First fenceistitis...

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EmmaChal

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Have been very lucky and been given a lovely horse to compete this season. Only slight hitch is his absolute stubborn pigheadedness regarding 1st fence XC-very, very nappy and swerves out at last moment (always left) as refuses to go away from other horses. Once we get going, he is a dream and really enjoys himself.
Our first event will be Mattingly in May, so a while to go and have a few hunter trials/unaffiliated ode coming up before, but would be very interested to hear your tips on getting over that first fence!
 
I had a XC clinic on Saturday and she gave some very good advice about channeling the horse between your legs and hands and showing him the point you want to go to - the jump being a mere obstacle in your way.

Failing that...flap your legs like a pony clubber and keep your whip on the left!
 
keep on move, have chat to starter and let them know you have nappy horse, keep them on move trot around and if space canter and grr the bu88er of line it works for me....i sometimes have to give a hard slap behind leg as we start and hooling of line.... as thou we hunting - it work for my boy, and then half way around i lose all brakes and it this point you just sit there!!
 
Positively forward out of the start box but steady until about 3 strides out (think powerful show jumping canter rather than long). Focus on the middle of the fence, keep him tightly betwen hand and leg and then attack like it is twice the size.

Concentrate on keeping him channeled at the middle of the fence - if he is not going to go over then he should skid to a halt with his nose pressed against the middle of the jump - absolutely not out the side.

Assume you are aiming at Intro or PN if it is your first event - the first fence is usually pretty small - he should be able to pop it from a standstill if you keep him straight.
 
How do you warm up? I always get them galloping away from the practice fence or in space as much as possible get them going. It gets them thinking forwards. If he listens to your leg 3 pony club kicks and if they are still not moving they get 3 smacks behind the saddle into the fence. They have to go forwards. If they spook or go slowly over the fence they get 3 smacks behind the saddle again. He has to learn that it is not acceptable. There is no point being nice it gets you nowhere.
 
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