Positive Vibes needed - 1st proper show

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BethH

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Am suddenly feeling very nervous, my little horse has his 1st show on Sunday, only pre-lim dressage but I am feeling a bit anxious.

He is a late developer having had kissing spine surgery last year, we have just got him going well, booked him in to go to show and now he is riding horribly, either x-tra fast or x-tra slow with attitude in the middle and completely ignoring my seat!

I called for my times yesterday having picked the show as the test is in an outdoor sandschool just like at home but because of the rain yesterday it has all been moved inside and he has never been in an indoor arena.

The only time I tried him at a show was 3 yrs ago when he was in pain but we didn't understand what was wrong, he nearly flattened the judges car and a family and I haven't really been out since apart from a couple of dry runs to my instructors yard!

I'm most worried about him getting very anxious and bargy and spooking for England when I go in to do my test, I can already feel my arms locking up just thinking about it - I think the problem is due to past experience, I get more anxious first and then he takes my lead!!!!!

Any advice gratefully received apart from taking valium!
 
Sending possitive vibes to you!! I took one of my boys to college to join in a lesson - he had never been in an indoor arena before and was absolutely fine (this was my main worry) - can you try a schooling session with the white boards down as this was what unnerved him at first. As for nerves, try a little rescue remedy for yourself beforehand (or half a bottle of gin!!) and remember to breathe (when I get nervous I hold my breath and stiffen up) Also go in with a vision of doing really really well and the confidence will be felt by Ryan too!!

Fingers, toes and hooves crossed for you
grin.gif
 
good luck...you'll be fine...have fun. I took my horse to his first ever competition the other day and had a really nice relaxed day. Didnt worry too much about the performance, just had fun. If its not raining then thats a bonus in itself!!!
 
Good luck! Don't put too much pressure on yourself. If he gets really upset then just retire and have a walk around the arena, I'm sure at an unaff show the judge should hopefully be quite understanding, maybe have a word before you start and say that if he gets stressed you'll prob retire. Try to make it a relaxing outing for him and try to enjoy it. There are plenty more shows to go to if tomorrow isn't great, and at least you've made a start and should go home with things to work on. All the best!!!
 
Thank you all, I think breathing is a good thing to try - how right you are - I definitely forget to do that when he starts playing up! I also think if he gets really stressed I can just retire him, never thought of that, daft tho it sounds!

I think I will just be delighted if he does the test calmly and we get home in one piece, will let you know how we get on, think the judge will give us plenty to work on, could be busy for the next few years!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Wishing you the very best of luck!! Plenty of resuce remedy for both of you will help lots.
Hopefully he will have matured and grown up a lot since the last show!
 
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