather her be like that than the other way though.
My list of things I need to improve is growing every day, including position, diagonals, being less handsy, more forward but not faster, balance, contact, strength and fitness (horse and rider) etc. so I am aware of the issues.
I've set a mini goal to go out with her in August (mid-end), just somewhere, to do something for the experience.
Pics and vids won't upload at the moment. Might try later!
 
Hold onto the martingale or a balance strap with normal length reins (i.e. consistent feel, no loops but not too short) to be less handsy and improve contact. It feels horrendous at first but it works, and stops pulling on their mouth inadvertently. Hands should not be further back than the strap, ever, or high.
Work on your position (while holding on to martingale or resting hands on neck) by going from normal seat to 2 point seat and back - helps lower leg position. You can do that in walk / trot / canter.
Diagonals just have to become a natural. Glance down every time you pop into trot until you don't have to think about it any more.
Use poles on the ground to keep the interest and reduce the general excitement.
 
sportsmansB said:
Hold onto the martingale or a balance strap with normal length reins (i.e. consistent feel, no loops but not too short) to be less handsy and improve contact. It feels horrendous at first but it works, and stops pulling on their mouth inadvertently. Hands should not be further back than the strap, ever, or high.
Work on your position (while holding on to martingale or resting hands on neck) by going from normal seat to 2 point seat and back - helps lower leg position. You can do that in walk / trot / canter.
Diagonals just have to become a natural. Glance down every time you pop into trot until you don't have to think about it any more.
Use poles on the ground to keep the interest and reduce the general excitement.
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Thank you. I will try the martingale tip out, as I was considering buying a D ring strap. Didn't even think of using the martingale.
I have been trying different things for position but if I do anything weird it does freak her out a bit. I would love to try no stirrups but I don't feel confident that she would be ok with it right now. I used to love it and do it all the time. I keep seeing photos of me in the most awful chair position. I don't know where I have suddenly developed it from.
I'm practising my diagonals out on hacks but I seem to favour the right and the left feels weird (on every horse I've rode, I've got one sided) so I'm making myself do the left one.
 
She looks lovely! What a gorgeous rich colour, and so shiny :-)
If you practice in walk even, going from normal position to jumping position and back again, and do lots of general shifting about to get her used to it, it will really help. its easier with something to hold onto :-)
Its a much under-estimated part of the training process to get the horse used to you moving around on them, and helps if something does happen and you end up unbalanced (pheasants etc!) if they don't completely panic.
 
Hi DreamTime22 I am in a similar position to you. I'd love to Event one day but I have a long way to go!
I have nothing particularly helpful to add but I wanted to tell you that you and your mare look great :) keep positive and keep going and you will get there xxx
 
FinnBobs said:
Hi DreamTime22 I am in a similar position to you. I'd love to Event one day but I have a long way to go!
I have nothing particularly helpful to add but I wanted to tell you that you and your mare look great :) keep positive and keep going and you will get there xxx
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Thank you :). I'm sure we will both get there.

After having a break from riding it feels like I've got to learn nearly everything again! I also used to spend too much time relaxed hacking so have got some terrible habits.
 
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