vinnie
Well-Known Member
well today was my first show since August, since the Equine Influenza outbreak. The shows are now getting up and running FINALLY! i was so excited to get out there as i had done soooooooooooo much training over the break (over 20 lessons, all in 3-day bursts with a couple of days off in between) to get my horse to advanced level dressage.
Because we were so 'out of it' from the break we were late, missed my 1st two classes, managed to get into the open heavyweight galloway. i only had time to warm up for 5 min, and then straight in. My horse ALWAYS gets tense at a comp, mainnly because i lack self confidence and 'stop' riding. i thought i was doing pretty good today though.... then i got in the ring. around the ring, a bit of tenseness and rushing, but it soon went away. got called in second. good. then the workout. i walked off, trotted, lengthened down the long side where he saw the big wide showground and thought 'cya' and broke into canter and pretty much took off!!!!!!!!!!
i was so embarassed, i had to circle him about 4 times before i could get my 'advanced level' horse to stop! i didnt even finish the work out., let alone go in anymore classes. )(though i did work him after until he calmed down, but my riding was not what it is like at home).
Does anyone else have this problem? i know i do not have the right personality to compete, as i dont have that iron rod inside me which provides the resilience, and i stress a lot. I have considered just not competing, as it is not fun for me or the horse because all my hard work goes down the drain, but now i have just been chosen for the NSW State dressage squad, so i HAVE to compete!
what do i do? I NEED CONFIDENCE!!!!!!! desperately.
Because we were so 'out of it' from the break we were late, missed my 1st two classes, managed to get into the open heavyweight galloway. i only had time to warm up for 5 min, and then straight in. My horse ALWAYS gets tense at a comp, mainnly because i lack self confidence and 'stop' riding. i thought i was doing pretty good today though.... then i got in the ring. around the ring, a bit of tenseness and rushing, but it soon went away. got called in second. good. then the workout. i walked off, trotted, lengthened down the long side where he saw the big wide showground and thought 'cya' and broke into canter and pretty much took off!!!!!!!!!!
i was so embarassed, i had to circle him about 4 times before i could get my 'advanced level' horse to stop! i didnt even finish the work out., let alone go in anymore classes. )(though i did work him after until he calmed down, but my riding was not what it is like at home).
Does anyone else have this problem? i know i do not have the right personality to compete, as i dont have that iron rod inside me which provides the resilience, and i stress a lot. I have considered just not competing, as it is not fun for me or the horse because all my hard work goes down the drain, but now i have just been chosen for the NSW State dressage squad, so i HAVE to compete!
what do i do? I NEED CONFIDENCE!!!!!!! desperately.
