Sad Llanymynech report (90)

[digger2]

Not sure where to start really, other than what a lovely event and setting, i thought the ground was spot on with the recent rain.

Good points thought we did a nice accurate test bit disapointed with 39, warmed up super in sj and easy clear.

Then all down hill, admitedly we were held up at the start but had warmed up well and starter let me go off and pop another warm up where has seamed happy and fairly keen, eventually set off and from the box wasn't really travelling even to no 1 head up, not napping but just not happy so 1 was a surprise and scramble 2 was also a surprise as he was more concerned with the draggons, 3 ok, 4 scramble then double at 5 the second part narrower than first. Again not travelling happily not looking for the jump or locking on, had one stop, and then waited as next rider was approaching and didn't want to stop her, also thought if he saw one in front he might not be so worried, obviously kept well out of her way wasn't my intention to take a lead, anyway not even seeing another horsey did any good.

so that was us, because he jumped so well in the sj am sure its not a jumping or soreness problem, this is the 3rd event and he's gone worse each time rather than gaining confidence.

Very long drive home and a chat over a glass of wine, I've loved my foray into eventing but clearly my lad hasn't.

We've had loads of schooling jumped all different types of jumps height is not a problem but being out in the open on his own is.

So back to show jumping for us, and maybe think about looking for a schoolmaster loan horse.

Thanks for reading

 

[kerilli]

sounds like a real shame, unfortunately some horses just are not basically brave enough to enjoy the xc and it isn't fun trying to persuade them. since he obviously enjoys the sj i won't say the usual "check back, teeth, saddle, bloods, yadda yadda", i think you're making the right decision, he just doesn't want to be an event horse by the sounds of it.

best of luck finding one that will enjoy it with you!

 

[SpottedCat]

What a shame, but as K says, some just are not cut out for it

Better to decide that now than throw good money after bad trying to make the decision.

 

[Baileysmidmag]

O dear

at least Dr and SJ were good though

you could maybe go and do some xc schooling with a confident horse as a lead and get him more confident? A tough decision.

 

[KittyH]

This is really interesting as I have one a little bit similar. Did a 90cm PC ODE yesterday and my horse just doesn't like jumping over strange fences without a lead SJ or XC, and he doesn't even go forward between the jumps. Sometimes stops, but normally jumps, just from a crawl. With a lead he is fab, schooling over familiar fences he is fine, hunting he will give others a lead. On his own he is just so leary, looking at everything, including cars, spectators, strange plants etc! Yet if he gets overtaken, even if he can't see the horse in front he feels like such a machine. So frustrating, and neither of us find him being a dressage horse very fulfilling. Lovely horse at home, so I don't know what to do either.

 

[digger2]

Thanks folks, yes very frustrating, did feel just like he'd left all his confidence at home.

KittyH ditto the dressage fulfilment!!

But hey ho, we can still have fun sj where he is full of confidence, and keep my eye open for a "fun xc horse"

and we're both home in one piece so no harm there.