Jumpong Lesson Nightmare.... Reassurance needed!

_April_

_April_

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I have a bit of a dilemma and would appreciate some advice (and possible a good shake!!) from all you lovely experienced HHOers!

I am booked onto a pretty posh group jumping lesson in a few weeks with a well know instructor who only visits our RC once a year... have been looking forward to it for months.

I did it last year and it was absolutely brilliant and I got so much out of it so I really want to go back.
Last year I was just starting jumping April so was in the Novice group. April's jumping has come on leaps and bounds since then (pardon the pun
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) so i have been put into the Intermediate group.

However as they are not having an advanced group, the intermediate group has me, another similar intermediate and 2 rider/horse combinations who I would say are much more advanced and do eventing etc so I am really worried about holding them back on the lesson.

Will i be ok? April is jumping 2'9 SJ courses easily and over 3 ft at home, but she is only 14.2 and I don't want to be a pain to the advanced people but I also can't wait to show the difference in her!! As she is about 22 though I really just jump for our own fun and the 2 others on the lesson are 'serious' competitors.
Had a really stressful dream about it last night
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My friends think I am being daft and I know the instructor should cater for everyone. My only option would to be go back to the Novice level but then I wouldn't really be developing either. What would you do?

No idea why i am stressing so much! Maybe I am just nervous lol.

Sorry for the ramble xx



Here is her before and after just for fun
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The Novice lesson last year. Before, all scary and nervous (and that's just me)! Mar 07

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After! Much more confident... just last week
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Stop stressing and have fun!! (hark whos talking, the one whose inards turn to jelly at the sight of a jump)

Re height, I used to jump my 13.2 chunky pony over 3 foot no problem - as I said now a jibbering wreck!!

Enjoy!
 
Is with Ian Stark Stacey. He is an amazing instructor and I credit him with whipping me into shape in under an hour last year
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Argh I know he will probably do grids again and they won't even be that high. I just don't think I can go above 3'3, (which I am very satisfied with!)

I could even have done the inter last year I think.

It's just that would you not be annoyed if you were a posh eventer type and you were put in a group with a 14.2 oldie??!!


Ack well! Will just have to see how it goes
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STOP RIGHT THERE.................................


any decent instructor worth their salt, will be able to cope, i promise you......



and don't forgot to enjoy
 
I know!
She is always a complete star in public but I can't stand it when people look down their nose at her because she has little legs and is over 20. My poor baby LOL

 

SSM - i was the same last year, a wreck jumping cross poles and April would refuse every filler but we have improved so much so I can't wait to show him the difference. (If he even remembers her!). He called her 'No Fool Like an old Fool' as she was leaping around like an eejit so he might
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[ QUOTE ]
STOP RIGHT THERE.................................


any decent instructor worth their salt, will be able to cope, i promise you......



and don't forgot to enjoy

[/ QUOTE ]


Thanks
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I am sure 100% the instructor will cope. It's the other people on the lesson i am worried about... which is really stupid because no-one is perfect!
I just have a huge inadequacy complex which kicks in at shows and big events
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I watched a video of myself riding a DR test last year and I couldn't believe how lovely it looked because in my head I feel like a big mess!
 
i mean this nicely,

BUT STOP WORRYING ABOUT other folk in lesson........................

i'm sure the're older enough to sort themselves out.............. and i do understand where your coming from.....

BUT


Keep you eye on you own performance and i better you, you'll surprise yourself.............


and we defo want to photos of lesson...
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and you jumping the moon
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I'm sure that Ian will be able to cope with a mix of abilities as this always happens in group lessons. Remember in each group even if you were all of the same standard there would be some better than others. Also just because someone is more advanced and events doesn't mean that their horse won't be a complete idiot and mess everything up.
Also quite often on these sort of lessons the idea is to get the hang of an exercise and the height of the jump is not important.
So don't worry just enjoy it - someone has put you in that group for a reason. Anyway if you move down to the Novice group you will only start worrying one of them !
 
[ QUOTE ]

and we defo want to photos of lesson...
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and you jumping the moon
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[/ QUOTE ]

That there definitely will be
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Thanks so much for the reply. I was hoping I was just being ridiculous but wanted opinions from more experienced people on the other side of the fence so to speak xx
 
hehe you are so right Steve.
I have been pondering and wondering what to do about this for weeks and I am glad I got some unbiased viewpoints from you all.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it xx
 
Your pony looks really fab!

I took my old mare Jenny who's 14.2 to an eventing clinic with Barratt Wilson when she was 27 & I was 29 cos I chickened out of taking my lunatic 4 yo, & Jen was doing the 2 ft 9 jumps.

You will be fine. Hope you have a great time!
 
Oh don't be silly! It'll be fine. The instructor will cater for eveyone and I'm sure s/he will see the difference in your pony.

Well done and good luck, can't wait to see the photos!
 
Thanks Finn, Catembi and Saskia!

It's easy to tell myself not to be stupid but feeling that way is harder LOL.
Bless HHO and it's impartial advice - you have really helped me just get over it and I am sure we will have a good lesson. Will keep you posted xx
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