Jumping home and away

[WFL]

My horse Charlie is obedient, rhythmic and has a beautiful bouncy canter stride when we jump at home (knock downs and XC fences) in schooling or competition. However, when we compete away (not school) he gets faster and flatter with each fence until we are going wall of death, he runs out and it all goes generally pear-shaped.

Anyone else have this problem? How did you get over it? Is it just perseverance?

 

[tizer]

Do you get nervous at shows? Could it be that you loose your concentration? and have you tried any calming supplements for use at shows ie. rescue remedy?

 

[MagicMelon]

I think the only way is not to let him run off with you faster throughout the round. If I were you, Id hire out your local venue with built SJ course, then school round it. If he starts getting fast get him back under control (come to a halt if need be) in between fences. Don't let him go to the next fence too fast. Sounds like nerves may have played a part, but either way I think the key is simply not to allow him to get like this!

 

[lizzieb]

I've been having a similar problem with my horse who is fantastic at lessons but goes pear shaped in competitions. I realised that when we went in the ring, he tensed up so I grabbed hold of his mouth which made him tense and run faster and faster. Now I have to make a conscious effort to be very light in my hands and relaxed across my shoulders and to give an retake the reins. It's really hard to change and is taking a lot of effort but it worked at our comp last night

I also brought him back to trot on every corner to get him listening to me again and slow the pace down which really helped. I would have gone down to walk too if I felt he needed it. I think the key is to not be afraid to drop back to trot or walk if you feel you need to. I know I feel I should be cantering the whole way but it was doing more harm than good.

Good luck and I hope it gets better for you soon.

 

[WFL]

We had a jumping lesson today and my instructor thinks that she identified the root cause. He is really coiling himself up at the moment when he knows that he is jumping as a way of evading the contact. He feels light in my hands, but I have to keep shortening the rein to find him again. If I push him on (leg), we get too fast. So effectively, the only controls I have are my legs, seat and stick - the reins are little more than something to stop my hands fidgetting!

On a big outdoor or XC course there is enough space to sort him out between fences, but on a small indoor course there is not. Hence, why we get over the 1st few jumps, and it goes pear-shaped towards the end of the round.

I am thinking of writing a new book in the 101 series: "101 Evasions", as my horse comes up with new ones each week which my instructor has never seen before!