jenbleep
Well-Known Member
Good morning, I did write this all out in CR but it seems no one would like to comment! Although it is a report there are a couple of questions in there so bear with me 
It was on Sunday and we entered for the open novice (only 2ft6) because we haven't had any xc practice since April, and even then that was the first time since Summer 2009! I have never been round the xc course at this venue (for Cornish people it was Chyverton Park) so to say I was a little apprehensive was an understatement! I just tried to stay positive for Charisma because at the end of the day I just wanted us to gain confidence across solid jumps. Walked the course Saturday and all the jumps seemed fine until I walked down a hill and then a sharp right to some humongous steps!! Ok they weren't that big but I have never jumped down steps (only banks) and when I saw them I actually felt a bit sick in my stomach :O and my friend who is acting coach even was a bit speechless, lol!
Anyway so I will start:
Dressage: Warmed up nicely, I made sure she was sharp off my leg aids because (I'm sure you have read some of my post before) Charisma is very laid back and can be soo lazy. I wore spurs, but after my post a couple of weeks ago re: spur marks I have been making sure that I use my leg correctly and don't bring my heel up, but instead use my calf. I only really needed to use the spurs as a reminder (I have been schooling her loads for this test!) So she felt much more responsive then she has in the past. In the test she was lovely, came down the centre line nice and straight but a bit wobbly coming off the centre line and again at the end of the test as we came down the centre line. Her trot had a lovely rhythm all throughout the test and even canter was not all bad! (our worst pace!) but again a bit wobbly in the canter circles, and she did slip once. (No studs). Felt really happy coming out of the test only for the judge to get out (!!!) and say that unfortunately she would have to "heavily penalise me" because I clicked my tongue throughout the test!! I know that's against the law but I didn't even realise I was doing it! Saying that we still got 37 and that's with penalties so not all bad Not got my test sheet back because they weren't ready, but I will send off for it.
Showjumping: Walked the course for sj and was a bit worried about the ground - it was in an outdoor school and it was very deep going, I could barely walk in it! Anyway got on to warm up with no spurs this time and again seh felt very...blah. Nothing there, but she did perk up a bit when she started jumping Although she did get in very deep to a couple which worried me a bit, and my 'coach' didn't look too happy either! Went in a few minutes later and it was like I was riding a different horse Put my leg on and nothing, gave her a tap and nothing I don't know what went wrong. We came to the first fence and she felt like she was going to jump from a standstill, which she pretty much did for the whole course! Jumped them fine, no poles down but I did have to circle in front of one fence because I lost my stirrup after she flung me over a parallel, and I didn't fancy being flung over the next jump with no stirrup. Like I said jumped everything fine, no question about that but I couldn't quite believe how sluggish she was? And her owner videoed my round and I could even hear them "Come on Jenny, give her a smack what is wrong with her?" I came out the ring and was quite upset, but my friend seemed to think that the going had something to do with it. What do you think, does deep going affect your horse in this way?
Anyway I was pleased that she didn't knock any and only came away with 4 faults due to me.
XC - I was rather nervous going xc after the slug sj, but I needed have worried Warmed up lovely and I have to say I found it sooo exciting (not scary!!) waiting for the timer in the start box! I thought 'this is it' Charisma and although we set off at a reasonable canter I gave her a kick to get her motivated First three fences were fine, got in a little close but soared over them! Had an unlucky stop at the fourth, it was a green wooden box with white splashed paint over the top and had to be jumped downhill. To be honest it was probably me that wasn't 100%, going downhill has never been a favourite! Jumped it fine the 2nd time and galloped on down the hill to the...steps! I was like 'right come on' and C slid down the first one, I said no that's not how we do it, so she stepped down the next one then jumped off the last one! I was so so happy and galloped on down the hill with the biggest grin. Steadied her up for the sunken road, tentatively stepped down into it but jumped out the other side fine. Now the lake, trotted through with nice high knees and hocks and jumped out, albeit leaving me a bit behind :-/ Nice gallop to the half coffin - I was a little worried about the ditch but I needed have worried Two steps up were next and were fine, then a huge steep hill through the woods. We really went for it up here, thing is I forgot that near the top there was a *very* sharp turn to the left so hand brake turn
Out of the woods over two simple logs, then the trakener. Had a look, but I gave her a squeeze and she flew over it. Next question was two simple 'viaducts', but jumped on a angle. She thought about running out to the right but I stopped her, and in the end she pretty much walked over it (!!!) and gingerly jumped the second part. Next was round a tree too quite a substantial corner, which she run out and I was not that happy about! So instead of fighting for now I turned her to the alternative which she jumped fine. Gallop down the hill to the last three fences, which she did get in deep too but otherwise jumped lovely. Then I heard a shout, turned around only to see a girl on a super fast pony want to overtake me. I circled and let her go, but my friend said I shouldn't have done that but kept on going. What do you think?
Finished the course with the biggest smile Charisma was wet but not even blowing, so she is lovely and fit Lots of pats and hugs for C
What would you suggest for someone like me who finds we get in deep to fences, only to jump them with an almighty leap? I think maybe this will improve the more we do, because she is green when it comes to xc (so am I!) and perhaps I subconsciously hooked her into the fences, but not enough leg??? Hmmm.
Anyway thank you for reading and here is a sweating after xc photo - please note, I am aware that her noseband is slightly loose and this won't happen again!
Thank you all for reading xxx
It was on Sunday and we entered for the open novice (only 2ft6) because we haven't had any xc practice since April, and even then that was the first time since Summer 2009! I have never been round the xc course at this venue (for Cornish people it was Chyverton Park) so to say I was a little apprehensive was an understatement! I just tried to stay positive for Charisma because at the end of the day I just wanted us to gain confidence across solid jumps. Walked the course Saturday and all the jumps seemed fine until I walked down a hill and then a sharp right to some humongous steps!! Ok they weren't that big but I have never jumped down steps (only banks) and when I saw them I actually felt a bit sick in my stomach :O and my friend who is acting coach even was a bit speechless, lol!
Anyway so I will start:
Dressage: Warmed up nicely, I made sure she was sharp off my leg aids because (I'm sure you have read some of my post before) Charisma is very laid back and can be soo lazy. I wore spurs, but after my post a couple of weeks ago re: spur marks I have been making sure that I use my leg correctly and don't bring my heel up, but instead use my calf. I only really needed to use the spurs as a reminder (I have been schooling her loads for this test!) So she felt much more responsive then she has in the past. In the test she was lovely, came down the centre line nice and straight but a bit wobbly coming off the centre line and again at the end of the test as we came down the centre line. Her trot had a lovely rhythm all throughout the test and even canter was not all bad! (our worst pace!) but again a bit wobbly in the canter circles, and she did slip once. (No studs). Felt really happy coming out of the test only for the judge to get out (!!!) and say that unfortunately she would have to "heavily penalise me" because I clicked my tongue throughout the test!! I know that's against the law but I didn't even realise I was doing it! Saying that we still got 37 and that's with penalties so not all bad Not got my test sheet back because they weren't ready, but I will send off for it.
Showjumping: Walked the course for sj and was a bit worried about the ground - it was in an outdoor school and it was very deep going, I could barely walk in it! Anyway got on to warm up with no spurs this time and again seh felt very...blah. Nothing there, but she did perk up a bit when she started jumping Although she did get in very deep to a couple which worried me a bit, and my 'coach' didn't look too happy either! Went in a few minutes later and it was like I was riding a different horse Put my leg on and nothing, gave her a tap and nothing I don't know what went wrong. We came to the first fence and she felt like she was going to jump from a standstill, which she pretty much did for the whole course! Jumped them fine, no poles down but I did have to circle in front of one fence because I lost my stirrup after she flung me over a parallel, and I didn't fancy being flung over the next jump with no stirrup. Like I said jumped everything fine, no question about that but I couldn't quite believe how sluggish she was? And her owner videoed my round and I could even hear them "Come on Jenny, give her a smack what is wrong with her?" I came out the ring and was quite upset, but my friend seemed to think that the going had something to do with it. What do you think, does deep going affect your horse in this way?
Anyway I was pleased that she didn't knock any and only came away with 4 faults due to me.
XC - I was rather nervous going xc after the slug sj, but I needed have worried Warmed up lovely and I have to say I found it sooo exciting (not scary!!) waiting for the timer in the start box! I thought 'this is it' Charisma and although we set off at a reasonable canter I gave her a kick to get her motivated First three fences were fine, got in a little close but soared over them! Had an unlucky stop at the fourth, it was a green wooden box with white splashed paint over the top and had to be jumped downhill. To be honest it was probably me that wasn't 100%, going downhill has never been a favourite! Jumped it fine the 2nd time and galloped on down the hill to the...steps! I was like 'right come on' and C slid down the first one, I said no that's not how we do it, so she stepped down the next one then jumped off the last one! I was so so happy and galloped on down the hill with the biggest grin. Steadied her up for the sunken road, tentatively stepped down into it but jumped out the other side fine. Now the lake, trotted through with nice high knees and hocks and jumped out, albeit leaving me a bit behind :-/ Nice gallop to the half coffin - I was a little worried about the ditch but I needed have worried Two steps up were next and were fine, then a huge steep hill through the woods. We really went for it up here, thing is I forgot that near the top there was a *very* sharp turn to the left so hand brake turn
Out of the woods over two simple logs, then the trakener. Had a look, but I gave her a squeeze and she flew over it. Next question was two simple 'viaducts', but jumped on a angle. She thought about running out to the right but I stopped her, and in the end she pretty much walked over it (!!!) and gingerly jumped the second part. Next was round a tree too quite a substantial corner, which she run out and I was not that happy about! So instead of fighting for now I turned her to the alternative which she jumped fine. Gallop down the hill to the last three fences, which she did get in deep too but otherwise jumped lovely. Then I heard a shout, turned around only to see a girl on a super fast pony want to overtake me. I circled and let her go, but my friend said I shouldn't have done that but kept on going. What do you think?
Finished the course with the biggest smile Charisma was wet but not even blowing, so she is lovely and fit Lots of pats and hugs for C
What would you suggest for someone like me who finds we get in deep to fences, only to jump them with an almighty leap? I think maybe this will improve the more we do, because she is green when it comes to xc (so am I!) and perhaps I subconsciously hooked her into the fences, but not enough leg??? Hmmm.
Anyway thank you for reading and here is a sweating after xc photo - please note, I am aware that her noseband is slightly loose and this won't happen again!
Thank you all for reading xxx
) but need to put plenty of work in beforehand.
