show stress..

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rubyroo92

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Took my showjumper to her first show in 7 months, she was pretty calm until she saw the other horses come in to warm up, we then span round waiting to go in backing up etc got into the ring to jump and she did the same again span round ran backwards, launched off all fours tried to canter off, I completely lost my nerve and said I can't do it.. Sooo mad at myself I had no idea what to do in that moment I totally forgot how to ride I felt so stupid and emotional any tips? ( I have owned her 6 months now) last time she competed was with her ex owner who hammered her into everything) thank you
 
Oh no Ruby, I share your anxiety. I took my horse to a show last week and nearly bottled an 18 inch course. I read your other thread and your horse is older so it sounds like something she has learnt. I suppose you have 2 options, get on her 5 mins before you need to go in the ring so there is not so much time for her to get quizzy or can you go somewhere again and not compete. Just go and show her all the sights and then come home again? We arrived very early at the show we went to, so sort of hacked around the showground for a bit and my horse was a lot calmer. What do you think would work best?
 
TE=PonyclubmumZ;12631033]Oh no Ruby, I share your anxiety. I took my horse to a show last week and nearly bottled an 18 inch course. I read your other thread and your horse is older so it sounds like something she has learnt. I suppose you have 2 options, get on her 5 mins before you need to go in the ring so there is not so much time for her to get quizzy or can you go somewhere again and not compete. Just go and show her all the sights and then come home again? We arrived very early at the show we went to, so sort of hacked around the showground for a bit and my horse was a lot calmer. What do you think would work best?[/QUOTE]

The man that runs the show said next time I can go round the course of jumps before anyone else arrives to see if it's the show atmosphere that winds her up not sure if this would work?
 
That sounds like a good idea, its a bit of pain but if you get up and get their early you could perhaps have a go at the clear round jumping before loads of people get there, just to get around and get your nerves settled. You could perhaps then decide whether to stay around for a bit or go home at that stage.

I bet other people on this forum have done something similar

Good luck!
 
"That sounds like a good idea, its a bit of pain but if you get up and get their early you could perhaps have a go at the clear round jumping before loads of people get there, just to get around and get your nerves settled. You could perhaps then decide whether to stay around for a bit or go home at that stage.

I bet other people on this forum have done something similar

Good luck! "


After quite a long break - several months - I took my horse out where there were about 12 horses in an outdoor arena. He proceeded to snort, squeal and leap and get so high I wondered if would lose his balance when he landed. This is a teenage horse that has gone to shows since a 2 year old. Everyone was standing round with their mouths open in disbelief because he has a reputation of being dozy and lazy. The only solution was to canter him round and round in circles until he wanted to stop! I have had to do this a few times, just work him through it, send him forward and concentrate on what I want to do, and not let him think about being silly. I know it is un-nerving and I know my horse and although he looks as though he is going to buck, he hasn't - yet.

So OP, can you practice a routine at home - small circles, figures of 8, keep your horse turning and changing direction and having to concentrate on what you want and not on how exciting it all is. Another idea is to ride at home first for a good amount of work (a young event horse producer told me that one) and always give her a lot of work the day before.
 
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