hunter trial eeek water advice please!

[lizzieuk1]

well just walked my course for tomorrow and am v happy with all the jumps a lovely inviting well built course. the only thing is therea re 2 water crossings no jump in, the first has a slight drop off and the second a log then a gentle slope in so i would say v nice for the novices like mine, however he is not the best so far with water, last time i went into water on a schooling day it too ages to get him in, since then i've got him into a stream nearby and hes ok about that one now but am woried as this one has a waterfall bit reight next to it gushing away and it is quite deep.
could really do with advice on what others do to conquer the water, pleaaaaasssssseeee!!!

 

[lizzieuk1]

think should put this in comp section!!

 

[hannah87]

ride, think and be positive. and he if isnt going in, forget it and carry on and enjoy the rest of the course. you can practice water another day. better not to have a major arguement halfway round and upset him imo if hes a baby, u want it to be a positive experince and him to have fun!

 

[WelshRareBit]

My horse isnt too keen on water either...

I only went in a minimus class and Id say 50-70% of the horses were doing this so I wouldnt worry, just go along and have a go! Good Luck!!

 

[lizzieuk1]

yep PMA required, i'm not really bothered about placings etc and its just for experience before we BE next year, prob is the first water i could go round if necessary but the 2nd doesn't seem t have an alternative so could get a bit stuck oooooo!

 

[LEC]

Do not go faster than trot - keep riding fowards with your legs on and use your voice as well if needs be. As long as you keep him moving you will be fine. I always try to find loads of puddles to spalsh through hacking and at some at the comp if I can just to keep positive.

 

[Jemayni]

As others have said, and look up aswell, find a target it the distance (ie a tree) fix your eye on it & dont take it off!

 

[Zebedee]

Sounds as if you've taken the time to educate him as well as you can so far. All I can add is the obvious - keep him in front of the leg & in to the bridle on the approach. If you are eliminated you'll probably have to leave the course & take no further part. If that does happen try to enter the pairs, or better still hire the course afterwards for some schooling.

Best of luck - hope you enjoy it - & please let us know how you get on.

 

[lizzieuk1]

ok great advice thanks all will keep that in mind, looking up and trotting forward.
LOL welshrarebit think we may be doing something similar tomorrow, prob is the water is about 5m wide and 2ft deep so not sure jumping straight over is an option!!

 

[lizzieuk1]

well i think i can carry on if eliminated so long as i give way but hopefully that won't happen!!! he doesn;t tend to go backwards just applies his mule brakes and stands staring at the scarey depths! am hoping the adrenalin will be flowing and he'll have a look then pop in- best think positive! hiring course great idea so may try that after.