Lost my show-ring confidence:-(

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express_75

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Showing season is up and running, I'm overthinking and it's not good...
Got a Novice D and an Open D, both entered for same show end of next month and I don't know which one to take
Novice D is very quirky around other horses, either wants to get too close or not want to pass them, handbrake is on when it come to individual and our show looks horrendous and I die inside and it just gets worse. I haven't shown him for almost a year as found him very babyish and didn't want to put pressure on us both so took him hacking and had fun.
Open D is a fantastic mover, got the looks and has got a lot of experience but I had a bad show last time I showed him (cantered across the diagonal in the go around and stuck in a couple of bucks when I asked for left canter... so by the time my individual came, I was holding my breath and therefore had a very sluggish show.

I just don't know what do to anymore and can feel myself becoming withdrawn and putting myself down, picturing myself in the ring and not liking what I see. (overthinking! argh)

I want to enjoy the season but I feel like a disaster. I've competed at the RW etc and done quite well but Im totally lacking confidence :(

Help...Can any of you offer some tips etc?
 
I get like this so I did what AA suggested and I got a pro to ride my new horse last year as my other horse was on box rest so I only had one to compete, although the pro is not showing this year so I am going to have a go myself, I have been having some lessons with a very good dressage rider which has really boosted my confidence and although I am not totally ready yet I feel a lot better about doing it.

On the day of a show I take rescue remedy and try to really be relaxed about the whole thing I also practice a warm up routine at home which I then do at the show so it keeps me focused and gives me something to think about. I totally know how you feel it's horrible feeling especially when you know you have done it all before, I also try to take someone with me who will tell me to pull my socks up if I have a wobble.
 
Pinkvboots said:
I get like this so I did what AA suggested and I got a pro to ride my new horse last year as my other horse was on box rest so I only had one to compete, although the pro is not showing this year so I am going to have a go myself, I have been having some lessons with a very good dressage rider which has really boosted my confidence and although I am not totally ready yet I feel a lot better about doing it.

On the day of a show I take rescue remedy and try to really be relaxed about the whole thing I also practice a warm up routine at home which I then do at the show so it keeps me focused and gives me something to think about. I totally know how you feel it's horrible feeling especially when you know you have done it all before, I also try to take someone with me who will tell me to pull my socks up if I have a wobble.
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Thank you. I'm glad I'm not the only one and I feel silly as like you said, I've done it all before and could quite confidently teach someone to do it all (showing) but I'm feeling like a numpty ..one good show I need and i'll be fine but it's doing it.
I've also got a fab dressage trainer to give me lessons too, think I need a crash / intensive week or so to really give me a boost.
I don't think I was this bad when I first started with the shows...oh dear
 
You need to feel less pressured, get someone to ride the novice for you once or twice in the ring, but i think you should ride the Open pony, just go along with no expectations to get placed or qualify for anything. Just go as a training experience and take it step by step.

My NF had a great first Open season in 2014, with placings up to 3rd in HOYS quals, with the ability to qualify once he had more experience. But 2015 season? shambles!! he didnt enjoy it and neither did i. So this year i am going to just try some novice workers with him with no expectations.
I have a novice D who's first Picton qualifier is the end of April, i have no expectations, just want to take him along, get him in the ring and enjoy it. He is quirky, but then, aren't all Welsh?! :D

Keep us updated :)
 
Crackerz said:
You need to feel less pressured, get someone to ride the novice for you once or twice in the ring, but i think you should ride the Open pony, just go along with no expectations to get placed or qualify for anything. Just go as a training experience and take it step by step.

My NF had a great first Open season in 2014, with placings up to 3rd in HOYS quals, with the ability to qualify once he had more experience. But 2015 season? shambles!! he didnt enjoy it and neither did i. So this year i am going to just try some novice workers with him with no expectations.
I have a novice D who's first Picton qualifier is the end of April, i have no expectations, just want to take him along, get him in the ring and enjoy it. He is quirky, but then, aren't all Welsh?! :D

Keep us updated :)
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Ooh thanks for your reply!
Yes, all the Welsh are a bit quirky but got to love them!:)
Maybe I should get a nice Fell as I LOVE the M&Ms

Yes, I think I'll get someone to ride the Novice to see how he goes / behaves and stick to the Open as I've done over 5 years of showing with him so got more of a feel of him and his ways.
I'll keep you posted..so nice to have some advice here. Thanks to you all
 
My welshies last time in the show ring ..( a championship show) he bronced and galloped off !! On the canter part of the go round .. All because a stallion kicked off a little.. Behind him ... I was so embarrassed!!

image_zpsh3blnntb.jpg


My face says it all .. I was in tears ..

We no longer/ very very very rarely show ( for different reasons)

And have now taken to dressage.. Much easier for his Welsh brain to cope with :p


Showing Welsh d's can be carnage !! I would stick a pro on .. Then once you are confident again .. Take over the ride again :)
 
What an attractive horse, he does look remorseful !

Another idea would be to go to a riding club/unaff type spring show and just enjoy the day, the classes will be smaller than at the County shows and you could use it as a schooling/confidence boosting day.

We used to take our prolific winning hunter to a small show first to get the tickle out of his toes, entered him H/C to avoid p$$$ing the others off and just used it as a school. Better financially too, a local show is £12 ish to enter so no loss if the horse is a bottom, spending £40 plus the Hoys levy and the horse being a bottom is more painful !
 
Can you get out to do a tack and turnout class or two, maybe some boring inhand/dressage too first? It might just help to take the edge off.
 
Well I'm with you... My lovely D put me on the deck good an proper last Friday at out first showing show of the year! Little..... Fortunately just in the warm up but of course I was then bricking it, being a workers class didn't make it any easier! Managed to keep his cool in the ring .. Until the lap of honour of course! Not something I'm looking forwards to doing again. He's never done it before at a show, I'm very confident and it takes a lot for him to get me off but he caught me off guard with a bolt upright rear to start things off and it has knocked me a bit I must admit...

I agree about getting a pro out in them, and then you also just get to watch - far less stressful!
 
Lambkins said:
My welshies last time in the show ring ..( a championship show) he bronced and galloped off !! On the canter part of the go round .. All because a stallion kicked off a little.. Behind him ... I was so embarrassed!!

image_zpsh3blnntb.jpg


My face says it all .. I was in tears ..

We no longer/ very very very rarely show ( for different reasons)

And have now taken to dressage.. Much easier for his Welsh brain to cope with :p


Showing Welsh d's can be carnage !! I would stick a pro on .. Then once you are confident again .. Take over the ride again :)
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oh bless you I have cried in the ring it's so horrible, I was riding someone else's horse and she kept striking off on the wrong leg and I had a proper melt down, I have Arabs and they can get quite eager in the canter round one of mine is worse on grass so I am sticking to shows on a surface this year, your horse is very pretty gorgeous colour :)
 
express_75 said:
Thank you. I'm glad I'm not the only one and I feel silly as like you said, I've done it all before and could quite confidently teach someone to do it all (showing) but I'm feeling like a numpty ..one good show I need and i'll be fine but it's doing it.
I've also got a fab dressage trainer to give me lessons too, think I need a crash / intensive week or so to really give me a boost.
I don't think I was this bad when I first started with the shows...oh dear
Click to expand...

I also do really low key small local shows first before doing an Arab show as they are what really scare me they are big classes full of pro's and I feel out of my league so I have to ease myself in, my first one is the end of April and I haven't done a small ease me in show yet oh dear!
 
Thanks for all your replies. Really appreciate it.
I have no nerves showing in hand or in the go around, it's the individuals really. My own bloody fault :-//

Think I'll try & find a quiet show that's out of the way & use that as a confidence booster.
It doesn't help that a couple I know, who's mare will be in the same classes as me are kind of mocking me but the mare is being professionally produced & neither of them can ride. I just wish I felt more confident. Booked a lesson for tomorrow so that's a start :-))
 
Sounds like you will be fine, but like windand rain said, a little dressage will help the individual show!


My veteran worker was a beast in his individual in his youth, he knew when to canter and especially when to gallop!
My NF never second guesses anything, so when we get a set show it doesn't upset him at all. It upsets me though as i plan my show on his strengths so when a judges asks for a halt on the first rein change or a gallop in the first canter, it put s me all out of sorts!
 
Why don't you get out dressaging. Start at very low key indoor events and work up to outdoor ones on grass. You'll get there eventually but will take time and small baby steps. Make sure you set yourself up to succeed so keep it realistic and do-able
 
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