So you think you had a bad weekend (vid!)

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Switchthehorse

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.. check out the last four months with my girl!! The first four months of our (non) competitive jumping career

I have posted a couple of times about my problems jumping away from home, she is fab at home and can clear 1m+ with ease, but take her to a show different story!! I was bored last night and so made a comedy montage of our past 4 months competing for your entertainment :)

She isn't in pain, has had everything checked, I have regular lessons etc. You are welcome to provide cc if you want to, i know my position is terrible, my legs fly backwards etc etc but she is beautiful isn't she :) even if she is intent on embarrassing me EVERY ruddy weekend!!

So don't panic, someone out there had a worse weekend than you!! ONE DAY i will get a clear round and beat those ruddy kids on point and shoot ponies!!! :)

Anyway here is the link, the last fence we weren't supposed to be jumping so we were eliminated!!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2VzzTxoUw4
 
Can I just say that I admire your persaverance and in the last shot bless you still had a smile on your faces.

I have a friend with just the same problem and she after 4 years has just given up she decided that the mare just didnt like the show atmophere and got a sort of horse stage fright so no longer tries. But full marks to you for keeping going.
 
Ahhh, poor you, well done for sticking with it and not giving up. She looks a proper mare to me - full-on tantrums!! Hope you get her sorted - you deserve to for such perseverance - good luck.
 
Just had a quick watch, she is beautiful. Well done for your perserverence!!
Does she do that at home when jumping?
She tends to go to the right more than left you carry your whip in that hand so are obviously aware of it, maybe a quick tap on her shoulder as you come to the fence may help.
At home do you practice with guide poles so she is jumpiong straight into centre at home?
Is it only ever at shows she does a course?
If you are positie theres nothing physically wrong/causing her pain inc saddle bit etc then she does look to me to be taking the mick a bit in some photos. The only one which is odd for no pain is when she tries to take out the guy standing by the jump, majority of horses will do anythign to avoid a person but she didnt care....that would concern me a bit.
As for your position be more defensive, be if anything behind her movement slightly so you are able to boot her on/smack as soon as you feel her start to dip out, learn to find the sign shes going to do it, it may be minute a change in feel under saddle or ducking behind the contact? so you can react in that split second and get her over the jump.
P.s She does have a cracking jump!
 
Fantastic post! :D You've made my day - I thought I was the only adult doing this kind of thing in jumping classes lol! I think you're doing a great job and your position is absolutely fine! I would have shot into the air with those massive cat leaps! Good luck at your future shows - I will be cheering you on :)
 
hi

she is a little unpredicatable!
a question when you take out on parties is it always to a show? i only ask because i think she would benifit for more low key outings? maybe hire an arena with jumps with a couple of others and school or take her for lessons at other arenas other than you own. looking at the clips i think part of it is she is out of her comfort area and on top of that you are now sort of expecting something to happen. take the pressure out of these outings and i think this will improve.
 
Just one thing from watching that video, when she gets going, she goes really nicely, like over a double, or on a straight line between 2 fences. Its once she has done this, that you appear to lose control slightly, and thats when all seems to go pear shaped. Im not one to jump to stronger bits, but I think you need to try something else with her, she looks like she needs a tad more control between the fences.

I dont want to be critcal, and sorry if its not the case, or you are changing things, and shes still beeing a moose. She is a gorgeous girl though!!

bexcy-bee x
 
I know I shouldn't laugh but, hehehe! I think you ride her very well, and you can see she definitely has plenty of pop when she does decide to jump!

Just wondering if something we used to do might help you - we used to have a neurotic gelding with a similar problem (though not jumping but dressage) and the way we helped it (didn't cure but definitely improved the situation) was to have mock shows at home. We'd invite round all our friends with horses and get them to 'warm up' somewhere with us, then we'd go off into a seperate little space and do a 'test' watched by a few other friends... because it was at home he gradually settled into the whole idea of working with others around. Then - and this will sound weird, but it did work - we used to stick him in the box and drive him around for increasing periods of time before we came home to a mock show, and then trailer him to spots for really chilled hacks. That way he got used to the idea of being settled after travelling, instead of travelling always being associated with stressful shows. It wasn't that he was a bad loader/traveller, it was just that whenever he came off the trailer he immediately went into backwards neurosis mode. :rolleyes: Anyways once we'd done all that for a few months he went on to get better at shows. Was never as good as he was at home sadly, but much improved and still won a few things :)
 
Oops! Great video though :)

But as you say, she is a beautiful girl!
I watched your other video and it looks to me as if she is trying to run to the gate, she refuses, and you let her hop over there and get her own way (I know it's hard)

She's also cool with jumping most of the jumps then she is going towards the gate, but seems to have issues with some of the ones going away.

I'm not sure how you would sort this out, maybe it's a confidence issue on her part, you could always try doing an Xpole class (I know, I know...) but then you can really concentrate on getting her around the whole thing and stopping her from running to the gate, instead of her leaps :p

You do well to ride her :)

A bit eep when she run over the person though, my horse is like that too, he won't actually bother to dodge people..
 
Lovely horse - little minx though. Must say beautiful riding - you have a great seat and 10/10 for you cal and cool manner and perserverence.
You will get there with her - looks to me lile a battle of wills and you are not giving up. I bet it's draining, but well done I think you are doing the right thing. Give her the easy path - to jump and if she doesn't she has to circle and still do the jump. The penny will drop sooner or later! Good Luck! :)
 
Lovely looking mare and she obviously has great ability to jump. I agree that maybe even jump smaller so she can literally step over them (atleast at shows) just for now to encourage her. Please dont think im being horrible (im glad to see someone not screaming/whipping!) but I notice that a couple of times you haul on her mouth and use your body weight against her mouth- there is one obvious one at about 1.03 and one later on. Is she strong? She throws her head around alot and it looks like from the video that you are too heavy on the hands on not riding her foreward strong enout. As someone else said, sit almost behind the movement and really push her with your seat and really soften up that contact as it looks like she isnt wanting to go forweard into it. Could be wrong as I have not ridden her but just my observation.
Well done for not smacking her and getting frustrated-nice to see!
 
I think you deserve a medal! You are riding beautifully and I have to say that I think she is just downright naughty! I would be tempted to put a professional rider on her and see if there is a difference - at least then you would know whether she is just taking the mickey. I agree about a stronger/different bit as she seems to be able to tank off with you. I would do lots of circling in front of fences so she is kidded in to thinking you are not going to jump and only when she is truly settled doing that would I ask her to pop over with a very short run-up. I would also do alot of trotting poles adding a little cross pole at the end when she is behaving. I am sure you will get it sorted, but I do think she needs a bit of "sorting out" by a stronger rider.
It would be a great shame if you begin to lose your confidence as I do think you ride really well. It might be worth trying her on a course of regumate to see if that makes a difference - she may be hormonal! Good luck and let us know how you get on.
 
Bless you, what a brilliant attitude to post on here all your embarrassing moments, and I must confess I had a bit of a giggle at your naughty mare!

Well done for persevering with her, she doesn't look an easy ride and quite stroppy. :D

I'd also say to try a stronger bit to give you control between the fences, she looks to be tanking off at a few points.

You make a lovely combination though!

ETA:- I think trying a pairs class cross country might be good for her, give her someone to follow and get going a bit more.;)
 
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Hi All, thanks for the cc so far, keep it coming!! And glad i am providing some amusement :) i chuckle every time i watch it!!

I have upped her bit, and the last outing (yesterday) she was in a running gag so no more hauling you will be pleased to know, i had a semblance more control but still the run outs! I have tried 'mocking up' shows, i take her to shows every couple of weeks, a professional has ridden her (several!) and couldnt stop her doing what she does (sets her neck and runs through her shoulder!) apparently it is like riding 'a double decker bus' :) Agree i need to get behind the movement more, i tend to fold too early!! We have come to the conclusion that actually bigger jumps (like 80 nothing huge!) are better than tiny as at least she has to concentrate a bit then!!

She is on regumate so not hormonal. She seems to only shake her head when i tell her off, a kind of defiance thing!!

OMG pairs xcountry!!? She would kill me!! She broncs when she has a lead over a fence so might scrap that one for the time being but good idea for another more sane horse!!

Any other thoughts very gratefully received, keep them coming!! And glad i have made a few people chuckle ;)
 
Oooh I recognise you & that beautiful mare...I'm friends with Herbie & Eva's owners...met you at BRC!
So sorry you are still having issues with her, such a shame as she is stunning & obviously has a huge jump!
You criticise your position but to me you look great...I would have been flat on the floor on a number of occassions in the video, esp the run out at the second part of that double!
Have you thought about having lessons away from home? I know my yard owner (who is renown for getting difficult horses going) teaches over a course at ours (one of the venues in your video!) and we are only 15-20 mins in a lorry? PM me if you want details.

Hx
 
Seems to have a future in dressage, canter to halt, easy, leg yield, amazing, pirouette very good, rein back, seems no aids needed. Hey change careers. !!
 
She's a lovely mare and you do ride her beautifully, but I'm not sure jumping at shows is her thing...maybe she gets stage fright :p. I completely sympathise with her!
 
Watching that remined me so much of my young pony, he was very similar to your mare in the refusals/ducking out but wasn't as strong as your mare looks.

We spent last winter doing that, he is now a jumping superstar, making 1.05 look like a trotting pole, he still throws in the odd refusal though!

You have a fantastic seat, even where she cat leaps you stay with her, I would have been left behind or jumped out the saddle!!

Look forward to seeing your progress with her. I se you also do dressage, how is she doing that?
 
She's taking the piss! You ride her forward well until about a stride or so out of some of the jumps and she knows it. As soon as you hit that point she seems to go 'bugger this, I can run out!'

We had one years ago who, if the mood took him, would fly round a course with you having to do nothing but point him in the right direction. In the end as it was a local show and they never changed the course, he knew the route! However more often than not unless you got after him the WHOLE way to the jump, with an almighty boot at take off, you had no chance!
 
pedilia said:
Watching that remined me so much of my young pony, he was very similar to your mare in the refusals/ducking out but wasn't as strong as your mare looks.

We spent last winter doing that, he is now a jumping superstar, making 1.05 look like a trotting pole, he still throws in the odd refusal though!

You have a fantastic seat, even where she cat leaps you stay with her, I would have been left behind or jumped out the saddle!!

Look forward to seeing your progress with her. I se you also do dressage, how is she doing that?
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What did you do with yours then? Just keep taking him out all the time until he grew out of it?

We try stressage, adequate is probably the best description!!

Thanks for the words of encouragement :)
 
Switchthehorse said:
OMG pairs xcountry!!? She would kill me!! She broncs when she has a lead over a fence so might scrap that one for the time being but good idea for another more sane horse!!

Any other thoughts very gratefully received, keep them coming!! And glad i have made a few people chuckle ;)
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Oh dear, best not go that route then lol! Although just think of the fantastic vids we could watch, I think it would be worth it for the entertainment value alone! :D
 
Thank you for posting this. Didput a smile on my face:D
I think that you ride very well throughout all that she tries to do. Isthere a local venue that does clear rounds during the week . Less atmosphere and nobody minds how long it takes to do the whole course. Good luck
 
Wow - you are seriously one serious rider to be able to sit to all of that and remain sympathetic with her at the same time! She is a beautiful mare, no doubt about that & has the places and scope!! She is probably at the stage though where she realises she can get away with it so its just habit now which can be harder to break.

I have no advice for you cause I think you are doing fantastic! But dont underestimate the use of your voice - have you tried lunging her over jumps and using a command as she jumps - like UP! Then when you're on board you can repeat the vocal command and she will know that she is expected to jump. But you will have to get a bit tougher with her - which I'm sure you are!

Or as I am known for - growling, if I feel my horse tensing up into a fence (especially ones with fillers!) , I growl at him and he just goes for it cause he knows I'm not taking no for an answer!
 
Switchthehorse said:
What did you do with yours then? Just keep taking him out all the time until he grew out of it?

We try stressage, adequate is probably the best description!!

Thanks for the words of encouragement :)
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Yup, just kept taking him out, I spent the winter doing a weekly SJ clinic (amongst other things) we did grids, bounces, never huge just to get him used to the idea and what he was supposed to be doing. He really didn't have a clue, I remember his first grid, had a small spread in the middle, it totally confused him and he put his feet in the middle of the spread rather than jumping it lol
It gradually became part of his routine and he is much, much better now. Total opposite if my mare who will jump the course for you.

How old is your mare?
 
She is 7 going on 4, we have only really been jumping properly the past year or so

I think you are right just going out all the time is the answer, she will jump anything at home, its like she just thinks hooray another show another opportunity to embarrass mum :) and once i get one run out thats it, elimination after elimination after elimination!! I just want to get my moneys worth ONE week :) i.e. more than 3 fences for a tenner entry fee!!!
 
You really do have the perseverance gene!!

Mind you I think you will find that like our mare (also grey) that you are trying to get her to jump those horse eating coloured jumps when everyone knows that they eat horses.

On a serious note we had a similar problem with coloured jumps to start with - no rhyme or reason to it - just coloured jumps - we then tried just using plain old wood ones - no colour - just rustics - that seemed to work - so it may be worth a try,

Just to cheer you up - we took ours to a regional PC event and our mare trashed every single fence - apart from the bogey fence that everyone else had a problem with. One of the other competitors told us that we should compete her at a bigger height as she was taking the P155 out of us.

Don't give up - it will come right one day,
 
Switchthehorse said:
She is 7 going on 4, we have only really been jumping properly the past year or so

I think you are right just going out all the time is the answer, she will jump anything at home, its like she just thinks hooray another show another opportunity to embarrass mum :) and once i get one run out thats it, elimination after elimination after elimination!! I just want to get my moneys worth ONE week :) i.e. more than 3 fences for a tenner entry fee!!!
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Lol, mine is 6 but more like a 4 year old in terms of greeness, the SJ clinic I did was away from home with between 2 and 4 other horses. I think that made a difference,so it wasn't the pressure or stress of a show.
I also had the added problem of a complete lack of impulsion.....
 
Aw bless you! You really do have the patience of a saint and not once did you lose your temper with her. I think you have plenty of persistence and sure you will get there in the end. She is a lovely looking mare and you have a nice secure, 'quiet' seat. And what a good sport to share that with us. :)
 
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