Showjumping help please :( .. (also in competition riders but no response)

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GypsyGirl

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Hello everyone,

Im just wanting some advice really as my mare (Gypsy) is a really good jumper at home etc, and I am getting my confidence on her aswell as she is my first proper jumping horse that ive had after loosing my confidence about 5 or so years ago!

My only problem is that when I get into the showjumping ring my confidence just goes and I cant ride properly, I dont know what comes over me, and its like I cant control her and she will just run past the jump. She is strong and I am going to try her in a flash now aswell. And then everyone watching just laughs at me and it just knocks my confidence.

At home she is completly different and really trys with me, but in the clear rounds and main ring shes completly different. Im not sure what to do? Apantly at cross country shes really good and no problems at all. And I have taken her to Dressage at Hickstead and things before and done really well so its not stage fright haha or anything lol. Can anyone help to see if theres ways to boost my confidence? I do gridwork etc at home with her too.

Any advice welcome.
x
 
Can you hire out an arena full of jumps for a couple of schooling sessions? Jumping a full course is very different to jumping one or two in a school. If you can hire and get a good instructor or take a friend who will be supportive and not laugh at you then you can practice in a more similar scenario to when you are actually at a comp.
 
Yes I am planning on hiring somewhere out, just at the moment its hard to get people to come with me as it would mean taking a horse box and some of my friends arnt confident enough to jump yet so Id have to take Gypsy by myself which would mean her traveling by herself which shes not 100% on lol. I am also planning on hiring xc aswell to learn there. We have some xc jumps in our jumping field and she flys over them no problem. But then thats at home aswell.

Its a difficult one. I will have to keep asking. Thank you very much :)
 
Have sent you a PM, please don't be disheartened it happens to us all at some time. I'm sure people aren't laughing at you but I can fully understand why you would think they could be, it's your confidence that has been knocked & you feel self conscious. If you are in the South then I can highly recommend going to Hillside farm shows. They allow you to keep going until you get round. You don't get eliminated & it is invaluable in allowing the riders & horses to gain confidence. Keep at it and good luck, you WILL get there in the end :)
 
Are there any training nights at any of the centres near you. we have a few where an instructor stands in the middle and give you a bit of help with things like that. I think it would help your confidence. or perhaps an sj clinic.
Iam sure nobody is laughing at you.
 
I had a confidence issue not so long ago. In order to gain my confidence outside home, my instructor told me to forget what I was jumping at home when I went to training shows and drop the height. I felt that it might be a step backwards jumping smaller (and I was jumping with the kiddies which I didn't like), but she was totally right. Jumping smaller fences took all the pressure off and my nerves were way less. Due to that the horse and I had fun and I didn't transmit any negative vibes to her. Once I jumped the small courses a few times without incident, I felt ready to move up a bit. It takes time, just be patient and stick with what your comfortable with for now, don't push yourself.
Good luck! xx
 
Its happened to most of us from time to time. If it hasn't then it will! The only real way to sort this out is to get out there and practice. Hiring a local course for practice will help. But you need to get out in front of people in the show situation. Dropping down a height class or two will definitely help - it takes the pressure off both of you.

You could also try singing. You can't hold your breath when you're singing which stops you going so tense. My daughter still does use this in the ring from time to time (Don't tell her I told you!). Ned likes "Weigenleid" to calm him down and "Horseback rider" to fizz him up.

There are confident rider CDs and confidence courses but I haven't any personal experience of them.

You will get through this.
 
You need to take her out by herself - you say she doesn't like going out alone, well that may well be your problem, bonding in the lorry and then saying sod off at the show as she would prefer to be with her mates!
 
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