Howmuch is too much?

[piaffe]

Competing wise?

as some may know i took V out last sunday. I'd like to enter him for some more but am worried about over doing it. As i mentioned, he appeared very calm and even seemed to enjoy it and i did just the one class and then we went into the trailer and quietly ate his hay.

its 3 miles away. erm, he's 5 and he has been broken in since middle of june.

What would you suggest?

Must point out that Im not interested in "competing" as such. I mean, im not out to do well,(i intend to carry on going HC) just to get him out and give him experience. let him see things/ get used to situations etc.
Any ideas?

 

[Ferdinase514]

Go for it!

 

[KatB]

Well your certainly not pressurising him, and its not like your travelling miles each time, so i'd go for it! Just listen to what your horse tells you!!

 

[MagicMelon]

I backed my 4yo last month and he'll be taken out to compete pretty much every 2nd weekend. Obviously only tiny stuff to gain experience but as long as you keep it small and not too challenging then you shouldn't over do it.

 

[peapod]

I definitely think you should go for it - a word of warning though (although I'm sure you won't be as stupid as me!) I've taken my 5 year old for inhand showing since he was a yearling - this year he's completely refused to do ANY of it - I can only think he was bored/totally disillusioned with it - he only went out a handful of times each year, but he's just completely fed up of it

So, this year, I've been trying to mix it up a bit, we've been doing ridden classes more, which he still enjoys, and some jumping as well (when I'm feeling brave!) I don't know whether it's a youngster thing (he is the first youngster I've had), but it seems like it takes very little for him to become stale - he has refused to work nicely in the school for the last three weeks - but is quite happy hacking etc! He is a cause for despair! Anyway, sorry to digress from your original thread, I think V will be absolutely fine doing bits and pieces out and about!

 

[piaffe]

Thanks everyone for your comments!

I guess I had better get my cheque book out then!