Massive confidence boost - First Proper Hunter Trials

showpony

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No one was interested when I posted in CR appart from one lovely HHO'er - hoping some here might enjoy my report..

It may also give anyone with confidence problems Hope as never in a million years did I think I would be in the rosettes first proper time out!

OMG Think Im still on a serious high...
So yesterday we pottered off to our first proper hunter trials over a proper XC Course....
Absoloutly HUGE turnout & course had slightly changed due to rain over night so actually swung in my favour as less technical for first part - All of the jumps were on the flat or Uphil which was great...

There was 100 in class before us so lots of waiting around & time to think about what potentially could go wrong lol!

Down to start line where we had lots of passaging & trotting on the spot... the countdown seemed to last for hours lol.. 5,4,3,2,1 & we were off - into first field over big log, onto brush fence followed by tyres which was full up 80 cms & finally onto wolf tooth which he attacked as if he had been jumping xc all his life....
Back down through field & came back to trot as downhill to second field & ground was soft & turn was sharp... Was terrified coming into the scary black barrels with white strips ( he tends not to like white things ) but he flew.... picked up pace, down the hill in & out of water , drove him on jumped into forest - scary solid fence but managed to cling on lol... he took a mahoosive jump out of forest - lost a stirrup - managed to get it back before the cottages which was one of the more challenging fences as totally out in the open so he could have run out either way but squeezed like hell & roared at him & kicked on... over safely & onto another solid log fence followed by red & white barrells and chair fence..... then up over the rider frightner a small Trakehner out of field... then onto a skinny enough wolf tooth fence & a jump up hill... then was homeward bound - he was going like lightening at this stage - up the hill then down the hill to the steps took a massive jump off then up the hill to the final fence bright white pipe with bright orange traffic cones either side & we had done it!! How I don't know, never thought I had it in me to ride like that ( need heeps of work on technique but today was about confidence building )

Cannot believe we jumped everything & kept up a good pace throughout & my spooky boy well spooked at nothing he could have gone around 5 more times - I had a huge grin on my face the whole time & didn't think Id enjoy it that much...

& ........ got results this morning! managed to scrape into the rosettes in 6th place in 3mins 51 seconds - am over the moon, there was about 45 in the class...

Think have been bitten now by the bug...

Pics below ( position etc needs loads of work but I know this )

So hoping to get out in two weeks time again..

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Well done. It's a fantastic feeling isn't it...once you've finished! And well done for remembering all that, it would all blur into one for me!
 
brilliant! Good for you show pony! :) That would have me whooping with joy too… hope to have joined this club in a few more months! :)
 
Thanks for all the replys:) The Dude, decided he didnt want to be caught this afternoon - seems to think he is a rockstar after yesterday - thankfully he gave in lol.
 
Brilliant. One day I will recapture that feeling ! Although I felt sick on your behalf by the trotting on the spot passaging bit as in my head that is always followed up by a mahoosive bronk. I so need to get a grip and remember not all horses are my.old screw loose idiot. But you did amazingly you must be so so.proud.
 
I feel your painJLD my mare gives me heebie jeebies when she does it but pocket rocket is way too polite to do anything bold, don't even think he knows what a buck is lol.
Brilliant. One day I will recapture that feeling ! Although I felt sick on your behalf by the trotting on the spot passaging bit as in my head that is always followed up by a mahoosive bronk. I so need to get a grip and remember not all horses are my.old screw loose idiot. But you did amazingly you must be so so.proud.
 
Wow! Firstly your pictures are fabulous! If you read my recent thread you will see I have been having confidence issues recently and so fully support anyone 'giving it a go'! Secondly well done you! You have done so well for a first time out looks amazing fun I would love to have a go. Been thinking about it for 'one day' but seeing your report just makes you want to get on and go at 7.15pm in dusky light! Well done and great pics :)
 
Trust me i can do it anyone can! 6 mths ago the thought of jumping a cross pole made me break out in sweat! My instructor has been fab and to be honest once you kick on when you get over the first few you start to enjoy it heeps. QUOTE=chancing;12389999]Wow! Firstly your pictures are fabulous! If you read my recent thread you will see I have been having confidence issues recently and so fully support anyone 'giving it a go'! Secondly well done you! You have done so well for a first time out looks amazing fun I would love to have a go. Been thinking about it for 'one day' but seeing your report just makes you want to get on and go at 7.15pm in dusky light! Well done and great pics :)[/QUOTE]
 
Thank you! Fab to be placed as big class but was just delighted neither of us backed off anything and he really trusted me when I put my leg on to go go go lol. We both had day off today and going to take him out for a good hack and gallop in the fields tomoro to work on getting the perfect XC canter.. We were a bit too fast yesterday but he was keen and I was keen.[QaUOTE=SatansLittleHelper;12390389]Well done you, looks like you and the boy had a fantastic time :) And congrats on the placing, really well done :) xx[/QUOTE]
 
Fabulous well done. I have my first hunter trial in a few weeks on my very spooky and very sharp and also very nappy thoroughbred. I really hope we can take a leaf out of your book and have a successful day :)
 
He is naturally quite spooky at times so we can't honestly understand why he looked at nothing lol! Best of look , looking forward to your report:)
Fabulous well done. I have my first hunter trial in a few weeks on my very spooky and very sharp and also very nappy thoroughbred. I really hope we can take a leaf out of your book and have a successful day :)
 
I love your pony so much, all your gang are cool but he is beyond awesome. His face is always so keen! Massive well done on the frillies, eventing next :D

I never see your C&T posts :( I always seem to log in as they move pages.
 
Eventing is the only registered thing we can do due to his height & my age grrrrr so its on the cards eventually! :o

I love your pony so much, all your gang are cool but he is beyond awesome. His face is always so keen! Massive well done on the frillies, eventing next :D

I never see your C&T posts :( I always seem to log in as they move pages.
 
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