Horse is different at comps

[little_critter]

I‘m finding training / competing a bit tricky at the moment. T is a bit lacking in energy at home, I’m trying to work on it and get him in front of the leg but it’s hard work.
But when we go out to a competition he wakes up and regains his sparkle. Which is lovely but comes with the issue that he can also be looky and distracted.
It makes practicing dressage tests difficult because the problems I have at home are different to the problems I have at a comp.
I can’t be the only person this happens to, how do you cope with this?

 

[Wheels]

It happens to most of us at some point although for me at has gone the other way where home and lessons are great and forward but my horse shut down at shows and wasnt off my leg.

Practise, arena hires, shows just for the sake of going. For my horse we spent two shows with the absolute priority being forwards even if that meant we lacked in other areas. In your case I would say that's what you need to do at home and then when you get to a show you could prioritise relaxation above all else.

I expect though that the spookiness, buzziness etc is part of the same problem as the not forwards at home in that your horse does not fully understand, and /or chooses to ignore your legs. Have you got into the habit of nagging?

 

[scats]

Yep! This has been a huge stumbling block for Millie and it’s so frustrating.
I just get her out as much as possible- competitions, Farm rides etc.

 

[oldie48]

Rose is behind the leg and sometimes nappy at home, altogether much easier away from home. As others have suggested I think you just have to go elsewhere. So annoying!!

 

[SpotsandBays]

Mine! At home he’s pretty chilled out unless we’re doing faster work, at an event or competition he’s on springs. I DREAD the warmup ring as he just gets silly with other horses around. Luckily for me he looks very pretty and moves well when he’s on one ?

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Yep, forward and fun at home, sluggish and behind the leg out. In our case it's greenness so trying to get out as much as possible with the emphasis being on having fun and being relaxed.

 

[J_sarahd]

This is my pony to a t. Can be very sluggish at home, but out, he’s tense and looky BUT in front of my leg. (I’ve also noticed he’s nappy in the flat warm up but not in the jumping warm up!!)