Really Need Help from people that compete!

[DreamerII]

Ok I'm in a predicament and could really do with some help from people on here....hence the post!

I loan a 13.3hh reg NF and he jumps about 2ft really well. I'd really like to compete on him (only at small local level) but every time he's been at a ridden show he just runs away and hates the whole time! He's not strong, but I just can't get him to be shown under saddle (we show in-hand and that goes fine).

I'm not fussed about jumping, but just to be able to do ANY type of ridden showing would be fantastic! He's going to be 17 in April and I was just wondering if it's too late for him...I'd really like to show him in M&M classes, as well as possibly in coloured classes (the ones that accept Palis anyhow) and maybe even in Vetran! Jumping would be good because that's my passion...but I'd just like to get the showing under saddle thing sorted and if it means losing the jumping then I will!!

Also a friend has said that she's going to be hiring a XC course soon and has invited me...but I know he'll just run round in circles and hate it (I haven't done ANY XC before at all so I'd be new to it). I'd really like to go but I don't think I can this time because I'm not convinced he'll be ok at it!

I should mention he is fine being SJ and ridden showing at home (which isn't very often but we have done), it's just when we are in unfamiliar places!

Any help on how/if I can do anything to help my boy is much appreciated!

 

[Baggybreeches]

Without seeing what he does its difficult to say. My old mare gets really stressed at shows (there is the odd one that she's ok at) so now I tend not to bother! I just think some horses don't enjoy it. Its not such a big problem for me as I have 2 others that love going out.

 

[dianchi]

No way you can go to shows and just wander him round and show him there is nothing to be scared of?

 

[Would_I]

Calmer?!

 

[kombikids]

american equine so kalm, making sure you arent tense so he can feel and take a friend for him and you along, but dont enter anything, just do most in hand then have a little ride there. if there are any shows you can hack to that might help. good luck dont give up!

 

[DreamerII]

Thanks everyone! I was worried that I was going to have to give up completely but I really don't want to have to!

Might give calmer a go but never used it before so will have to ask YO if it is ok as I loan him from her!

Do you think a calming thing for me might help? I tend to get tense at shows which could of course make him worse!

We don't have ANY transport so we hack there and back to all our local shows! Maybe I should show him in hand and then, before we hack him just walk him round for a bit with someone walking besides him on the ground (and a horsey friend for company too)....just get him used to the atmosphere more?