not paying attention xcountry..

[BroadfordQueen]

i took my mare xcountry yesterday- just a clear round fun day thing. she was abit strong in the warm up but it didnt bother me much as i know she can get abit excited. i had to wait for ages in the collecting ring as my mum was stewarding the dressage and she wanted to watch me go round, so tara started to get impatient. anyway, eventually i could go, and as i left the collecting ring and to the start of the course she was looking at everything, from plants to a plastic cone- shes never usually like this! anyway, i got her into canter and she went abit better, but was really wobbily into the first fence, she kept looking at everything BUT the fence! anyway she got to the first fence which was only about 2"6ft and she noticed it and got really deep and lept over it- she did this for the next few fences. when she was heading home though she loved it and flew every fence really nicely. she isnt at all nappy at home/show jumping. she was also abit fussy of her bit- i had her on the second ring on a 3 ring gag. apparently her last owner hunted her in a pelham- do you think that would make much difference?
it was nice to know that she would jump a decent sized jump from a stand still, but i want to get her flowing more freely over the first few fences. how do you think i should go about this, and make her pay attention to me? i didnt have a stick/spurs- do you think they would help? i ride her in spurs to warm up for dressage so she is used to them, and apparently her old owner always wore them on her. any help much appreciated, as we have our first ODE next weekend (only 2"9ft though, she should be fine).

 

[carthorse]

If you can keep your legs in the correct position over a fence then by all means wear spurs but if you grip at all with your lower leg and turn your toes out then it would be unfair to wear them.
A whip should always be carried unless you are on a horse that is rally scared of them or you are on a saint

 

[Hattikins]

i think maybe it will just be a case of practice makes perfect. Its only the very start of the season so i expect after a couple of runs she will get the hang of things again and will be fine. Just get a strong forward going canter (if you can) and keep her moving from leg into hand (biggest mistake is to have no rein contact - ive learnt from experience

) I used to have a similar problem with Hattie is she is still babyish and used to wiggle and not go forward - now after a couple of runs XC this season she sets of with her mind on the job is a stong canter.

im sure you'll do fab in your ODE, just focus on the first fence and really ride for it

Maybe try her in the pelham at home and get a feel for it and then have it up your sleeve if she feels like she is getting to strong at any point

You and your Mum have loads of experience so im sure you'll find a happy medium