Remembering your course

MouseInLux

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 January 2014
Messages
341
Visit site
Years ago I completely forgot my jump off course and it has haunted me ever since! I can stand in the ring for ages running through the jumps and still start to panic when I'm waiting to go in. I swear I'm going to write my course down and carry i with me in the future. maybe that will help me feel better?
What do you guys do?
I have yet to forget another course, pulled off a great timed one this weekend and won the class but the remembering the course is the only thing that gets be really concerned before the class.
 
Everyone forgets once - I know it is easier said than done but try to put ti behind you. The fact that you forgot once means you won't let yourself forget again.

Everyone remembers in different ways - the trick is almost more one of forgetting the last class / jump off and remembering this one. Particularly if you have multiple horses across several classes.

There is usually a course plan pinned up somewhere near the judges box - read it first. Walk it. Stand in the ring and count it off using lots of arm waves because that activates different parts of memory. If you have time shut your eyes and visualize yourself riding the course in your head. (Don't get run over by the first competitor if they are quick!) Depending on where you are in the class watch the first few. Aim to finish your warm up in time to watch 3 riders before you go.

For jump offs - usually you will only have walked this before the class started or have just seen the plan. If you are lucky you can watch a few go. Otherwise steps 3 and 4 still apply. Stand somewhere safe and count off the round waving your arms about to show turns, whip changes etc. Shut your eyes and visualize it. Watch a couple if you can.
 
Top