First BSJA at Duckhurst

[Jade2007]

I decided to go to Duckhurst Farm Junior Aff yesterday to have a go at my first BSJA.

After taking him in the 90cm open on a ticket and getting a double clear a few weeks ago, I decided to enter the 1m open.
He warmed up fine, no refusals or knock downs. Took him in the areana and went up into canter. I should have done a circle , but I took him in to the first jump, immediatley realised I had made a mistake and got in very deep, lost my stirrup and knocked down the front pole

There wasn't enough time to get my stirrup back before 2 so just carried on and did 3 (a double). I decided I really should come back to trot and get my stirrup back, which I did. Took off early for number 4 and paddled over number 5, it was a miracle that he didn't fall over! Managed to get him over 6 but with both our confidences knocked refused at 7 and then 8 so we were eliminated

I was quite confused why he seemed so nervous as we have done 90cm and 95cm fine and we were jumping 1.10m oxers at home the night before no problem

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Any suggestions what could have happened here and tips just incase the same things happen next time?

I'm off to Longwood on the 26th but think I'll do the 90cm to be on the safe side

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Thanks for reading x

 

[Sarah_Jane]

It sounds a little like a case of running before you can walk. I would be doing 4 or 5 classes at a level confidently and easily before tackling the next level. It is a different ball game jumping a big fence at home than jumping a course particularly indoors when the fences come so quickly and a mistake at one has knock on effects to the rest of the course.

Do a bit of schooling at home then build your confidnece at smaller courses. Now you have had a problem I would spend even longer at 90 before you try 1m again

 

[SpruceRI]

He was probably confused by you frantically trying to fish your stirrup back. You might've been saying 'go' with your legs, but your body and mind would've been saying 'oh help'.

Agree with what Sarah-Jane said above. Go back to doing the 90 - 95cm stuff for a good few shows until you're both totally confident with each other, and only then move up.

 

[Jade2007]

I suppose because he used to do up to 1.20m I was trying to progress too quickly, forgetting that acutally what he had done before basically means nothing considering he spent 6 years of doing nothing bigger than 2ft. He's the sort of pony that is very sensitive, I spent 8 months getting used to him!

Thanks I will be definatley spending a couple months perfecting the 90cm before having a go at 1m.