Horse Stage Fright????????

[laurahayley]

Went & did a dressage competition today, got an imporived score but still getting the same comments. Lovely horse but....... Inconsistant connact, not going forwards enough etc etc. This is now starting to annoy me

as when we are at hom ehe goes lovely.

Had a lesson & he did great again. In the warm up area & he was fine not particulary bothered. But as soon as we entered the test arena it all goes to pot.

I am quite calm, but Dylan hollws or just does not seem to want to concentrate on the job at had. He fights the contact 1/2 the time & spooks at various things.
Please any tips on keeping him calm & concentrating in the test

. Like I said he is fine out side with other horses inthe warm up area, goes well & is not particularry bothered, it's just in the test. Help!!!!!

 

[SnowPhony]

Are you sure it isn't a case of subconcious nerves from you transfering to him?

 

[laurahayley]

I am not sure, i fell fine riding the test but it could still be happening.
Any suggestions regarding keeping his concentration & may be my nerves??
He is fantastic at home but we just loose it in the test.

 

[ldlp111]

same with my horse goes well outside in warm-up but turns into wiggly worm as soon as we enter arena, i think its something i do.

 

[FestiveSpirit]

Bob (my little TB) was just like this - so I took him out week after week after week.... After about 12 outings, with steadily improving scores, we won

I just think it is a case of getting them out there as often as you can so they get over their competition nerves (and you get over yours too

)