FREESTYLER
Well-Known Member
got my time... 9.30am.. .ekkk... does anyone know the time for the horse walk in the morning? Is it worth doing this?
Nationals - dressage
- Thread starter FREESTYLER
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Bananaman
Well-Known Member
Definately worth doing the arena walk.......even if your horse isn't spooky, why wouldn't you do it? I'd leave no stone unturned!
The time should be in the schedule, it's usually about 7-7.30am as the classes often start 8-8.30.
GOOD LUCK!
The time should be in the schedule, it's usually about 7-7.30am as the classes often start 8-8.30.
GOOD LUCK!
FREESTYLER
Well-Known Member
Just that once I have tacked him up.. he is rearing to go and then just to walk and to have to put him back in his box for another hour and a half he is going to get stressed...???
If I warm him up that early he is going to be pooped and flat...and curl! I suppose I am just panicking eh??!!!
I do not have a schedule and it is not on the web site and I have "mislaid" my copy of Dressage magazine with the schedule on it....doppy me.....
I do not have a schedule and it is not on the web site and I have "mislaid" my copy of Dressage magazine with the schedule on it....doppy me.....
mat
Well-Known Member
OOh I am so excited for you hun!! Definitely do the arena walk.
Good luck in advance!!!
Good luck in advance!!!
ferdi
Member
what day are you going? There is an arena walk on wednesday at 5 pm which i will be taking full advantage of!
JLav
Well-Known Member
Bananaman is right. The arena walk is 7-7.30am. If he's not spooky then don't bother if you feel it will make him worse to have to put him away afterwards and then come out again.
I didn't do the arena walk when I went as my horse wasn't really spooky at all however he was a bit put off by the sheer numbers of spectators in the grandstand which seemed to be only a few feet away from the arena edge!!
The arena walk wouldn't have helped much as obviously the crowds weren't there at 7am!
I didn't do the arena walk when I went as my horse wasn't really spooky at all however he was a bit put off by the sheer numbers of spectators in the grandstand which seemed to be only a few feet away from the arena edge!!
The arena walk wouldn't have helped much as obviously the crowds weren't there at 7am!
Bananaman
Well-Known Member
The only other thought I have had is to practise the arena walk!!!
What I mean is to tack him up and walk him round the arena for 15 mins and then put him away again and let him chill.
But as Jlav says, if you think it will make him worse.......then don't do it!
Does sound as if Nationalitis is fast setting in, but don't worry, it is completely normal!!!
What I mean is to tack him up and walk him round the arena for 15 mins and then put him away again and let him chill.
But as Jlav says, if you think it will make him worse.......then don't do it!
Does sound as if Nationalitis is fast setting in, but don't worry, it is completely normal!!!
Tempi
Well-Known Member
i never do arena walks - most of the ones ive watched one horse ends up going nuts, someone falls off and mayhem breaks out!!!
icestationzebra
Well-Known Member
Don't mean to be thick - but what is an arena walk?
FREESTYLER
Well-Known Member
I am going on Friday... and yes the Nationlitis is setting in... Help!!!
You know that means I am going to bombard you all until Friday when you will be free of me talking about my nerves, how my horse is not going well, how sick I feel... why do we do this???!!!
Arena Walk is where you are allowed to walk in the arena before the event, to show the horse the arena etc and hopefully chill em out..or is it to chill the rider out???!!!
Well, hopefully at 9.30am there will not be too many people watching??
Arena Walk is where you are allowed to walk in the arena before the event, to show the horse the arena etc and hopefully chill em out..or is it to chill the rider out???!!!
Well, hopefully at 9.30am there will not be too many people watching??
Weezy
Well-Known Member
I cannot believe how excited I am for you - I never get excited about dressage LOL! As for arena walks, I have no idea hehe, but I would say, if you think it won't suit your horse, then do not do it!
FREESTYLER
Well-Known Member
Thanks Weezy!!! You can get excited if you want!!! Even for Dressage!!!This is a bit of a dream come true for me.....hopefully Mister and I will do our best and see what happens...... I am going to go to bed early without a drop of liquer!!! Just probably 40 ciggies and a jar of coffee!!!
I do eat lettuce and have my 5 pieces of fruit a day though!!!
carthorse
Well-Known Member
I hope to be there at 9.30 watching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FREESTYLER
Well-Known Member
Oh great!!! Look forward to seeing you after!! I am just going to close my eyes my guide him around!!
Partoow
Well-Known Member
I agree with the problem you may have about being wound up. I had this problem and only usually work in the arena , which some venues especially abroad allow you to do. This is great because you get to actually 'work ' your horse and then occupy his[and your] brain!!! Just walking, when you have a 'hot' horse can be very frustrating and you end up sitting on an unexploded bomb.
One thing i used to do is work them quite well in the warmup arena and use the arena walk as a 'cool down'. In stressfull situations working in early and then doing a bit less later can acually be a good thing because you can work on any 'issues ' and then not have to worry about getting into the arena, you will have lots of people, ie stewards asking you for tack check. If this will up set you before the test it can be done on leaving the arena. Some horses do not take kindly to having their mouths fiddled with let alone the minute before you go in the arena!!.
Have a good work out in the evening in the warm up thats also good prep for the journey down to the arena and the chaos of working in!!!! Remember your left to left and that counter canter and lateral work have right of way!!!
You'll have a great time!! Go for it you have nothing to loose you have got there now. ENJOY!!!
One thing i used to do is work them quite well in the warmup arena and use the arena walk as a 'cool down'. In stressfull situations working in early and then doing a bit less later can acually be a good thing because you can work on any 'issues ' and then not have to worry about getting into the arena, you will have lots of people, ie stewards asking you for tack check. If this will up set you before the test it can be done on leaving the arena. Some horses do not take kindly to having their mouths fiddled with let alone the minute before you go in the arena!!.
Have a good work out in the evening in the warm up thats also good prep for the journey down to the arena and the chaos of working in!!!! Remember your left to left and that counter canter and lateral work have right of way!!!
You'll have a great time!! Go for it you have nothing to loose you have got there now. ENJOY!!!
Imonone
Well-Known Member
Dont forget that you have a routine that has been working well for you so far - now is not the time to change that!
You need to keep things as normal and low key for yourself and your horse. Im sure all will go well and I wish you all the best.
Its quite some achievement just to get there!!
You need to keep things as normal and low key for yourself and your horse. Im sure all will go well and I wish you all the best.
Its quite some achievement just to get there!!
FREESTYLER
Well-Known Member
Thankyou all!! I just wish it was Friday now so I did not have to wait!!!
I think I will assess the situation when I get him there. He is normally quite laid back at home, but when he goes away from home normally it takes a warm-up before he de-stresses, then he is relaxed, but I have to ensure that he does not get too pooped, as at Addington I overcooked him and he was flat.......all experience I suppose!!! Lets hope I get it right Saturday!!
I think I will assess the situation when I get him there. He is normally quite laid back at home, but when he goes away from home normally it takes a warm-up before he de-stresses, then he is relaxed, but I have to ensure that he does not get too pooped, as at Addington I overcooked him and he was flat.......all experience I suppose!!! Lets hope I get it right Saturday!!