most embarrassing moment during a dressage test/SJ round/XC?

R

Rider12

Member
Joined
24 December 2016
Messages
16
Visit site
Hi all, not looking to humiliate anyone here just needing a laugh at some embarrassing equestrian stories.

I'll start. When I was 26, I'm 30 now (time flies) I was at my local horse trials and realised I forgot to pack my riding underwear. I decided to go commando under my jods. Made it through the dressage okay, but when it got to the Showjumping over a fence the backside ripped and well, people got a nasty view of my bum!

Jokes aside, I lived that incident all down, and still compete to this day.

Don't forget the time I also pissed myslef at pony club when I was 8.
 
Not competing, but I got knocked off by a tree on Wednesday, horse spooked sideways, I didn't have time to duck and got hit by a really solid branch
 
I got eliminated in the dressage of a BE event for going wrong three times after my dressage instructor had travelled out to warm me up 😳
 
I very nearly got eliminated in the dressage at the BRC Champs having travelled 10 hours to get there... went wrong twice so had one chance left - thankfully I managed to remember! On a different trip down south to the horse trial champs, my horse had never done roads & tracks, went past a checkpoint but he spooked and we galloped past the same checkpoint person going in the other direction, only to trot past again once we were under control - bet they were wondering how on earth we got to the champs!

Windy day at a BE event, horse was going to explode at any moment in the dressage but got to the very end. Came to the halt, lifted hand off rein to salute and he exploded into the air, spun, dumped me at G and took off full pelt through the warm up to stop dead at my mum... That was fun.
 
Unaff dressage last year and horse spooking so violenty as I arrived at A to start I got dumped, he almost ran away but decided better of it

Losing my bridle as I left the arena at the ROR champs last sept, still giggling about this now :D (photo evidence of this available lol)
 
leflynn said:
Losing my bridle as I left the arena at the ROR champs last sept, still giggling about this now :D (photo evidence of this available lol)
Click to expand...

Think we will need to see that photographic evidence!

For me it was taking a greener-than-I-realised mare to a small showjumping comp and finding ourselves stuck inside a parallel. All the poles still up - front legs in, back legs out. Everyone laughed and said 'awww' as people ran on to dismantle the jump around us.

She was such a trier and so sweet to even attempt it! We went on to have lots of success despite the rushed start (she's my avatar pic <)
 
SJ: Forgetting the course in my first round. Went back in at the next height, determined to go the right way and fell off at fence 4.

Dressage: Trotted around the outside of the arena, happily ignoring the boards, nice and relaxed and soft. Turned down the cetnre line and got "No no no, what are those?!" and turned into a giraffe for the whole test, which I then got lost in twice as I was trying to settle him (16yo who should know better).

XC (schooling): Happily popping things nicely on the course, had been through one of their water complexes so had already jumped into water. Came up to a different water jump, was in a nice forward canter up a line of fences, got to the one into the water and pony realised mid jump that there was water on the landing and dropped anchors. Then stood there not quite knowing what to do with himself. Naturally it got caught on camera!

 
MeltingSnowflake said:
Think we will need to see that photographic evidence!

For me it was taking a greener-than-I-realised mare to a small showjumping comp and finding ourselves stuck inside a parallel. All the poles still up - front legs in, back legs out. Everyone laughed and said 'awww' as people ran on to dismantle the jump around us.

She was such a trier and so sweet to even attempt it! We went on to have lots of success despite the rushed start (she's my avatar pic <)
Click to expand...

bridlegate by Laura, on Flickr
 
One of the youngsters I was riding ditched me at a VERY SMALL log before a water complex XC because he didn't want to go in. He came in at a canter, stopped and dropped his shoulder then spun, leaving me on the ground. This was a regular trick of his so nobody was too surprised. However, he then galloped off to the next bit of water and stood right in the middle of it, up to his shoulders, daring me to come and fetch him.
 
I love this thread, it's making me chuckle! leflynn, how on earth did that happen?

I had to abandon the first test I attempted on the ex-racehorse I had on loan a couple of years ago. He was terrified in the warm-up, dripping sweat and rodeoing. A trainer in the warm-up told me to go in anyway for the experience (he was right to be fair, despite what happened it was better than I expected). The test was very very backward and tense, with plenty of bucks, then when we got to medium walk the horse went into reverse and I had to retire. The judge's extremely condescending comment on the sheet was 'the concept with a tense horse should be to get it going forward' - I'd liked to have seen him try!!

Our second test (not on the same day) we completed with an impressive 47.5% :P It did get better after that!
 
j1ffy said:
I love this thread, it's making me chuckle! leflynn, how on earth did that happen?

I had to abandon the first test I attempted on the ex-racehorse I had on loan a couple of years ago. He was terrified in the warm-up, dripping sweat and rodeoing. A trainer in the warm-up told me to go in anyway for the experience (he was right to be fair, despite what happened it was better than I expected). The test was very very backward and tense, with plenty of bucks, then when we got to medium walk the horse went into reverse and I had to retire. The judge's extremely condescending comment on the sheet was 'the concept with a tense horse should be to get it going forward' - I'd liked to have seen him try!!

Our second test (not on the same day) we completed with an impressive 47.5% :P It did get better after that!
Click to expand...

It was a hot day and he had ears on underneath and I think the sweatier he got the more annoyed about life he got... Bridle was a smidge loose too, I halted after my test and turned away, he started to shake his head and halfway out of the arena (on a loose rein) an ear popped out of his bridle, before I had exited the whole hting was swinging underneath him. All I could think was to get out the arena before I got off so I didn't get eliminated lol! Got past the whiteboards and halted him and hopped off, one of the three judges commented on my sheet how calm he was when he 'lost' his bridle :D He is defo a good egg and a great advert for exracers :D I have since added extra half way holes to tighten his bridle and binned the ears off for thinner ones!! ;)

j1ffy - one of our early indoor tests we got 48% in an intro - he spooked a treat on the first centre line and refused to move to the judges, thankfully I got him going again but it was an awful test with zero steering :D He is a bit better indoors these days thankfully!
 
I think I managed the most embarrassing moments in all 3 disciplines all in one day. Took Millie out for her 2nd BE Novice to Spring Hill (now defunct but only ran Novice and Int so fairly meaty courses).

Forgot her bridles - both of them! Travelling companion was 17.2, Millie is 15 hands on her tip toes but we managed to bungle something together in time for an uninspiring dressage test, looking like a S&M bondage victim with an x-full bridle wrapped round her face.

Off to SJ. they were running behind and I went off the boil completely, it was hot and by the time we went to jump, the fences seemed to have grown far in excess of the 1.15m they were supposed to be, and all on half strides. We had the most uncomfortable round and 3 down (felt like all of them came down!), I lost my bottle completely, it was awful!

Friend sat me down before the XC and made me drink a tin of cider for some dutch courage :o
XC warm up was chaos, they were taking numbers rather than running anywhere near times and lots of multiple riders kept slotting in, I raised my voice about being pushed back so far so Ollie Townend who was attempting to slot in asked if I wanted to go before him... I said yes - set off and promptly fell of at the 3rd fence :D

An outing to forget!!:D:D:D Fortunately we had a double clear and a placing at her next Novice a couple of weeks later so it was just one of those days, :lol:
 
A friend kindly offered to take another friend and I out one weekend, I decided that I needed to go and do some SJ (it scares me, so I thought a small, local-ish, no pressure outing would be good for us).

We both entered 2x 70cm classes. On arrival, the course looked about twice that height to me (being a wuss messes with your perception!). However, he warmed up quite sweetly. Friend also warming up well.

Friend goes in first. Gets eliminated at fence 3 on refusals. Not a great start.

My turn. And I also get eliminated at fence 3 on refusals!! Not sure what happened, but he just said NO. (It was in the indoor at Blue Barn, for anyone that knows... could be why!).

The judge told me I could continue if I wanted, so I decided to at least try and get him over one more. He just kept refusing... a steward came and kept putting the jump down until it was a pole on the ground, and eventually he went over... then refused the next one so I gave up and shamefully exited the arena, I even apologised to the judges!

OK, 2nd class coming up. A chance to redeem ourselves! Apparently not, as friend got eliminated again, I think at fence 4 or 5 this time (refusals again). And I went and fell off at fence TWO!! He slammed the brakes on and spun, I popped off the side quite neatly. Instant elimination.

Again, the judge said I could get back on and have another go, if I wanted... thanks, but no thanks, I'm ready to go home!!

Of course, we were the only two in each class to have such trouble... and we were the only adults :D
 
I took my gelding to an indoor dressage competition, the first time he'd seen an indoor school, the mirrors, or the restaurant that took up one long side. He just about held it together until the bell went. As we trotted in, he planted at A and did the most massive poo imaginable. Low score for 'Enter at A, working trot....'
 
Magnetic Sparrow said:
I took my gelding to an indoor dressage competition, the first time he'd seen an indoor school, the mirrors, or the restaurant that took up one long side. He just about held it together until the bell went. As we trotted in, he planted at A and did the most massive poo imaginable. Low score for 'Enter at A, working trot....'
Click to expand...

Have had this half way up the centre line before :D and half way round a hunter trial he stopped dead and did a poo, could not get him to move LOL so embarrassing
 
Fell off at BD regionals as i forgot to tighten girth and my horse spooked at a flower pot and saddle sliped round its belly. Oooops on the plus side my balance must have been amazing in the warm up!
 
I have a double one!

Went SJ on 17"2 retired novice eventer (doing 70cm class then 80cm)
The final fence led onto the back end of a double (ridiculous design if you ask me!).
70cm round - jumped clear then horse locked onto back of double, I'm pulling like mad to avoid it, he swerved at the last minute, dirt bath for me, dragged along and filled my jods with rubber!
80cm round - jumped clear, tried to stop instead of steer, horse ignored me, we jumped the double backwards to the delight of the small crowd.

Steward was p*ssing themselves laughing!
 
Most embarrassing? Difficult to pick from a very long list.
Well there was the time I got eliminated fence two in SJ phase of BE100. Sure it happens but not when riding a current grade B showjumper.
Then there was the time a fell off as horse I was demonstrating to sell refused a cross pole from trot. Horse had won a puissance the weekend before.
Then there was the time I was chatting to a young lady in collecting ring who was very nervous about jumping the 2'3" class. I reassured her it was easy then fell off half way round (horse fell). Yes it was also a BS horse.
Most recent - first comp with new owner, whole family turn out to watch. Fence 1,2 & 3 lovely. Fence 4 I know is a purple and red fence so lock on and pop it. Realised half way over I was jumping an oxer backwards. Was a long walk out of the arena.

I've given up SJ
 
Showjumping as a junior at local riding club. Last fence in jump off and pony stood off by a mile, not quite sure what happened but I ended up clinging on to the side. Landed after the fence and we had a few metres to go til we passed through the timers. I clung on for my life and then once we were through, I sort of let myself plop to the ground. Pony went running off up the ring, found my dad spectating and stopped dead by him. Paramedics, sat a few feet away, gave me a round of applause.

I won the class though!
 
Dressage - nearly ran over the judge. It was a warm day and much too hot to sit in a car so they were both sat out in front on chairs.

I had thought the horse was a bit 'bouncy' when warming up, but when we completely missed the first halt I did wonder whether we'd left the breaks behind - and we had! Our first canter was an explosive display of flying changes (judge remarked how nice they were - & unnecessary). 2nd canter steering went altogether, head disappeared between legs and he carted me straight towards judge. She ran one way and her writer went the other. Avoided both luckily!

She asked me to just go back and finish as it was a good experience for a young horse (he was 14 - I didn't tell her that). Funnily enough neither of them sat back down again...
 
Doing a small unaff dressage test at the local PC on my instructors BD and retired Hoys WH horse. Horse went lovely with instructors niece in the walk and trot test then slipped and faceplanted in my prelim. 'Unfortunate early dismount' were the words on my test sheet.
 
Wilby's first time at a venue where the dressage judges sit in a proper box at the end of the arena. He spotted them in their going up the centre line the second time, and wouldn't stop until his nose was pressed up against the glass... He's a friendly soul!

I also had a bridlegate incident at a yard show, when he slammed on and disappeared backwards at the water tray, I managed to stay on (not sure how!) but removed the bridle... Wilbs calmly cantered off round the arena with my bridle in one hand.

SEL said:
She asked me to just go back and finish as it was a good experience for a young horse (he was 14 - I didn't tell her that).
Click to expand...

I get this a lot (horse has a baby face!) - I also don't tend to correct people!
 
sarahandwilby said:
Wilby's first time at a venue where the dressage judges sit in a proper box at the end of the arena. He spotted them in their going up the centre line the second time, and wouldn't stop until his nose was pressed up against the glass... He's a friendly soul!

I also had a bridlegate incident at a yard show, when he slammed on and disappeared backwards at the water tray, I managed to stay on (not sure how!) but removed the bridle... Wilbs calmly cantered off round the arena with my bridle in one hand.



I get this a lot (horse has a baby face!) - I also don't tend to correct people!
Click to expand...

My horse bit a judge before if that helps!!:D

I was scared to put this in the original post-but I'm confident now.
Last year I gave birth to my lovely daughter, and a few months after she was born I was back in the saddle. Confident as ever, I started jumping again. My mind was ready: my horse was: but my bladder wasn't. Jumping a few small jumps was enough to make me spring a leak in front of my instructor! Oh my it was embarrassing!! Cream Jods and that do not mix. I didn't expect I'd be wetting the saddle that day! I blame the nerves :p
 
At my very first show I was in my second class and my horse slipped cantering around a corner. I panicked and executed a perfect dismount on the off side, even adding pointy gymnast arms for flair. The photographer caught it all in a sequence. I had no idea about rules and etiquette in such situations so I asked the steward for a leg up (horse is 18hh) and completed my show with a cheesy grin. We came 4th out of 5 entries though - after one horse got in the ring and the rider complained that my horse was upsetting hers (my horse was stood still being very well behaved) and withdrew.
 
My daughter, when she was about 14 was on a Riding Club SJ team. The team traveled together in a lorry and daughter ate some cornflakes on the way. When we got there we realised we were running late so tack was quickly thrown on pony, daughter thrown on board, quick practice fence and in to jump. Pony and daughter jumped clear and on way out of indoor arena daughter threw up. Cornflakes and milk right at the entrance!
 
Down centre line, utterly ignore aids to halt, continue to C, stop dead, drop shoulder and deposit rider on judges' table. Exit at will (and at speed).
 
1st dressage test, RS pony at RS. Pony is wily old thing that looks after beginners but has nice rhythm. She is also unable to move while pooing and has been known to do canter-halt in 1 stride to poo... which improved my ability to sit a stop jumping!

Dressage test was in indoor at RS, indoor is basically 20x45 so you go into the ring to do the test. Pony has a preferred poo corner where she must go in every lesson so I spend time before test mooching there - she doesn't go. Bell goes, test starts and we start our 2nd trot circle in the middle. Pony naps out through shoulder to poo corner and halts to do poo in own time - ignoring my increasingly frantic aids. We then complete the test with no further issues!

More recently, same RS, different pony. Also a mare and fairly opinionated but nothing wild, can be nappy. Now doing prelims in 2px60 outdoor. 20x40 test so line of boards with gap for entrance. Row of people sat on horses by fence. Trot work all good enough, 1st canter and as we pass exit she swervs our the arena and charges to (shut) gate. I manage to remain aboard (just!) and restart test after locating stirrups. Attempt to repeat movement with similar result minus hanging out the side door. Go back in to not let witch pony get away with it, ignore canter on that rein, keep stick in outside hand and finish test, complete with canter on other rein no issues. 20x60 test later no problem as no gap to nap through.

Still lover her though!
 
Not in a competition but my loan pony rolled in a massive puddle during my Pony Club D test. I ended up soaked and covered in sand. Absolutely mortifying, although he had a great time!

During one of my very few showing experiences, my usually gentlemanly tbxwelsh suddenly decided in the Ridden Hunter class that showing life as opposed to his usual dressage career was very exciting. I was used to riding an excitable tb at the time so managed to hold him together without too much trouble - no one would have noticed. However, the judge had a rather different experience, asking for canter which my boy duly did, and kept doing for a very, very long time. I realised after 3 laps that this was not intentional and looked on in horror as my beautiful boy had an absolute hooley - I've rarely seen him look so happy with the rider looking so cross! He eventually managed to pull him up and leaped off and threw the rains at me. Needless to say, we didn't win :D

And another (I'm starting to think I need to work harder at my riding ability :p ) taking a very green and nappy horse to his first show - luckily a training one aimed at youngsters so a dressage test with a small jumping round in a nice quiet venue. In theory, perfect, except he had a full on napping fit in the dressage and kept spinning and running for the exit. The judge then had to get out of their box to go and shut the arena gate so I could complete my test. Very, very embarrassing although I got a triple underlined "well persevered" on my test sheet so luckily a sympathetic judge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top