I fell off, AGAIN! XC schooling **video**

Some fab advice thank you. There is a lovely course near us with some piddly little fences and some bigger ones as well but it also has a huge range of ditches so we aim to take him there sometime soon with my RI who knows me and Andy better. :)
The RI was the one flapping at him, tbh she isn't my regular RI was just taking that PC rally. My normal RI wouldn't do that to Andy.

We have gallops about half an hour away by car which we can hire out so could take a RI on a horse to give pointers as we go along. Sounds like a fab idea will give it a go.

Never tried him in a waterford, I didn't think he'd like it as he's very sensitive but is worth a shot. We tried him in a rubber snaffle a while ago which he went well in but he wasn't any difference in sweet iron/ copper/ NS metals.

Might try him in a happy mouth fulmer and see how he goes. Luckily we have loads of bits so have plenty to try on him. :)
 
Kokopelli said:
Problem is I'm a perfectionist which doesn't really work with horses as perfection never happens but when the slightest thing is off I feel awful. I'm like it in all walks of life as well.
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if he were to jump every obstacle perfectly perfect.........it would be pretty boring wouldn't it??:p
there would be nothing to work on and nothing to celebrate when he did get it right!
Dont think of the mistakes as something to be down about, think of them as a challenge!:cool:
Look how far you have come with him since you first had him and think how much further you can go! One day he will get those skinnies right and he will just pop that ditch AND.....it wont be down to someone elses teaching.....it'll all be down to your hard work! BIG pat on the back time then!! :D
 
cuppatea said:
if he were to jump every obstacle perfectly perfect.........it would be pretty boring wouldn't it??:p
there would be nothing to work on and nothing to celebrate when he did get it right!
Dont think of the mistakes as something to be down about, think of them as a challenge!:cool:
Look how far you have come with him since you first had him and think how much further you can go! One day he will get those skinnies right and he will just pop that ditch AND.....it wont be down to someone elses teaching.....it'll all be down to your hard work! BIG pat on the back time then!! :D
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I suppose your right there, Andy is far from boring. :)

Thank you, a very good post which has given me a much needed kick up the bum.
 
Kokopelli, I have NO idea how I managed to fall off!! :o Her owner was in absolute fits of laughter at me and even Kelly just looked at me as though to say...oh God, what ARE you doing?? I even had to get my Dad to come and pick me up as I had no car and the bus driver wouldn't let me on the bus.... :( I was 100% covered in mud!! The ONE place there was a big muddy puddle!

I hope you are feeling a little better of late, enjoy him!! :) You've done so so well and I must admit, I love watching your videos - I doubt my girl will ever jump again and I will miss it!!
K x
 
You are definetely a better rider than me! I went xc schooling on my mare the other day, and stupidly went without a body protector, went there expecting her to be the amazing jumper she was last time and came off twice.
Over much smaller jumps than that! I think you look very brave and confident over those jumps well done! :D
 
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and breathe :)
Your riding really isn't as bad as you think, if anything at the ditch I think he took the pee a bit. From what you can see in the vid he doesn't look scared of them. Just keep it small and you will get there. Also when you use you reins he throws his head right up, he may not like the poll pressure of the pelham

I'm sure you have a great future, just take it all slowly :)
 
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Kokopelli said:
Never tried him in a waterford, I didn't think he'd like it as he's very sensitive but is worth a shot. We tried him in a rubber snaffle a while ago which he went well in but he wasn't any difference in sweet iron/ copper/ NS metals.
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fwiw my boy has a VERY sensitive mouth but loves his waterford!
 
I know nothing about x-country, nor do I have the balls to try it but just wanted to say, you looked fab! Andy looks really well. Don't be too hard on yourself, it wasn't too long ago you posted about losing your confidence right?

I think you are a fantastic rider! Well done on your achievements so far with Andy ( in and out of saddle) :D
 
Oh dear, can't believe you weren't allowed on the bus! :p

I just had a look at the website and the majority if the fences I was jumping were 1m-1.05m :eek: if I knew they were that big wouldn't have even of attempted them!

I did notice the ones we did the best were in the 90cm course so I think that if we drop to around this size maybe smaller we'll both get our confidence back. :)

Caitlin hope you didn't hurt yourself!

Will give the waterford a try, we do have one somewhere so is definitley worth a go. :)

Thanks smartiebean, it means a lot. :) I'm really proud of him weight wise and how far he's come I just keep forgetting how bad he used to be. :p
 
He looks a handful and i know what you mean y the quick dirty stops my geldings has a peach on him :mad: but well ridden over some of those, no crit from me tho. Hope you feel better and are not too sore :)
 
Koko, not read all the posts so sorry if I'm repeating what someone else has said!

First thing, he looks great!! He's clearly not an easy ride but he's forward and willing which means that you can't be going that far wrong!! The ones where you're both together and you hit the fences on the right stride look fab!

I would say your problem is on the last stride, where he's either ducking out sideways or chipping in an extra stride which makes it an awkward jump. I used to get exactly the same problem with my horse - he'd come in bold as brass and sometimes we'd be fine, other times we'd get a run out. What I found helped was first of all going into the school and getting him absolutely between leg and hand, and more importantly, absolutely straight. My horse sits on my left hand, and if I let him do it xc I lose his right shoulder, so I always carry my whip in my right hand and if I know I'm coming up to a fence on a left bend, or something a bit spooky/narrow, I ask for a bend to the right as well so that I have both shoulders and not just the left (if that makes sense)

It did mean slowing my jumping right down for a while and jumping a lot of xc fences out of a sj canter - when my horse was slow, on his hocks, straight and off my leg, then we sped up again and luckily he's now getting to the stage where he keeps himself pretty straight and I can leave him to it. The straightness still isn't perfect, and I still have to work for it, but it's saved me a heck of a lot of marks on the dressage and it's amazing how much the xc improved once I got that right shoulder back!! You wouldn't think the dressage and xc were so linked but I think they'll improve together, just gotta grit your teeth and head for the school :o
 
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