Showjumping report - Ride and Relax Challenge

madhector

madhector

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www.darlingdressage.co.uk
Well, probably had the longest day ever.

Went to NH for the Ride and Relax challenge, first off I was jumping a client's horse for her. It was his first ever outing and first time over more than 2 fences. Took him in the clear round and he jumped round twice quite happily, so then took him in the 2'3 and he panicked, had a few stops but got round OK, asked to take him in again H/C and he was perfect, just clipped the lat rail, so was really pleased with him, think he will be a nice fun one to jump this summer.

Saw FranA and Digby, who was very good again, will let her fill you in
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(was tempted to do a swap - Jerry for Digby, sure she wouldn't have noticed
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)

Went home and collected Jerry, had entered him in the 2'9 and 3'1 gave myself plenty of time to warm him up and he was lovely, really light and responsive, had him back in the snaffle and jumping wise it seemed to be working.....till we went in

He then went back to head in the air, demolishing jumps mode. By the last double he was listening better, but came out feeling very demoralised.

Warmed up for the 3'1 and spent ages perfecting the approach, went in and halted him half way round as he was getting stupid, but he did go better with the jumps a bit bigger, asked if I could take him in again H/C as didn't really want to wait til the 3'3 and wasn't happy enough to finish there. He was much better again, but still argued, and demolished the last 2, leaving me very annoyed. Asked if there was any chance I could stay and school round the jumps after but no luck, so took him back in the warm up till he did one perfect jump then came home.

My ankle is now completely useless, I feel like I have run a marathon, and J was still raring to go at the end!

Not sure I achieved anything, or where we go from here, will upload the videos later for you lot to see what went wrong.

Thanks for reading, if you got this far you deserve a strong drink, I know I'm having one
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Is he really demolishing the jumps, or just clipping off top poles. Do you do lots of grids, jumps with A poles etc. Feel free to ignore me if I'm being stupid, I.m not an SJ expert by any means, but do have a TB whose technique was definitely improved by gridwork.

Well done though - jumping with a busted ankle can't be much fun, and look on the bright side - he seems to improve when the fences go up (which is what you were hoping)!

Fiona
 
Decided he isnt actually careless, just when , he gets it wrong the jumps get demolished, when he listened and got the approach right he cleared them easily, just need to get him over this head in the air/fight mode as this is when things go wrong
 
Is he better when he is tired, or does he get worse? You could try lunging him at home before you put him on the lorry.

Please be careful with your leg
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Is he better or worse if he hasn't jumped for a while. ie if it is just pure excitement, have you tried jumping every day (just at the end of a session for 10 min) to see if he gets bored with rushing.
Also - why does he throw his head up - is it off certain turns, or when you try and check him, or certain jumps. Is there a pattern??

Look forward to seeing videos.

Fiona
 
I hope you are not over doing it on that leg ,it does sound like you might be.You push yourself so hard.You need time for just you and your horse ,that is enough,it sounds like you have been rushing round and that leg is still weak and its not just the bones ,it is the ligaments around a break that have trauma as well.
I am looking forward to the video ,you will get there you have plenty of time,
I have a daughter who also thinks everything has to be done today and funnily enough when she takes her time ,things start to go right.
I mean this with care and concern, you will get there
 
I'll probably get yelled at for suggesting this but what about a Standing Martingale? My sisters youngster sounds a bit like Jerry, he had no lack of scope, but insisted on sticking his head in the air and arguing when he thought he knew best. He's been jumped in a standing a few times and is now a different horse - it just broke the habit.
 
tbh he doesnt seem to get tired, I tried to wear him out today but failed, he felt no different at the end thna to how he was straight off the trailer. He is much calmer though now he is out at night, he wasnt silly at all today (as in no napping, bucking or spooking) He felt sharp, but ridable.
 
well done it does sound like an improvement, and at least you were ok with the bit which sounds good
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shall look at the vids when i get time, and of course do ur videos, and wirte my own report.
I probably wont get the chance until later on.
xx
 
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