Mature novice's first jumping attempts

Heucherella

Heucherella

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I conquered my nerves this weekend, and entered the 2'3 class at the arena eventing at Norton Heath.

We arrived early and had plenty of time to walk the course, and spot the rider-frightener that was jump 3 (an up-to height skinny), the tight turn between 4 and 5, and the awkward route round from 7 to 8. The rest actually didn't look too bad, even to me!

I was rather nervous, as I had never even been to watch a jumping competition of any sort, let alone entered one. Talk about deep end .

It was a huge class, with lots of whizzy ponies, and the warm-up ring was an experience.....

Rolo settled down well, and really seemed to enjoy it. He didn't believe me the first time I pointed him at the skinny, so we had to go round again, and I managed to persuade him that yes, he would actually fit between the uprights.

The rest was fun, and apart from losing a stirrup near the end, and having to circle to get sorted, was fairly straightforward.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h-wx5MRbmE

I didn't ride well, or tidily, but I don't care - I was just so chuffed to get round safely and without getting lost . It was a fab experience, and the pro pics are lovely. (I don’t usually like pics of me riding…)

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The second pic is just FAB !! Rolo looks so happy and you look very good too !
Give yourselves a big pat on the back!!
Well done ! :)
 
Thanks everyone! I was really nervous beforehand, but once it was just me and him in the arena, I started to relax, and by about halfway round was grinning like a loon :). So exhilarating! If I can just get rid of the warm-up nerves, I could be hooked.....(might need a lot more lessons as well.......;) )
 
Well done you looked like you were having a fab time.

I think i have the dun version of Rolo, very similar in markings, build and way of going.... tries his heart out for you, leaves you feeling a bit disheveled on top and there is often the odd fence that he wants to make sure you definately want to go over it, and if he is not sure then will gently swerve past it, but really dosen't want you to fall off.

Your video made me smile :):)
 
That looked fab! And what a lovely school and jumps. I can remember once doing a clear round event in a field on a turbo cob and losing a stirrup half way round. Being the short legged midget that I am, i lost control and turbo cob headed off the field into some trees. I managed to get my stirrup back, come out of the forest and jump the rest of the course to cheers from the small crowd - which made up for the lack of a rosette!!!
 
well done to you both. the pics are lovely and the video is great to watch.

watching the video made me have a smile on my face simnply because you had a constant smile on yours. so thankyou for that! :D

nice to see people enjoying their horses again. congrats.
 
:D You should be extreamly proud of yourself and Rolo!! I only started learning to jump properly last year! I'm 41 and realised my cob absolutely loves jumping so had lesson's and while I'm not the worlds best...and I do scream quiet alot I love it and would be very excited to have done what you've achieved!!!

I did my first XC event last summer and I don't think I stopped grinning for months afterwards!!

Your horse is stunning, just my type!! Well done both of you and look forward to seeing some XC pictures next!!:D
 
Well done! Rolo is absolutely stunning and you did really well as it was your first time! Hopefully you'll get more confident as you do more classes, but it didnt look too bad to me :)
How big is he? He looks erm quite large :p :D
 
That was great, you did so well! Loved the video with you grinning :D

Super photo's, what a jump in the second one!

I think you definately deserve a rossette, be it virtual you can have this one!

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