ecrozier
Well-Known Member
Well we had a bit of a notable occasion last weekend and as you guys have had posts from the very beginning of roo's ridden career I thought I would share 
Having foolishly joined BS for the first time (his and mine) at the beginning of the indoor season we had a couple of disappointing outings to Bca and addington both times getting eliminated after two stops at fences up against arena wall. Went away and practiced this a bit and it's seems that it's a bit of a genuine worry for him - he's usually ever so willing and not generally a spooky horse but he definately worries about fences where wings are against walls, so we decided to step it back a bit height wise so if needed we could trot. Also I think I have been lacking in confidence a lot over the affiliated tracks, I know he can jump the height in his sleep but when I get nervous I put pressure on myself and completely fail to ride, leaving my poor green 5 year old to get me round by himself!*
So took him to patchetts to jump 70 and 80cm classes on Saturday. Had in my head that it was simply a training round, to ride every stride and keep breathing!*
Popped mister J on the lorry as well and took him in first in the 70cm - considering he hasn't jumped a round of sj since probably August, he was great
and went clear and pretty quick! Then swapped over and took roo in. It's pretty tight in there and we certainly haven't mastered always landing on correct lead but with the lack of space I opted to just ride forward, balance him as best i could, and let him sort his legs out a couple of times, and came out very very pleased with a clear!*
Had a little break, and by this time the venue was getting a little busier (50 or so in a class!) so decided to just take Roo back in early in the 80cm, and aim to ride a quiet round again, breathing and concentrating being the main objectives! It wasn't always pretty, but hey, we made it, and double clear again! Absolutely chuffed to bits and could have cried.*
Decided was worth quitting whilst ahead and packed up and went home, only to find out when results went up on web that in the first class J was second Roo fifth, and in the second class Roo only went and won it! Can't believe we didn't wait - but we jumped 4th of 50 or so in class so would have been hours! And I assumed we would be way too slow as took wide lines everywhere! Anyway, they are keeping my rosettes for me and I bought a couple of Facebook images, to commemorate roo's first win at sj
Have to say at one point we were warming up and popped the oxer, to be faced with several other horses milling around the end of the warm up, and instead of careening into them as we would have 6 months ago (actually 6 months ago I wouldn't have braved a busy warm up at all I don't think!) I steadied him up and steered round/between them in canter! That was almost as proud a moment as jumping clear! Honest can't believe how proud I am of this boy - he's still not jumped a single fence with anyone on him apart from me, and can count the number of other people who even have sat on him on one hand. Thank god he is such a genuine soul eh?!
So armed with the mantra of 'ride every stride and BREATHE' we are off to BCA to attempt British novice again - with a RC clinic on sat where I may ask to focus on doubles just in case there is one by the wall on Sunday!*
Realise the jump looks tiny - only 10cm smaller than British novice though!*
Having foolishly joined BS for the first time (his and mine) at the beginning of the indoor season we had a couple of disappointing outings to Bca and addington both times getting eliminated after two stops at fences up against arena wall. Went away and practiced this a bit and it's seems that it's a bit of a genuine worry for him - he's usually ever so willing and not generally a spooky horse but he definately worries about fences where wings are against walls, so we decided to step it back a bit height wise so if needed we could trot. Also I think I have been lacking in confidence a lot over the affiliated tracks, I know he can jump the height in his sleep but when I get nervous I put pressure on myself and completely fail to ride, leaving my poor green 5 year old to get me round by himself!*
So took him to patchetts to jump 70 and 80cm classes on Saturday. Had in my head that it was simply a training round, to ride every stride and keep breathing!*
Popped mister J on the lorry as well and took him in first in the 70cm - considering he hasn't jumped a round of sj since probably August, he was great
and went clear and pretty quick! Then swapped over and took roo in. It's pretty tight in there and we certainly haven't mastered always landing on correct lead but with the lack of space I opted to just ride forward, balance him as best i could, and let him sort his legs out a couple of times, and came out very very pleased with a clear!*Had a little break, and by this time the venue was getting a little busier (50 or so in a class!) so decided to just take Roo back in early in the 80cm, and aim to ride a quiet round again, breathing and concentrating being the main objectives! It wasn't always pretty, but hey, we made it, and double clear again! Absolutely chuffed to bits and could have cried.*
Decided was worth quitting whilst ahead and packed up and went home, only to find out when results went up on web that in the first class J was second Roo fifth, and in the second class Roo only went and won it! Can't believe we didn't wait - but we jumped 4th of 50 or so in class so would have been hours! And I assumed we would be way too slow as took wide lines everywhere! Anyway, they are keeping my rosettes for me and I bought a couple of Facebook images, to commemorate roo's first win at sj
Have to say at one point we were warming up and popped the oxer, to be faced with several other horses milling around the end of the warm up, and instead of careening into them as we would have 6 months ago (actually 6 months ago I wouldn't have braved a busy warm up at all I don't think!) I steadied him up and steered round/between them in canter! That was almost as proud a moment as jumping clear! Honest can't believe how proud I am of this boy - he's still not jumped a single fence with anyone on him apart from me, and can count the number of other people who even have sat on him on one hand. Thank god he is such a genuine soul eh?!
So armed with the mantra of 'ride every stride and BREATHE' we are off to BCA to attempt British novice again - with a RC clinic on sat where I may ask to focus on doubles just in case there is one by the wall on Sunday!*
Realise the jump looks tiny - only 10cm smaller than British novice though!*
Can completely relate to putting pressure on yourself and your brain going to mush. Onwards and upwards for you both now, 
if it goes pear shaped again on Sunday though we have a RC indoor sj in mid jan I can do smaller class for and patchetts have an intro day late jan I can do 80 then 90 at so we have a back up plan!