My attempt at an eventer trial - bit of a disaster! long...

[bex1984]

Firstly, thank you to everyone who wished me good luck for the eventer trial/ODE thing that me and Murphy attempted yesterday.

Unfortunately, it didn’t go very well.

The dressage was OK, especially considering it is our fifth dressage test ever, and our first ever test on grass. We got 38.5 pens, there were a few 7s on there, so I was pleased with that. We got 38.5, which I think is not bad?

We had walked the course in the morning, and thought it was quite scary but my class was aimed at novices, so we thought they’d take quite a few of the scary things out. I watched them get the course ready for my class and it was SCARY! The jumps were up to height, and probably over in some cases, loads of scary fillers etc. I was having a melt down looking at the course, so went to pop over a xpole in the warm up – and fell off!!

Murphy did a massive cat leap and I went flying. Got back on and jumped it a few more times (he leaped again!) – by this time I just couldn’t stop crying

, and there was no way I could go into the ring, it wouldn’t have been fair on Murphy because I couldn’t have committed to the jumps, so I withdrew

I’m just so annoyed with myself for being so useless and falling off, and just completely losing my nerve. Any half decent rider wouldn’t have fallen off. I am really disappointed that I just couldn’t give it a go. I though I had imagined every possible thing that might go wrong, but all of them at least involved me giving the jumping a go

I know I did the right thing by withdrawing, but I’m still gutted

And I have a big bump on my head and I have to buy a new hat

Pimms to anyone who made it this far!

 

[FinellaGlen]

Aw, big hug from me. I think you were very brave for trying to do an ODE event. I never, ever jump any more because I spent the majority of my time trying to recapture my pony when I did jump, I was that bad

I have just posted my disastrous dressage experience so you should be proud of yourself for doing so well in your test in my opinion

 

[JessPickle]

Still a brilliant dressage result

I am sure you were just unlucky, anyone can get unseated from a cat leap jump! I have seen those pictures of you flying over logs, so it was definetly just a case of having a bad day.

 

[zeuscleoharmony]

Well done for having a go. You've already said the course was bigger than you anticipated and more scary so no wonder it unnerved you. I would rather go under a jump than over it so whilst I cannot give you any constructive advice wanted to give you some moral support. Don't be too hard on yourself and your riding abilities. We all have off days. I think its a big pat on the back for realising your limitations yesterday and withdrawing.

 

[Gorgeous George]

So sorry it didn't go to plan, I have replied in comp riders, but well done for having a go, doing a great dressage test and having the nerve and sense to decide enough was enough.

{{hugs}}

 

[MontyandZoom]

Don't sweat it! Really well done for having a go. Falling off is bloody horrible and the more tense you are, the more he'll leap, the more likely you are to fall off......etc.

Don't let it put you off doing it again. I have a dressage test coming up that I'm nervous about. My aim is to go along and warm up and if we get through the test.....even better!

 

[bex1984]

Thanks everyone, am trying to focus on the positive of the dressage going pretty well.

 

[pottamus]

Well first of all well done for having a go...which is more than I would do...you did the right thing to withdraw as you were concerned and scared and would pass this onto Murphy too. You have both worked so hard building up your jumping and are doing so well...so there is no point scaring yourself. I am so sorry to hear you fell off but please keep doing what you are doing as you are both doing brill!
Do not see it as a problem...we all have set backs and can carry on and still move forward...you just need to keep having fun with your lovely boy and it will all fit into place.

 

[PapaFrita]

Don't worry about falling off! Happens to everyone and it's certainly happened to me (XC AND SJing!

) I'd be ecstatic at doing so well in the dressage! I'm sure the nerves will disappear with a bit more practice

 

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

Well done for even trying.
doing anything on grass for the first time is horrible and it sounds like the dressage went really well.
I took a nasty tumble on grass last summer at a dizzy height of 45cm. It hurt like hell and wrecked my confidence for ages so you did the right thing in pulling out if you didn't feel "right" about it.
Was this the one at rearsby? What was th xc like?

 

[MrsMozart]

As others have said, very well done you for giving it a go

.

You got a good dressage result; and you were willing to give the jumping a go despite the size of the jumps and the fillers. So good on you hunny.

Hugs and hot choccy

 

[Dteccytiv]

Becky, you and murf had a go thats more than i would have done, well done for that. Concentrate on all the good things that you both achieved yesterday, try not to let one hiccup set you back. Good luck for the next ODE that you do, because you will do one, and you and smurf will know what to expect.

 

[kibob]

Never mind, you had a go and I think that was really brave - I'd have seen the jumps and gone home for a nice hack

As others have said, concentrate on what went well and don't let it put you off

 

[Grey_Eventer]

dont worry about it, well all have bad days- i fell ff TWICE on friday at a SJing competition- beat that

well done on the dressage- what a great score!!
Have another go, maybe at something a bit smaller so you feel more confident, or maybe just some pure SJing at a show as there are lots of heights there, this would build up your confidence with jumping fillers etc.
Good luck for the future, dont be put off!

 

[rara007]

Well done on the awesome dressage

Unlucky aboutthe rest, but you know what to work on, and atleast Murphy wasn't a disgrace or anything.

 

[3BayGeldings]

Glad to hear i'm not the only one who has cried at a show after falling off!!

Seriously, we all have bad days and everybody falls off and feels like they're the worst rider in the world. In a few months you'll look back on this and laugh, when you're winning you're first BE event or something!

H x

 

[Kenzo]

Hey don't be daft if was your first time and there is a lot to take in, at least now you can aim to practice a bit more because now you know what your up against next time and you get really stuck in and practice more at home so you will be more prepaired for next time, don't be so hard on yourself, you went and gave it a shot and you won't be the first or the last person to do that so chin up and get some fighting talk back and you'll be fine next time.

XxhugsxX

 

[loopyloop]

Aaaaw Becky, don't be disheartened!!

You went and you gave it a go, that's what matters!

We all have bad days and I know you and Murphy will crack the jumping thing!!

Come on, look at me and Kharna, I ended up in A&E last year with a suspected fractured spine and then the first time I was feeling confident to take her out jumping she decked me in the warm up! I'm back on and jumping her, granted I still get a tad nervy but you've seen her jump, she looks out for herself and nobody else!

Murphy looks out for you and just think if he's cat leaping the fences he's obviously found his enthusiasm for jumping, there will be no stopping the two of you by the end of summer!!!

Keep your chin up, hope you're not too sore!