Our first BSJA since Jenny went lame - a bit of a mixed bag!

ann-jen

ann-jen

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We haven't been jumping for about 6 weeks because Jenny had an abscess in her foot and so I decided to head for the local intro show and do the 70cm and the 80cm and be a wimp instead of doing the BN. For some reason since Jenny has come back into work I can't see a stride to save my life and so I wanted to start back with something a bit more in my comfort zone.
Firstly we did the 70cm which she zipped round no problem and then did another lovely clear in the JO even though I put on a slightly dodgy stride into the double and she let me know it was my fault by stringing a trail of 3 bucks on at the end! I didn't do any tight turns so I was really shocked to find we had won because we were the only double clear.
We went in the 80cm next. The course had changed and there was quite an awkward line to the first fence - a parallel with a wall filler under it. She jumped huge over it and unseated me a bit but went clear again bless her. I was really nervous about the JO and drawn last. There were 2 clears so I thought I'd try to cut inside to make up time but Jen isn't quite balanced enough to turn tight at speed and we fluffed the turn and I ended up heading her deep into the fence and she couldn't jump it from where we ended up. But there were no other clears so we still ended up coming 3rd.
I feel a bit sad - I think Jenny jumped really well today but my riding was appalling and I just can't seem to see a stride since our little break so I guess its back to grids and placing poles this week to see if I can figure it out again. Still a first and a third isn't bad for our first outing! We are dressaging next week and then we might venture to Northallerton for the BN the week after - although it is always well up to height there so I'm going to have to put a bit of work in first!
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Sounds like a fab day to me!! Well done!! I'm sure you'll get your eye in again soon, it's probably just because you've had a break.
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Aww thank you. Its quite exciting as its the first time we've actually won any money SJ! Although I actually spent it entering the next class.
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Thanks. I think Jenny has benefited from having a little break even if it was because she was lame. My riding however has definitely not benefited...
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A tip that my trainer have me...if you can't see a stride, glance away from the jump & then back again & miraculously you can see one.

I've used this loads of times & it really helps, but I've got no idea why. Maybe it breaks the cycle of me sitting there frozen thinking, 'OMG, I can't see one, OMG OMG...whoops' ??
 
ann-jen, sounds pretty good if you haven't been out for ages.
i'm sure you've heard this before, but it's much more beneficial to concentrate on getting a good canter stride, and keeping it all the way to the fence, than to concentrate on "seeing a stride". if the canter's good, there is ALWAYS a good stride. honestly!
 
Catembi - thats actually quite interesting as I have this odd habit of looking at the next fence and then looking away and then back at it. I didn't even realise I did this until my instructor pointed it out and she thinks it should aid my "seeing a stride" if I stop doing it. It must be really ingrained into me as I find it really hard stopping myself looking away just as I'm about to turn the corner into the fence. I have to really concentrate not to do it! I will maybe have to let myself get away with it if I'm on a real dodgy one and see if it makes a difference.
Kerilli - I know you are absolutely right about the canter and Jenny is usually very forgiving of my errors and will usually go on a long one or chip a short one in (bless her) if I do get it wrong - today there was a beam of light falling on the jump which made it difficult for both of us to judge it properly and I just ended riding straight into the bottom of it. But yes I do need to work on the canter rhythm a lot more as we tend to get longer and faster the further round the course we go.
 
Well done!! Sounds like a brilliant day... dont worry too much about your riding, with time and practise it will all come back! I totally agree with Kerilli btw, get the canter and the rest will come. Incidentally, that is one of my problems - at least your GG is honest enough to try for you!!

Well done.
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Thanks. I think I need to give up work to concentrate on my riding - if only I could win the lottery! Have you had any more lessons with Di? I entered another competition in Your Horse to win a lesson with her - I doubt I could win twice but you never know... (Still haven't heard anything about RS as yet.
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