First time XC schooling, any tips?

welshcobmad · 26 March 2011

Heading down to our local riding club tomorrow & going to take the opportunity to try popping my boy over a few of the fences. He's 6 nearly 7 jumping really well all fillers & various combinations at home with confidence, if anything with a bit too much speed! Basically this time last year he was running out & stopping at most things I put him to, he knocked my confidence as it was so hit & miss. Anyway, with a lot of hard work, lessons etc he's now flying along & has decided its fun after all, been told not to worry about the speed too much at the moment so as not to stop his new found enthusiasm. I say speed but its not dangerous, just a forward canter (being a cob he bounces!) lol.

So after all this & a lot more trust & confidence on both our parts I think we're ready to give it a go. Any hints, tips or advice on particularly tricky fence to avoid for now? He's done the tyres, logs & a step up before but will be trying the simpler ones tomorrow to give him confidence. They have a tiger trap, table, rails, spread, the ones I don't like the look of are skinnys with tall bushes either side. Lots more but can't remember off the top of my head.

I'll have my body protector on & he'll be booted up with his grackle (cocks his jaw when excited) so raring to go! Feel like I'm 10 all over again I'm that excited lol nice to be going knowing I've got faith in him this time & he's more than capable. Most of the fences I think are probably 2ft 9 max but mostly 2ft 3 or 2ft 6 which he's more than capable of, we've done the odd 3ft & 3ft 3 at home. Will be tackling them as individual jumps rather than a course to gain confidence

Been told to try trotting him over them first so he has a good look & so its not as easy for him to run out. We have an experienced horse going with us too to give us a lead if needs be.

Thanks!

Farma · 26 March 2011

Ooh exciting! I think I would want to come away from the day feeling like you cant wait to again and try more rather than that you pushed the boundaries and any confidence getting knocked so I would just stick to the really easy stuff that looks inviting and then just the water and small drops and things like that so he finds it all fun rather than scary. Have fun and keep an eye on the ground conditions if you aren't going to have studs in.

Vodkagirly · 26 March 2011

2 bits of advice, try to relax, alot of horses only find things scary if the rider is nervous.
Second, have a good time but know when to call it a day. Nothing worse than going well then over pushing the horse and spoiling the day/confidence.

MollyMoomin · 26 March 2011

After reading the thread in Competition Riders, I'd be making sure any portable fences are properly secured.

Have a great time, its something I'd love to have a go at but am too wimpy.

welshcobmad · 26 March 2011

Thankyou all fab bits of advice! Will let you know how I get on & hopefully have some photos - employed the boyfriend as photographer lol.

Vodkagirly - Definatly so true with the nervous thing, was my biggest problem last year & think I'm 100% more confident now due to having someone point it out to me then having lessons to shake it off.

When he started his refusing etc last year, because it was so hit & miss I'd approach the fence tense & ready to brace myself incase of a stop without realising then obviously he's thinking "mum thinks its scary too, I'd better not" & it went round in a vicious circle. So chuffed its all sorted now so tomorrow will be the real test!

welshcobmad · 27 March 2011

Well the photos do the talking! (Big thanks my other half for playing photographer!) To say Im chuffed is an understatement, he flew everything I pointed him at, the one he refused initially he took a lead over & was fine after that. I was so surprised how much he's come on & the fact he had that trust in me that I wasnt putting him in danger. Stuck to the small ones & ones I was confident with, didnt push him & managed to stay calm & confident.

This time last year we went with the aim of doing a 1ft 6 showjumping course, the aim for the end of the year was for the 2ft - which we won in the end. This years aim was to try cross country which we have done already & the other bit is to take part in the 2ft3 initially then 2ft6 showjumping by the end of the season - the first show will be in April so looking forward to that!

Like a proud Mum at the moment lol I've had him since he was 7 months old, hes now 6 nearly 7! Its flown by!