Help/advice with pre comp nerves, also in CR but its a bit quiet in there!

[R2R]

I am taking my naughty (read blinking sharp) new horse to our first post rearing episodes show tomorrow.

Thankfully I am right at the end which is good as it is a busy class.

I am SO NERVOUS. To aid this I am trying to “be prepared” – I had a lesson on Saturday, schooled my test on Monday, he had yesterday off, and I have another lesson tonight at the place where the competition is!


I have also bought some rescue remedy (me) and some equine America so calm paste (him, though I may be tempted)

I have had issues before with him not relaxing – despite an hours warm up, he never really focuses when we are out. If we warm up well it usually goes to pot in the ring. Last time we did dressage he stood bolt upright with me in the middle of the arena when he noticed the judge in the car.

Basically, I am terrified!

Please help me!

.....we are only doing an unaffiliated prelim 12, I really know I should not be ‘quite’ so scared, but I am.

 

[Farma]

Can you enter hc or as training to take the pressure off? I have gone into the same class twice as hc before for training - that way it wont really matter you can just go in for the practice and it wont matter if you only do half of it.

 

[ElliePippa]

Just a little tip, when im nervous or about to do my individual show, I sing Kukaburra Sits In the Old Gum Tree It really helps-rather than focusing on tensing up and the scariness of it all, I ride much more relaxed, and Pippa goes much nicer

 

[Destiny95]

I think its important to ask yourself why you are entering the competition. I suspect it isn't to win at the moment? When I get all nervous I remind myself that I am doing this for fun - to improve my riding and to do something with my best friend (my horse!). I'm not going to get told off if I make a mistake, I'm not going to loose my job, house etc etc. When I put it into perspective like that I can't help but relax. So what if I do come last? If I at last enjoy a tiny little bit of it then its worth it and I have succeeded. This might sound rather wet to all the experienced riders out there but I work full time and riding is my hobby so if I even get one nice comment on the test sheet (even "well sat" which has happened before) then thats a tick in the box for me and something to build on.

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

Well for one I think you are being very brave to do it! So kudos to you and tick one box for prep - brave!

Tick box 2 - rescue remidy (for you and him! )

set yourself a target (something do-able!) like.............. the circle 20m in trot, have a nice balanced consistent trot..... and not to stand quite so high on your back legs this time.

If everything else goes to pot feel happy that you achieved the goal you set out to achieve. And remember as you go round, you are allowed to talk to him! So if he is doing well tell him "good boy" in a nice calm voice it will keep the connection between you two and remind him you are there (in case he is ignoring your bum! )

And I like to sing row row row your boat! Mostly cos its easy to remember the words!

Maybe don't warm up for an hour either as he will be nakered by that time and more resistent to working (a mare I used to ride that reared would be worse as she got more and more tired!) so maybe just do a 30min warm up, or even 20 mins, but do LOADS of transitions, not just practicing the test.
Do lots of little circles, walk trot, trot walk, hault trot, walk canter etc etc leg yield, serpintines etc so his brain is CONSTENTLY ticking on what you want, not on what he thinks will be interesting to spook and tit around at!

Good luck! have fun!