new to jumping (again)

[welshies]

sorry if you have already seen this post but know on in comp riders seems to want to answer me:
Feel really thick asking this but i am new to jumping (always done driving and showing). Started jumping my boy last year at home and we are hopfully (if i don't chicken out!) to our first 'away from home' jumping session tomorrow (apart from a few xctry jumps we did a couple of weeks ago at fun ride). It's day time senior jumping with 2'6 clear roung to start then classes to follow. I was planning on just doing the clear round, we are jumping 3' plus at home. I'm under no illusion we are going to do a perfect round and will prob trot most of it, but it's only practise and as long as we get round and he behaves i will be happy (he's never been to this venue either and he finds life very exciting!). But my silly question is what the hell do i do when i get there? Do i walk the course? etc etc I feel like a right fool not knowing and just want to get it right, as much as everyone keeps telling me it'll be fine no one cares, but i'm sorry that is rubbish, everyone looks and judges and if they think they are beter than you make you feel like even more of a fool!!! Anyway, hope you got that! thanks

 

[Morrigan_Lady]

The first thing I do when I get to a comp is go to the secretary and get my entries in, then head for the loo!

It depends on how many entries there are, but I usually get my horse warmed up b4 I walk the course, but best thing to do is just keep an eye out for others walking the course.
Hope that helps and good luck.

 

[ballvicki]

I had my first show on Sunday and had exactly the same concerns as you!

What I did when I got there (and being new to this showjumping mallarky I can't vouch this is right!) was go and get my number. Then (horse still in trailer), they announced that we could walk the course, so I did. Then I panicked a bit. Then I went and put my number on the board. There were about 40 other people in my class - I put my number down as no. 28 to go I think. I figured that it was roughly 2 mins for each person to go round, so I had roughly 55 minutes. That gave me 10 minutes to watch the first lot go round (my theory was that it would help me remember the course), 25 minutes to get out of my jeans and try and look remotely smart and tack up, 25 mins to warm up.

I hope this helps in some way - the very best of luck - you will probably have the best time - I know I did in the end despite being incredibly nervous!