First time Cross Country

[Jenna1406]

Hi,

So myself and two friends decided to hire Burgies cross country course on Saturday for a little play. I have never done cross country in my life (maybe an odd log on a hack) but never gone to an actual course to jump and neither has Breagha as she is only 4 years old. So, off we went and met my friends there and tacked up and started heading towards the course. I thought it wasnt going to go well as she wasn't keen on walking over the speed bump lol.

So we started warming up in the field and by this time my nerves were kicking in as I started thinking WHAT HAVE I DONE, WHOSE IDEA WAS THIS - It was mine. EEK! So, I let her walk over the first jump, so she got the idea and then I decided to take her to it in trot - I shouldn't have worried, bless her she just popped over it. Bearing in mind, these jumps were the mini novice size. So we just pottered about having a little fun and the only thing I had a wee issue with was a little step down, she wasn't that keen to do but we got there after about 10 mins and a lead from another horse and after she did it once she didn't hesitate after that.

Then after that, I put my brave pants on and decided to canter towards one of the jumps and she popped over it beautifully.

Not a big report but I was chuffed to bits with her and how she takes everything in her stride, and even more chuffed as I backed her myself.

Thanks for reading

 

[DiNozzo]

I took mine to his first xc schooling day yesterday too! He has hunted before but not done any 'formal' xc training.

Never had issues with breaks before yesterday, but dear lord, my shoulders hurt today! Will be investing in a stronger bit next time we go!

However, he did jump everything I put in front of him beautifully, even the large table that I was trying to run him into to stop... not doing that again either!

And he went in the water! Normally he won't even do puddles let alone a water complex!

 

[Jenna1406]

Well done!

It was good fun. Breagha has only jumped a few times since I took her to an adult camp at the start of September, so thought I was getting ahead of myself taking her to do cross country.

 

[LouisCat]

You both look very confident and as a first time out it sounds like you had a great time

 

[Jamesy123]

Fantastic! Well Done you. I took my 5yo which I backed myself a few weekends ago and she was fab. It's amazing how easily they take to it

 

[Mince Pie]

However, he did jump everything I put in front of him beautifully, even the large table that I was trying to run him into to stop... not doing that again either!

Been there, done that, same reaction

Well done OP! Hope you have more XC fun soon

 

[HighFive]

She looks lovely! XC is super fun when you keep the pressure off them as young horses. They certainly enjoy cantering over the grass popping natural jumps!

 

[Jenna1406]

You both look very confident and as a first time out it sounds like you had a great time

Thanks - I had a few moments off, I can't do this or the jumps too big for her (tiny jumps) but my other half who came along to be the person on the ground, his words were "yes you can, get over it" so naturally, I did it lol.

Fantastic! Well Done you. I took my 5yo which I backed myself a few weekends ago and she was fab. It's amazing how easily they take to it

Yes seemed to get right into it once she got the idea of what was meant to happen.

Been there, done that, same reaction

Well done OP! Hope you have more XC fun soon

Thank you - I think we are planning a wee jumping derby at the pony club for fun at the end of the month and then we are hoping to get to the mock hunt in Nov/Dec before the winter really hits as we get the snow really bad where we live

She looks lovely! XC is super fun when you keep the pressure off them as young horses. They certainly enjoy cantering over the grass popping natural jumps!

Yes - we went to have a bit of fun and I only asked small questions for her but she was so keen and her jump is lovely. Never got the same feeling practising over the show jumps.