Showjumping today... still feel like I'm floating

madhector

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Took Jerry to NH for the unaffiliated RC SJ today. Entered him the 2'6 and the 2'9. He was as chilled and relaxed as he was last weekend
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Warmed up nicely, really soft and listening to me, took him in for the 2'6 he was very spooky of the doors (first time competing indoors) but settled well once he was in, he was totally freaked out by the tinsel and Christmas trees at the first fence and skidded to a halt, one touch with my leg and he leaped it from a standstill (flattening it in the process but not worried about that) he then jumped no. 2 beautifully. Spooked at no. 3 but still jumped and cleared it, no. 4 was very scary, and he came to a stop right in front of it, but again jumped quite happily from a standstill, and then jumped the second part really nicely. The next 2 were both fine, had to circle for the next one as just wasn't enough space, but finished well.

Took him in for the 2'9 and thought maybe he might struggle with the height as they were quite large compared to last week. I really shouldn't worry LOL

He was amazing, circled twice as again not enough space, and had a rail off through my bad riding
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but otherwise...WOW! He can seriously jump! I couldn't stop laughing afterwards as I had so much fun. Here is one example...

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Not great quality but you get the idea (will put the rest plus a video up in PG)

Anyway, I am not sure where to go from here, he didn't struggle with the height at all, just the turning, but he is so young still I am really not worried, very tempted to just get him out there and do some BN as seems silly doing anything smaller now.

What do you think?
 
Wow! Nice pic
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I'd def aim to do BN next time out- if theres somewhere that has, say, an 80cm unaff then BN that'd be ideal.
 
That's great! I think if he's still inclined to jump from a standstill when he sees something new do a couple more unaffiliated at heights he can clear from a standstill - you don't want him learning they fall down!
 
Well Done! I would do a couple more unaff until he gets used to it and you don't need to turn a circle. Such a shame it's all indoors now, you'd have been alright outside in a bigger ring.
 
Woohooo! TBH I would jump a few more unaff at low heights until you are not having to turn circles/jump from a standstill. I would be inclined to do lots of work on his canter and getting a true rhythm going, but height of BN won't be a prob by the looks of him! It is tough as you are stuck with the indoor season, so lack of room, but if you can nail it inside, then you will be in the ribbons once the outdoor season kicks off!
 
WOW! He can certainly jump. Clever Jerry. However, giving height is sign of inexperience and worry, so get him ouy at 2'9s a few more times until he is confident and slightly more relaxed about it all, the kick on
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Exciting horse to have!
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I think your right, he is so keen though it is easy to get ahead of myself. I have a couple of unafiliated comps planned anyway, so might as well do those and then go from there, plan to do a BN in the new year maybe. I keep thinking it might be best to get Ali to take him instead the first time, I really dont want to let him down.
 
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I keep thinking it might be best to get Ali to take him instead the first time, I really dont want to let him down.

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No, you are more than capable and he is YOUR horse, so you need to gel with him around a course, not Ali
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glad he was as chilled as he was last week! come down to the jays next weekend,that goes up to 3ft. think otto is even planning to put an appearance in!
was talking to andrea (jays owner ) and they are extending the arena by another 5 metres starting just before xmas i think richard said.
 
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That's great! I think if he's still inclined to jump from a standstill when he sees something new do a couple more unaffiliated at heights he can clear from a standstill - you don't want him learning they fall down!

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Good point!

Although he jumped the one he stopped at in the first round huge in the second there was no way he was going to touch it
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not sure,apparently they have had 32 tonne of sand put on it but with the mini eventer trial today it was like a bog. i think the arena is being extended so they can split it and have the warm up area next to the main arena.should be good for next year!
 
sounds good. I am dragging loads of people up next weekend, hopefully my friend will bring Fanta and then I can take her round the 3ft too (friend wont go higher than 2'3) just hope it isnt raining.

Think Spooks might like to do the first class...just need to find a small enough jockey
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Well done MH and Jerry, whoooooo he CAN fly
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MH, if he were mine I would be using flatwork to get him turning better/quicker. My horse was exactly the same, he couldn't bend his body around a circle and his neck was like a plank of wood but time and constant asking, even out hacking, for the tiniest of bend really really helps, he can now wang his head around and say hello to me
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And we can also make tight turns by practising 10 meter circles and 1/2 10 meter circles whilst schooling.
I would also just keep going out and doing 2'9" until he gets to the point where he is fluent and ready for the next stage.

Good Luck
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xx
 
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MH, if he were mine I would be using flatwork to get him turning better/quicker. My horse was exactly the same, he couldn't bend his body around a circle and his neck was like a plank of wood but time and constant asking, even out hacking, for the tiniest of bend really really helps, he can now wang his head around and say hello to me
smirk.gif
And we can also make tight turns by practising 10 meter circles and 1/2 10 meter circles whilst schooling.
I would also just keep going out and doing 2'9" until he gets to the point where he is fluent and ready for the next stage.

xx

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Completely agree, both times I had to circle where when he locked onto my left rein which he does sometimes on the flat (we are getting somewhere with it, but is a slow process) Also his canter does still need ALOT of work, but due to the c***ness of my surface at the moment cantering circles at home isn't helping him, so the more I can get him out and about on decent surfaces the better I think.
 
Well done - Id personally just do the BSJA warm up class next time out, simply because he still seems a bit spooky and obviously its harder to jump larger fences from a stand still. Id see how he went in that as to what to do next time.
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