First time XC schooling - advice please! Terrified!!!

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HorsesHavingFun

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Hi all,

So in a few weeks my horse and I are going XC schooling, for me it's the first time ever! The horse should be fine I hope, he loves jumping and he's done XC before.

However there is the problem of me! I really want to do it, but I'm SO nervous! Firstly I'm worried horse will get strong and fast, probably unlikely but I'm still worried about it :o I'm also really worried I'll panic (I do have anxiety which will not help!) and make things go wrong by not giving the horse any confidence :( And thirdly I'm really nervous that I'll get the wrong stride into jumps, meaning I'll either get thrown forward and out the saddle if horse takes a stride out or if the horse gets too close I'm worried we won't make it over the jump ok..XC aren't as forgiving which scares me.

I would not do it but I know that I'm capable of it as is the horse and I know I could have an amazing time!

Sorry for the ramble, if anyone has any advice on how to combat these nerves I'd be so grateful, all I want is to have a good time :)

Thanks in advance!

PS - I have a bottle of rescue remedy which I will take - I wonder if I could down the whole bottle... ;)
 
I would suggest finding a good instructor to go with you, it will really help with nerves to have experienced advice, your technique and how to ride xc will benefit, having a confidence giving first time will ensure you both enjoy the experience ready to do more in the future.
If you have already arranged for help explain your concerns during the warm up so that everything is geared to build your knowledge and confidence as you progress round, if you have done plenty of preparation over coloured fences it should be great fun for you and your horse.
 
I'm sure you'll be fine, are you going on your own or with a more experienced combination?
Firstly xc schooling is not usually nearly as exciting for horses as actual competing you can jump a fence then come back to trot or halt and regain control or circle as necessary rather than keeping going getting faster and faster. Take your time to warm up properly work horse quite hard to take the edge off before attempting jumping if you feel he is being very strong or silly. Obviously not to the point that he is too tired to jump safely.
As far as you being worried goes I personally find that once I am on and warming up I feel much better. I would recommend starting with some really small fences that are well within your comfort zone, once you get jumping the adrenaline will start flowing (you and the horse) and you'll be flying the bigger ones before you know it.
I have watched lots of BE novice level eventing where the fences are huge (to me anyway!) and I have seen plenty of horses get horrendous strides at these fences and still get to the other side safely. At the height you are likely to be jumping on your first time I would just concentrate on approaching the fences in a rhythm at the appropriate speed for the type of fence and not get too hung up on strides. Chances are that it will then be right anyway and if not the horse should easily be able to sort himself out over a small fence. Make sure you are confidently jumping small fences and are happy with the strides before attempting anything bigger. Don't feel pressured into doing anything that you are not sure about keep it fun and positive and I'm sure you'll have a brilliant time XC is definitely addictive.
Don't forget to let us know how you get on:)
 
Good advice from be positive :)

If you can't take an instructor with you then start off small and build up, most schooling courses have the same fence in several sizes so you can get your confidence up over the smallest ones first. Take things like steps at a steady sitting trot

School over one fence at a time and then jump a few together to help create a rhythm

You'll be fine, go and have fun.
 
Thank you all for your replies - all extremely helpful and brilliant advice, I'm really grateful :)

I forgot to mention I am taking a fab instructor with me, but we aren't going with another horse. The instructor has taught me for ages, so on that front we should be fine - they know their stuff :)

We aren't planning on jumping anything big, little jumps suit both of us fine! I'm only worried about the striding towards jumps as I've had a fall where striding was the cause of it. But you guys are right, I'll try not to focus on the striding too much and just take it as it comes! ;)

Thanks again!
 
Hello! Sorry to bump this now very old thread up, I just wanted to say a big thank you for the advice given!

Had a wonderful time and jumped things I never thought I could! We attempted our first skinny style jumps, which we had quite a few run outs to as I can't steer! ;) I did have a fall at a run out to a fence at the very end of the session so laughed, got back on and jumped a easier fence to finish on a good note :) the best part was that it didn't phase me and it didn't hurt at all!

The horse was amazing considering he hasn't actually done any XC in a very long time! We had a few stops at some bigger fences but managed to jump them and they were scary jumps!

Advice was spot on, once the adrenaline was flowing we were okay! And also the striding, everyone was right, as soon as we got a decent canter we got nearly all perfect strides and when we didn't the horse sorted me out! :D

So huge thank you to everyone, it was a wonderful experience I will treasure :D hope I haven't just bored you all to tears... ;)
 
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