More XC stuff, part of an occasional series. ;) My worst errors xc...

[kerilli]

Right, get comfy.
One of the ideas i put forward in my letter to BE etc was an idea i saw in Flying magazine, a monthly article called "I learned about flying from that" where pilots post a story of a near-miss or worse which they survived (obviously) and which everyone can learn from. It's very popular and makes excellent informative reading, even to non-pilots like me. I suggested something similar in Eventing. Nobody's grabbed the idea, so maybe we can do it here, and learn from each other's mistakes?!
So, i'll go first.
The worst mistakes I've ever made xc and sort-of gotten away with. (well, got penalties, but neither horse or rider injured.) i.e. Things Not To Do, even in the heat of the moment...

One, i did twice, on 2 diff horses. Slow learner, me. In both cases I came to a water hazard with fence afterwards on the slope up, and expected the horse to back off the water, so came in too strong and too fast tbh. both times, instead of backing off and slowing down, the horse charged on through the water and up the other side, and it was too late for me to slow down. In the first case, at a hunter trial, we got to the step up and the clever horse realised we were too close and somehow turned sideways so he just rolled up it and i stepped off, he had a muddy side but not a scratch on him. 2nd time was first Intermediate run on my mare who went Advanced, same thing, idiot me rode too fast and strong, we went up the other side to fence on top, got there too fast for her to take stock of the problem, and clever girl did a last second "eeek" safety stop. totally served me right, i was livid with myself though!
What I learnt: Speed does not = commitment, and i'm better with a controlled slow pace with tons of leg on and the horse well in front of the leg...
another one:
first time Intermediate on the first horse, his first one too, clear all the way to last real question, through water, turned left up river bank (at decorous speed this time, i'd learnt something finally) and in the last 3 strides i changed my mind from "i must be sensible and do the long route" to "we could get placed, try the direct route" (fairly meaty bounce). Changing my mind 3 strides away and changing direction to shove him at fence really wasn't smart at all - safety stop again (good boy, 100% my fault, did not get a smacked bum for that one.)
What I learnt - make your decision well before the fence and flipping well stick to it!
I am definitely not mentioning the missers where i have seen only a 'hospital stride' and just chucked the reins at the horse, kept leg on, prayed and let it get on with it. I suppose it's marginally better than removing its teeth and burying it instead...!
So, that's it, i've washed my dirty linen in public. Is anyone else going to dare do the same...?!

 

[Lolo]

God... too many!

rgued with my horse at this tiny 2'3 pallisade coming out the woods at Burnham Market, he took off after the fence in protest but I tried to pull him round the corner at the same time. He slipped and fell over and I went flying out the side door. We both scrambled up and continued (clear) and eventually came 6th because the fall was on the flat. I learnt to listen to him, and if he tries to tank into a fence, let him and then pull up afterwards. Burnham Market (again) we lew out the woods and he rocketed down the hill. I tried to pull up, but he ignored me, but then got in a muddle and slammed into the fence so hard we moved it. I now know, if I think it's too fast, bring him round and DO NOT ATTEMPT THE FENCE, lol.

Blackwater Farm, thought it was only a tiny fence so pulled him up bit. I got a bit hooky, and he hates that, so launched from a fair ay out. Then, he bucked on landing and I went flying. Got back on and continued before the fence judge got to me, but learnt that if I got left behind, let him go in ront and sit UP.

I always seem to fall off after the fence...

 

[Rafferoo]

OK I'll join you!! I probably made my worst mistake this year, on a fairly green, inexperienced horse in an intro. Had to go through a gateway just before the fence (fairly straightforward fence but spooky) I lost all impulsion, saw the fence, panicked about lack of canter - kicked on into a flat, long canter, saw a long stride and threw said horse at fence without enough impulsion for him to take the stride (it was particularly bad because he is fairly scopy and can jump a much bigger fence from a long one!). Luckily said horse is actually more sensible that I give him credit for, tried to stuff a short one in, couldn't really manage it so clambered on with front feet whilst trying to do an emergency stop! I fell off as he whipped round panicking at the eejit half way up his neck.

If I had created impulsion and kept him on his hocks in a shorter canter we would have met the fence perfectly and I created a problem by panicking, dropping him and worrying too much about where I was going to take off which should not have been such a big concern over a small fence. I think it is actually just about the most idiotic riding I have ever done! There - dirty laundry aired.....

 

[kerilli]

Oh, that's reminded me, falls on the flat...!
When 3 fences from home at our first CCI 3* (old format), a few seconds up on the clock after a pretty much foot-perfect round, do not jump the last corner and calmly think "that's it, all the difficult ones done, just cruise home now" because God will hear you and the next minute your mare will slip over on the flat and you will regret that lost chance of a top 10 placing for for the rest of your life...
So, lesson learnt = don't believe you're home and dry until you are home and dry!

 

[Rafferoo]

Ouch - that must have hurt mentally and physically!! Only one thing for it - another stab at a 3*....

 

[FinkleyGladiator]

Number 1: ALWAYS use studs XC!
My first 2'6'' with Finn (now that was a long time ago!!).It was really slippy and he came flying into a fence changed his mind at the last minute, stopped and I cant actually remember if we flew over backwards or somersaulted over the top. Either way OUCH!

Number 2: Check your speed!
A bit like Kerellis (but luckily only training). Came through the water at Gt.Witchingham a bit too quick , he got really unbalanced and the jetty(in my sig.) was a bit too much of an ask for little 13.3 Finny so we ran out. Now we walk down the step/slope and do walk-canter when we get on dry land!
This = clear rounds and Finn feeling rather clever!

 

[doodles]

Hi. This is a great idea... I'm also a scuba-diver, and on many diver forums they also have an 'I learned from that' section. It really makes you think things through... kind of how would I have done it differently... and also what to avoid. Perhaps you could ask H&H to add a section? As for owning up to mistakes.... hmmm got a few hours....?!?

 

[Mbronze]

I learned from an event i did this year that i was always best to get a few time penalties and come into everything with a really strong canter rather than speed round with a flat fast canter that horse couldn't cope with.

 

[dozzie]

The worst mistake for me was not walking the course properly! The jump was a bit complex with lots of options. The most difficult one being a bounce. Well I knew my horse would happily do the bounce as opposed to the easier options so just thought flippantly oh thats ok, i wont look at the poster of instructions/options on the fence! Didnt even think to look at the flags. I just assumed it was one of those fences to sort out the chaff from the straw so to speak. Well the bounce wasnt an option! It wasnt until i had finished and was chatting about the course and someone said wasnt that jump no. 13 (or whatever)...fiddly! I was

Well it was straightforward for me! Straight through the bounce! The horse went clear too! I was a tad embarrassed to say the least. Fortunately it didnt end up with an injury though. But i went from second place to elimination LOL!

 

[Daisychain]

Finding all this really interesting! Kereli compleatly agree with everything you wrote lol!

I was always if in doubt just kick and hope for the best, but had some really excellent s.j. lessons with James Grassick and he really taught me how if you dont see anything say 7 strides out then wait untill you do... DONT just push out and ruin your canter, but equally you have to have power so you dont just pull and have the canter die underneath you.

Unfortunately my horse is lame, and will be off for quite awhile, am praying that he will come right, i havent been really able to carry on this season.

 

[LEC]

I could not understand how I could jump corners on their own fine but stick a fence in front and then a curving line to a skinny/corner I would often have run outs. I discovered that I was not turning early enough and that actually you need to turn while jumping the fence rather than landing then thinking about it.

I have also learnt that I do not hold a line. I was very casual when I walked course and relied on the generosity of the horse. In fact I needed to see my line about 10 strides away and then ride forwards on that line. I am so much better now about walking courses and then sticking to a plan/line.

I spent a whole season missing fences being too casual walking courses (see a familiar theme here!) and being technically eliminated. I now walk the course with the xc guide in my hand so I know what comes next!

 

[Chloe_GHE]

Hmmmm well same as FG never do anything on grass without studs he doesn't like it, learnt from one very shockingly bad lesson that did nothing for our sj confidence sliding into everything!!

On my old boy I did Tdown ODE once and we had that step sequence that is kinda shaded by the trees. You canter to a step down, 1 stride, step up, 1 stride step down and off you go. My old boy was a total start xc would lob his body over anything so I guess being young and daft I became a bit complacent and anticipated that he would just jump in so was infront of the movement, he stopped to look at a shadow and I came forward and landed sitting on his neck!!!!!! so embarrasing, reins were washing lines and he carried on up the next step and off the 3rd step with me on his neck infront of the saddle the whole time!!!!!

pulled up and shuvved myself back in the plate and carried on!!! the commentator thankfully couldn't see due to the trees but the jump judge radioed back, and he said 'Chloe.....and The Flying Flump negotiated the steps in a rather novel way but they are clear'!!!!!

NEVER GET COMPLACENT - lesson learnt

 

[UncleJr]

Well done K!!!!! What an interesting post!!!

Some errors I can remember atm.
1. Long time ago, a ditch with high vertical on top of a hill. I thought I could make three strides, ...the horse didn’t, ...and made four...!

He put a fore in the ditch, couldn’t lift his fores properly and found the pole on the way. It was a slow rotational, I stayed on the saddle until the last moment (too much IMO now), and both landed, me inside the ditch, the horse out of it. Very lucky UncleJr, didn’t get squashed by the horse!!! Got on the horse and continued; ... those times when we could do that...

Lesson: never again tried to jump with a long stride. I mean a take off far from the fence. Sorry, I don’t know if I’m being clear. For me, a v long take off means danger!

2. Both times I made the same mistake and had a refusal.

First one was a combination, a vertical and a step up a wall at 11m away from it. Green horse, and I knew I had to let her have a look at the wall. Well, I didn’t and pushed her too much; she went to the right instead. Very silly me...
Second one at a water jump. Came too fast and didn’t let her have a proper look at the fence. She stopped. Now it’s late, but I think if I came trotting, letting her have a look, she wouldn’t have stopped. We did it well after that.
She wasn’t one of those horses that stopped but, when seeing something strange she just wanted to slow down a little and have a good look before jumping. She was strong enough to jump anything.
Lesson: you can encourage but don’t rush; let the horse feel comfortable and confident, and always be in control. Specially when it is a green horse.

3. Not an error but experiences.
I always walk the course more than once, maybe three times if I can. See and study ALL the options.
If I can, I watch riders before me, and maybe I can change an option BEFORE I START if I see a problem in that fence. Once I’ve decided, I always stick to my decision.
I train my horses to jump in all different ways, low height, and letting them have the initiative; this can save our integrity if I have a blind/senior/dumb moment at the jump; and actually it has saved us a few times!!

And my favourite: I NEVER think that I might have a fall in the course; that is NOT an option for me. POSITIVE PROGRAMMING ALWAYS!!!!

 

[deskbound]

Know when you're broken.

At an innocuous looking double of 5 bar gates (early season Int) some years ago, my one eyed pone was not really focussing on the job in hand, and failed to recall that both bits of front landing gear needed to be retrieved to jump safely

..... I had a little forward roll, and was luckily in a corral so could retrieve the pone, and hop back on. It did occur to me that my ankle was sitting at a funny angle

, but I was nothing if not determined...

wodged spurs in, growled a bit and continued. *Bad one eye*. Couple of fences later, tried to put leg on and no feeling in right leg

. *hmmm*. Not ideal. Pony losing confidence, me losing balance, pulled up and went home.

Walking was tricky, as was indeed any weight bearing

. But I was the sole person there driving my lorry with my precious (naughty) pone in it, so went to the doctor saying "I WAS FINE"

, covered leg in icetight and drove 3 hrs home. Next day didn't go to A&E, went on netball tour instead... go figure....

Fast forward a few weeks and when I eventually got it checked I'd done my Achilles and didn't ride for 6 months

.

Lesson learned: I am not superwoman

(all the time

) and there is always another day...

 

[kerilli]

Oh, this is reminding me of other ones actually...!
re: walking the course properly - yes, i have managed to miss out a fence on coursewalk (in the fog) and then also when i rode round. it was the OI and mare did a stonking clear so i was really chuffed, until I saw the big fat E by my name...
i did the same thing at Weston Park 1-day one spring, walked course without program and thought sunked road was ABC, didn't even see the D part on the angle, so didn't ride it, got another big fat E for a lovely 'clear' where mare didn't put a foot wrong but numpty rider didn't aim her in the right places!
so now i won't walk a course without the programme in my hand to check against, esp ABCD parts of fences etc. an undeserved E is SO infuriating!

 

[milliepops]

I think my worst error was not listening to my horse and trusting gut instinct. My YO is old school kick-on-regardless type and I used to find it difficult to justify my decisions to her - she made me feel like a right wuss.

2 years ago in our second season of N, my mare had a really crappy run with 3 SJs and 3 refusals xc. She is not a horse that stops xc - we might have a run out if I ride like a muppet, but not a 'no, don't want to' stop. Already had entries in a the next event and got E in the SJ - she just didn't want to jump. Turned out to be a low grade viral thing , she had 6 weeks holiday and came out right as rain.

I did it again last season at Dauntsey - timing wasn't great as the 2 events we had entered before were rained off so we were quite underprepared. Set out on the xc and she banked all of the tables. Should have pulled up right away, but I was desperate to get round the trickiest part of the course (in my mind) which was a hedge, 90 degree turn to big step up, 90 degree turn to corner, then a combination finishing with skinny triple brush. Never jumped anything that technical or a triple brush so I thought I would try to get that far and then pull up. Dur! I still feel like a total muppet now

- we skipped round the first set of questions, but she didn't want to know at the triple brush. Snotty nose the next day. Why oh why didn't I listen to her?!

So - lesson learnt. My girl loves her xc and normally pulls like a train, is very clever with her feet and I just have to steer between the flags. I now know that if that's not happening, something is wrong, and there is no shame in retiring.

*hangs head in shame at the memory of it*

Oh, and my other, more positive lesson learnt is that you aren't going to just *know* how to do it perfectly by yourself. I'm my own worst enemy and used to expect too much of myself, not in a big-headed, 'I don't need any help' way, but in a 'I'm so stupid, why can't I just get it' way! Neither horse nor I have ever competed above N so have finally accepted that we need guidance and help to find our way, and that is OK and normal!!

 

[Gonetofrance]

I had showjumped a lot before starting to event, so I had some interesting moments.

Things I have learned.

1) If your slightly ditchy showjumper recently turned eventer puts you over his head into a ditch, he will be reassured when you crawl out alive, and figure as you were not eaten, neither will he be and will therefore jump it perfectly on the second attempt. (This was before the falling off and out rule)

2) Folding up the neck over a ski jump with a large drop is silly and can hurt your teeth. I only did this once.

3) Galloping at a big hedge with a drop and folding up the neck will make your horse stumble and test your stickability. I also only did this once.

4) Taking a pull at a steeplechase fence is a bad idea and hailing a taxi is the inevitable conclusion.

5) Don't swear at a sticky moment. Some joker will have it loud and clear on a video.

5) If you have fallen in water, retire. It's not funny trying to navigate a green horse round the rest of the course with your reins and saddle as slippery as wet soap. (Not applicable now though)

6) If you have fallen in water (but another horse has had the decency to get you round), don't take your boots off before the prizegiving. You won't get them back on, and Doc Martens don't cut it for the photographs.

 

[Daisychain]

V good!

 

[OldGit]

Wow K think this is a really good idea, sadly however I think I'll have to sit down and think about when it went right, it will be a shorter post!

 

[Kentisheventer]

I have a couple from my short time eventing!

1) Make sure you know where the photographer is so you can: 1 SMILE and 2 not lose your stirrups at a combination resulting in fits of laughter in the photographer's tent!

2) Make sure you stud correctly... a technical 20 is so frustrating after a slip.

3) screw studs in properly! losing half your studs (all in 1 side!) really isnt funny on your first novice!

4) There is no such thing as a let up fence! The most frustrating thing is having a stop at an easy peasy

5) Even if you have to intro on an intermediate horse (who's pretty quick) and can see another horse ahead- dont challenge yourself to catch up with it, 1 TF time fault is rather embarrasing!

6) check your stirrups are on the bar properly... and when they DO come off, dont accept help from a steward! (30 time faults as a result!)

7) Make sure you know which way to turn (at an unaff PC)... fence judges really arent amused when you jump over a small hedge to try and back track!


Finally...
8) Don't go for a slow clear... you just lose rhythm and dont have the right mentality!

 

[punk]

Ok - slightly different angle!!!

Mistakes can happen right at the beginning!!!!

Have just got back from PC area dressage - daughter doing open warm-up BD Novice 20, and area dressage.

Indoors on a surface, with arenas jammed together.

Warm-up went well and 65% was in the top ten.

Then main test - total disaster!! Building work going on (hammering) outside (Ingliston EC) caused major spooking - caused total blank on test with rider - 3 times!!! ELIMINATED!!!! for the first time in their career up to Intermediate eventing.
So - it can all happen very quickly - when you least expect it!!!

Thank goodness this was just PC area dressage, and we hadn't wasted an Intermediate eventing entry fee!!!

(ps - she was an Individual - so did not let anyone down!!)

 

[natwood7]

Always try to lok at fences from your horses point of view. At quite a technical event earlier this season I really rode all the combinations/dodgy angled fences..then thought I was over the difficult stuff and assumed my horse would just jump a straightforward hedge into a wood. He scared himself and stopped twice because the jump was going into dark and had a slope on landing.

If i had just steadied him up and rode more strongly he would have not panicked himself! I now walk courses and try to see what the horses might see as a problem not just me!!

 

[dixie]

I first thought I couldn't think of anything as my old xc horse was great and I obviously hadn't learnt a thing but then I thought of this:-

1) Don't count the prize money or points until over the last fence - I always seem to do this and it invariably goes wrong.

2) Don't assume that because your horse is a xc machine he will jump no matter what all the time.

3) have also done the big grin for fabulous clear only to find out I've missed a loop off the xc course.

4) Also gone to event on my own,decided sj was ridicously low but because I was in the top ten I would deem to jump. Slopped around the corner to practice show jump, said horse runs out and I fall off and hurt my back having to withdraw from the event altogether and wait until the dizzy spells go to drive home slowly.

5) Also been to Stockton Lovell in one of my first Novices. No-one was going clear over the show jumps until me!!! That is until I get to the last fence with the black and white stripey fillers. Horse spooks badly first time, second time he deems to go right up to the fence and dump me right on the top of the fence & I have to be carried out the ring and driven home. Again I was thinking I was home and clear.

6) Also learnt that speed is not the answer. During my first year eventing I would struggle with the PN time, so in my fourth event I went hell for leather and promptly had two run outs - my first faults on this very honest horse.

7) finally if your horse has a fat leg, don't travel 4 hours to Longleat with family in tow, let them pay for B&B and then the next morning realise he's still got a fat leg and withdraw after the dressage. Just so that I could try and make use of my entry fee I made myself and family trek for miles for nothing.

 

[kerilli]

oh yes, never just assumed that an easy 'let up fence' is that to your horse. at Rodbaston PN some years ago on my huge v spooky wb i rode all the tricky and narrow fences determinedly and they were fine, then came to a 30' wide let up fence near the end and just casually aimed at the middle of it - which would have been okay on most horses, i guess - and from a few strides away he saw a dragon in the hedge beside it and shot sideways. 20 penalties. must be the only horse to find a 30' wide fence 'skinny.' i was SO livid with myself for sitting there like a muppet and trusting him!

 

[jumptoit]

1) Always walk the course properly!!!! I have gone wrong so many times it is ridiculous.

2) Always make sure you know which colour flags you are jumping.

3) Always decide on your plan and stick to it.

4) Don't walk the course with friends go by yourself or with one person who knows your horse. Hearing about everyone's worries makes you doubt yourself and does nothing for your confidence.

5) Never let a TB 'get away' from you at any point.

6) If you land from a fence and realise you've left it too late to go the right side of the tape, go the wrong side (providing you can get out!

) rather than doing a handbrake turn on bad ground.

7) If your horse doesn't move off your leg and get going give it a tap with your stick - saves on unnecessary time pens!

8) Don't let a horse (especially a TB!) lull you into a false sense of security by being well behaved in the SJ, they will undoubtedly not be the same XC!

9) Check your horse's shoes in the week before an event - it's very frustrating to get a 28 Dr and then have to WD because of a loose shoe!

10) Always be ready for the horse to stop at the practice fence - saves any unnecessary embarrassment when you fall off at the 2ft log before flying round the Intro course!

 

[jumptoit]

In the SJ don't change your leg through trot a few strides out on a dishonest horse either!

 

[kerilli]

[ QUOTE ]
In the SJ don't change your leg through trot a few strides out on a dishonest horse either!

[/ QUOTE ]
oh gosh yes. if you're on the wrong leg, sort it out BEFORE/IN THE CORNER, don't try to do something 3 strides from the next fence when unbalanced in counter canter, you'll get there disunited and prob have it down.
i had to have this drummed into me so many times by totally exasperated trainer before the penny finally dropped...!

 

[jumptoit]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
In the SJ don't change your leg through trot a few strides out on a dishonest horse either!

[/ QUOTE ]
oh gosh yes. if you're on the wrong leg, sort it out BEFORE/IN THE CORNER, don't try to do something 3 strides from the next fence when unbalanced in counter canter, you'll get there disunited and prob have it down.
i had to have this drummed into me so many times by totally exasperated trainer before the penny finally dropped...!

[/ QUOTE ]

The penny dropped for me on Sun when I did it and didn't have a strong enough canter after I'd changed it so horse just said sod off and ducked out the side - but if it had jumped it I wouldn't of learnt!

 

[Shazzababs]

Definately always walk the course properly and concentrate....

Many years ago used ti BE (It was BHS Event in those days LOL!) my ex-steeplechaser. He was a bold boy, used to take strides out of everything, including doing steps 2 at a time given half a chance.

Anyway, we were doing the novice at Brightling Park, about 3/4 of the way around there was a lovely big drop log. Jumped fantastically from a good gallop.

Unfortunately I had forgotten about the upright 5 bar gate 6 strides after it...resulted in my only rotational fall ever (touch wood), as he was completely out of control and just hooked his knees under the top rail and flipped over. I'm sure I was supposed to be eliminated, but for some reason I hopped back on and finished the course! Oh to be 17 again!

 

[kerilli]

OMG Shazzababs, i bet the fence judges nearly had heart failure when you took the log on at a good gallop...!
re: walk course properly and concentrate - yes, particularly about which tracks to take in woods if there's a choice. i've gone down the wrong one twice now... both cost me a good placing or a win. hope that's taught me!