new to jumping

[welshies]

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

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Yes aim to get there 20 minutes at least before the start. Go and see if you need to enter or just pay when you go in and then walk the course. It is usually ready to walk at least 30 minutes before the start. It maybe worthwhile getyting there quite early as people are rarely ready on time and you could be warmed up and do the CR before anyone else is even started warming up.

 

[Befney3]

As Sarah_Jane says, get there nice & early, walk the course then get warmed up & round before you have time to start worrying.
I took my mad mare out a couple of weeks ago after about 3years of only competing Dressage (badly) & was in a right panic by the time I walked the course but once I was occupied it was o.k. Like you said if you get round & he's behaved it'll all be worth it. I got round my first round then had the fastest time in the jump off

with the first fence down

so wasn't placed but was so pleased with her!

Good luck