How do you ride your first fence?

[Skhosu]

For showjumping or for xc?
Showjumping I tend to have control, so it generally goes well although I keep him moving forwards to the first fence, then he gets faster and faster as we go round the course!
XC I tend to let him go(I swear he can understand the starter counting down!) with a tiny touch and gallop the first, but I understand others jump it from a SJ canter?
And what do you slow up for, SJ or xc?
Just curious!

 

[Super_Kat]

For showjumping I try and keep the approach to the frst fance te same all the way aorund....collected and bouncy

 

[buzzles]

It's a very fine line with my guy, I try to keep him as relaxed and calm as possible as he can get quite fast and rushes if he gets worried or over excited but I've sometimes had him too relaxed into the first fence and he's refused!! I have to keep him relaxed and calm but not let him switch off, I was just discussing this with my instructor last week and she was saying that he's a very complex horse to ride!! He does tend to get quicker as he goes around a course of showjumps but for xc he starts off fast and then settles himself after the first few fences. With the young horses I just try get them focused and in a good rhythm and then try and maintain it throughout the round.

 

[Bossanova]

The first fence is all about settling into a rythym. It wakes the horse up and gets your eye in for the rest of the course. Xc you shouldnt ride it much slower than you will the rest and sj you should remain the same around the whole course

 

[dieseldog]

Badly! If I'm going to mess anything up it will be the first fence

 

[MagicMelon]

I jump the first fence SJ as I plan to round the whole course. I dont jump it any differently. My horses are better going on a more forward stride, but I make sure to get in a good rythm straight away so the whole course is pretty much the same.

I get going straight away for XC. So to the first fence I jump it at the pace I want all the way round. Couldnt possibly SJ canter to it since that's wasting valuable seconds!!

Slowing up wise. I guess I get more collected (not slow as I keep it bouncy and forward still) for things like tall verticals or planks SJ. Obviously I come in slowly to a combination if the striding is short or whatever. For XC I slow down for drops and technical fences (where Id need to turn quickly etc.). I also again, slow down slightly for big upright fences.

And what do you slow up for, SJ or xc?

 

[doodie]

Not like mine on Saturday! How Bad's this a refusal at like a 1ft 6 cross pole!

But i dnt fall off

never mind it can't be worse next weekend!