Jumping at home vs. Away from home

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Ellevis

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I've come to realise recently that when I take my horse off the yard to jump at shows or for lessons & hiring arenas, we can quite happily pop round 1m courses and warm up fences, but when I attempt to jump the same sized fences at home (once a week at the MOST) we always have problems with occasional stops, and me not being able to see a stride half the time!
Does anyone else have this bizarre problem? It's gotten to the point where I'm as nervous to jump a single oxer at home as I am to jump a full course at a show. Not sure if horse is just taking the mick or if it's all in my head!
 
I think most people experience the opposite... I'd very much suspect it's in your head! However, a different environment may well influence the horse as much as it might you. Perhaps your horse is a bit more positive and forward-going in a competition atmosphere... Or (and I think this is more likely) you are more positive and forward in a competition atmosphere!
 
I'm exactly the same!! Pony and I will bulldoze fences at home, but take him out and we're jumping much bigger and much better (and usually get placed).

RI jokes that I get my 'game face' on, and that's why, but seriously I think it's down to a few things:

- I definitely ride more positively when out/being watched/when there's a frilly at stake (ha), and my horse does 100000 times better when he's being ridden positively

- We guaranteed have a better canter when out: probably down to horse being more excited, and me riding more positively

- I'm more 'on the ball' - horse doesn't get away with anything when we're out, but I probably don't have as much control at home (i.e. won't really ask him to walk near the scary end of the school etc... but when out, his manners have to be on top form)

I reckon, if you're like me, it is all in your head - but your horse picks up on that, so it's sort of in your riding/tenseness (or something), if that makes sense
 
Yes absolutely. I'm only jumping one horse atm and rarely jump anything up to height at home as I worry I'll cook it up. At an event I'm quite happy with the height. Aiming to move up a class sj over the winter so will probably have to do a bit more at home. I'm usually on my own though which I think does affect me as rude a bit more backwards/protectively to avoid having a pole.
 
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