Sorry guys, a show jumping report with lots of pics and vids

[vam]

Its actually a few reports in one but I thought if I put that in the title even less people would look!
Thought I would do a sort of comp round up as haven’t posted much lately, I seem to have developed a bad case of self-doubt and didn’t fancy a major bashing on here so thought I would stay away until I felt better. Not sure I'm there yet as I'm my own worst critic and really feel my riding and his way of going leave a lot to be desired but I'm getting there with help.

Anyway. Since I last posted we have done a 90cm and a 95cm class at Pyecombe on a ticket and despite some intresting riding by me he gave me a nice double clear in both. I have to say I thought the 95cm looked quite big and meaty but my eye is really out so it was probably normal to most.
Little warm up pics





Click on next for pics, I have bought some but will get my wrist slapped if I post them I'm sure.

90cm
http://www.lrg-photography.co.uk/events/Pyecombe/37. SJ 21st Apr 2013/2/LRG_0405.html
Vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsXcop3ebHM

95cm
http://www.lrg-photography.co.uk/events/Pyecombe/37. SJ 21st Apr 2013/3/LRG_0519.html
Vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T43Gz3kiuKE

Followed by lessons which have mostly been working on getting him less strung out and more connected, we have been doing a lot of shortening and using my seat to bring him back. It has been working but he finds it hard, I work on it every time I ride and we are getting there.

Little clip from a lesson, finally managed to get 5 strides in rather than the 4 which he found easy. The canter is getting there but I find it very hard to maintain it on the left rein, I need to control my left leg better and stop hanging onto the left rein which makes him fix, I also tend to collapse more on that rein so I’ve been doing more and more no stirrup work. Again getting there slowly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbpgEwvigIg

I went over to Royal leisure for the BN which he jumped round well but every time I asked him to come back to me to change legs he would leap and jump through my hands, very frustrating as he hasn’t done this for ages. Went in for the jump off which was much better as I left him to it and let him sort his own legs out and he was fine. Although I didn’t do any turns or kick on, just let him bowl along he was quick enough to have won if we were registered.

Warm up pics




Pics from the BN

http://www.lrg-photography.co.uk/events/Royal Leisure Centre/27. SJ 28th Apr 2013/3/LRG_0718.html

Onto a few weeks ago, I re affiliated him and took him to Farnham which was his first show on grass and first time there so you can imagine I was a bit ‘eek!’ at the rustic with brush filler as a first fence followed by a yellow wall as the second . As usual my lovely boy saved my butt for a double clear and 2nd in the BN and just rolled a poll in our first Disco. Again loads that I need to work on, I seem to have developed a habit of putting him on the wrong canter lead a lot by hanging on his gob. He can be forward which is fine but can then bowl along and it’s very hard to get him back to you. I think this has been a cause for a lot of our issues although less so in my lessons when someone makes me actually ride.

Warm up pics




Pics from the BN
http://www.sharontphotography.co.uk/photo18134523.html

Pics from the Disco
http://www.sharontphotography.co.uk/photo18136274.html

I have a vid from them both but reluctant to post as I really do him no favours by putting him on the wrong leg and not helping him to change. We are fine schooling etc but it seems to fall apart a bit at shows so something more to work on.

Then Sunday we went to Vicarage Farm for the BN and 1m Amateur class (as there wasn’t a Disco), he warmed up really well, been having a tweak with his bitting but it’s still not quite right, currently in a Nathe pelham with a chain curb, I changed that to one that’s wrapped in vet wrap and he was really nice and soft in the contact but maybe wasn’t taking me as forward as I'm used to, loosened it and he just bowled off with me and I had less input but more forward. Will get it right at some point.

Warm up pics





Jumped the BN nicely but I took a pull coming out a corner and he rolled a pole.

Vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2XFu-PAhRk

Long wait until the 1m warmed up ok, just maybe a bit off the boil but pinging nicely, I think I then over cooked him as he felt a bit flat and not taking me forwards again. Because he didn’t feel like he was towing me like normally I overrode and as a result we had a lucky escape when he slipped at one fence and I then put him in really deep at the last double in the jo which as a spread in, bless him he jumped it and took the pole out. Looking at the vid the canter actually looks really good so who knows. I think I just panicked when actually if I had sat with but leg on and round he would have hit everything perfectly. Dunce hat for one please.

Vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIipAv7xVN4

Still having problems with landing in canter which is something I want to sort with my instructor. I'm creating a problem by hanging on the left rein as the poor s*d thinks I want to go left then gets his legs in a knot when I actually end up going right. More homework for me.

The plan now is to continue working on things at home, I spend my life slowing down, speeding up, leg yielding here and there, transitions left right and centre to get it right but until I sort my dodgy left hand out it’s not really going to improve.
I'm open to cc but I have got loads that I know I need to work on and loads that I need to try and sort with him. The one thing people will pick up on is that my reins look long, they are but honestly if you rode him you know that they feel really short, any more and I feel like I'm being pulled up his neck something I have spent ages trying to undo, its getting there thou. More schooling is needed I know but he really isn’t that easy, well for me anyway, put some who knows what they are doing and he will probably be pretty easy. I'm just working as hard and best I can and we are making improvements, just slow ones as I really can't and won't force things with him.

And because he is a dude

 

[kez1001]

What a lovely horse. No CC cause my sj leaves a lot to be required. Jumps look big to me too but I'm a wimp lol

 

[dieseldog]

What an epic post!

You can see a change from the first to the last video, you must be really pleased and congrats on all your good results, you must be really pleased

 

[Carefreegirl]

Lovely lovely horse and you can't be that bad judging by the pictures and your results

 

[TheSylv007]

Great pics - thanks for sharing!

 

[Lolo]

Your position is so secure, I'm very jealous!

 

[anna22]

Great reports, well done! You aren't the only one on here who is their own worst critic... but give yourself a pat on the back sometimes, you deserve it

 

[juliap]

Lovely reports - really enjoyed reading & watching

 

[TarrSteps]

I do like this horse.

It sounds like you have a good support system and what you're doing is working. Certainly things have improved recently, don't you think? Sometimes it's just about keeping on, keeping on while the horse learns and gets stronger.

 

[Scarlett]

Brilliant pics and videos, thanks for posting. No CC from me, I aim to be jumping the stuff you are one day, your position looks spot on and he improves through the pics and vids. Job well done!

P.s - love your horse, he's one of my HHO faves.

 

[Bantry]

Lovely, lovely horse! The pictures especially from Royal Leisure are fantastic

What an epic post!

You can see a change from the first to the last video, you must be really pleased and congrats on all your good results, you must be really pleased

Yep, the last video looks like a really confident round, you should watch it and think that was good!

I'm open to cc but I have got loads that I know I need to work on and loads that I need to try and sort with him. The one thing people will pick up on is that my reins look long, they are but honestly if you rode him you know that they feel really short, any more and I feel like I'm being pulled up his neck something I have spent ages trying to undo, its getting there thou.

Not criticism at all but he seems to jump to the left a bit? I had this with a horse except she jumped to the right particularly on the right rein. Trainer would always tell me off for not having control of the right shoulder which we'd then practice on the flat using shoulder in I think? We'd also jump the oxer a couple of time on a slight diagonol so I had to really concentrate on taking off on the right hand side but landing on the left if that make sense? You can do it with a smallish fence so that you're not concerned with the height but can focus on taking off and landing exactly where you choose. After a couple goes if you go back to jumping in the middle of the fence you should find you've a lot more control and are a lot straighter.

Oh and l love his outfit! Black looks really well on chestnuts

 

[millitiger]

I do love your horse

Can't see the videos on work computer but the photos are lovely.

 

[TableDancer]

What a stunning horse He has a fab canter and a great engine, but that doesn't always make them easy to ride, does it? You are doong a great job and with the system you have in place I'm sure the two of you will just go on improving

 

[little_flea]

You've improved loads from first to the last video. I really like your horse, great canter & back end - quite powerful though which is probably why you feel strung out at times.

This might or might not be useful – and obviously you have a good trainer and are working on all the right things, but my mare as you know is also long, stiff and a bit numb in the mouth and a difficult to keep "together" in a ring canter and I also used to end up with (and still do) really long reins, but by forcing myself to always have hands in front of breastplate strap, I've managed to get her hack on hocks a bit more – it is a good guide. And lots of canter to halt transitions, and practising riding square corners (poles really helpful) that you can either pivot round (thinking canter pirouette) or push up into (bending and moving away from inside leg).

Really nice to get more SJ reports so keep'em coming! Love the casual rolled up sleeves too

 

[vam]

What an epic post!

You can see a change from the first to the last video, you must be really pleased and congrats on all your good results, you must be really pleased

Thank you, I don’t always see the difference, I guess I'm so involved it’s hard to be objective at times.

Your position is so secure, I'm very jealous!

Thank you, it’s mostly down to the saddle. I can’t tell you the difference it’s made, that and no stirrup work and the odd bit of riding without a saddle

Great reports, well done! You aren't the only one on here who is their own worst critic... but give yourself a pat on the back sometimes, you deserve it

Thank you . I really struggle with self-doubt but I'm getting better.

What a lovely horse. No CC cause my sj leaves a lot to be required. Jumps look big to me too but I'm a wimp lol

Thank you, they would have looked huge to me a few months ago!

Lovely lovely horse and you can't be that bad judging by the pictures and your results

Thank you, he really does save by butt a lot but I think he forgives me

Great pics - thanks for sharing!

Thank you

Lovely reports - really enjoyed reading & watching

Thank you

I do like this horse.

It sounds like you have a good support system and what you're doing is working. Certainly things have improved recently, don't you think? Sometimes it's just about keeping on, keeping on while the horse learns and gets stronger.

Thank you, he is fab, a twonk at times but generally fab. I think things have improved, I just find I sort something and something else appears but I think that’s just horses for you. I have got a good network now I have moved away from people that had a negative effect on me without me even realising, it made a massive difference have people I trust work with me and him. He really is a slowly, slowly horse, nothing can be forced. He finds some things so easy trying to change it is met with a ‘why bother when I can already do it’ I almost have to persuade him its all his idea but I have to also be very consistent in what I do, not easy when your prone to mistakes.

Brilliant pics and videos, thanks for posting. No CC from me, I aim to be jumping the stuff you are one day, your position looks spot on and he improves through the pics and vids. Job well done!

P.s - love your horse, he's one of my HHO faves.

Thank you, so glad people can see an improvement in both of us.

Lovely, lovely horse! The pictures especially from Royal Leisure are fantastic



Yep, the last video looks like a really confident round, you should watch it and think that was good!



Not criticism at all but he seems to jump to the left a bit? I had this with a horse except she jumped to the right particularly on the right rein. Trainer would always tell me off for not having control of the right shoulder which we'd then practice on the flat using shoulder in I think? We'd also jump the oxer a couple of time on a slight diagonol so I had to really concentrate on taking off on the right hand side but landing on the left if that make sense? You can do it with a smallish fence so that you're not concerned with the height but can focus on taking off and landing exactly where you choose. After a couple goes if you go back to jumping in the middle of the fence you should find you've a lot more control and are a lot straighter.

Oh and l love his outfit! Black looks really well on chestnuts

Yep the drifting left has been an issue for ages, more or less sorted in training but appears when competing. I really struggle to control his shoulder on the left, mainly I think because of me grabbing with the left rein which causes him to fix against it with his neck leaving his shoulder free to do whatever plus I am weaker down the left side. I really struggle to keep my left leg still and on, it seems to have a mind of its own and I often find myself drawing it up. Oddly the left stirrup is longer than the right but feels shorter, I have been doing loads of no stirrup work which has improved it but still got a long way to go.

I am a bit of a sorry excuse for a show jumper as I tie my hair up out the way, don’t have any bling or fluff and wear boring black! I think he looks smart thou so I don’t mind

I do love your horse

Can't see the videos on work computer but the photos are lovely.

Thank you

What a stunning horse He has a fab canter and a great engine, but that doesn't always make them easy to ride, does it? You are doong a great job and with the system you have in place I'm sure the two of you will just go on improving

Thank you. It’s not easy at all . I have struggled with his engine from the start, I'm slowly undoing the mistakes from the beginning and starting to learn to ride him. It has meant I have had to step up but it has been and still is hard work, I think he will be worth it thou.

 

[Jesstickle]

I will CC you vam. You are too down on yourself! You ride him nicely and there is clearly a genuine partnership there as when things do go wrong he doesn't hold it against you, just carries on cheerful as you like

He looks a picture!

 

[vam]

You've improved loads from first to the last video. I really like your horse, great canter & back end - quite powerful though which is probably why you feel strung out at times.

This might or might not be useful – and obviously you have a good trainer and are working on all the right things, but my mare as you know is also long, stiff and a bit numb in the mouth and a difficult to keep "together" in a ring canter and I also used to end up with (and still do) really long reins, but by forcing myself to always have hands in front of breastplate strap, I've managed to get her hack on hocks a bit more – it is a good guide. And lots of canter to halt transitions, and practising riding square corners (poles really helpful) that you can either pivot round (thinking canter pirouette) or push up into (bending and moving away from inside leg).

Really nice to get more SJ reports so keep'em coming! Love the casual rolled up sleeves too

Thank you, thats a good tip about the breast plate. I dont tend to use one at home but its not so bad then but when your going round a course having something visual like that will be really useful. Will give it a go when I'm next out.
We do loads of transitions but using poles will be helpful, think i will give them a go this weekend.

Its a good look with the sleeves! Damm those new fangled jackets lowering the tone That combined with my new gloves that let in sunlight and i will have a lovely tan if the sun ever comes out!

 

[_GG_]

Just a lovely post

 

[TGM]

Well done - he is a lovely horse and is improving all the time.

 

[MagicMelon]

Nice pics and report OP. On a different matter, where'd you get / what is the Mexican/grakle noseband you're using??

 

[claire_p2001]

Great report he looks awesome Was lovely to see him in the flesh on Sunday and he is even more gorgeous than in the pictures! I saw your 1m round and thought it was forward and flowing you kept a lovely rhythm it was a very long course he was probably a little tired by the end and chipped in that extra stride. Keep going how you are and keep enjoying yourselves and the good results will follow

 

[vam]

I will CC you vam. You are too down on yourself! You ride him nicely and there is clearly a genuine partnership there as when things do go wrong he doesn't hold it against you, just carries on cheerful as you like

He looks a picture!

Thank you, good cc He is very good which in a way makes it hard when he does save our butts as I don’t want him to get fed up of it. He is a dude really

Just a lovely post

Thank you

Well done - he is a lovely horse and is improving all the time.

Thank you

Nice pics and report OP. On a different matter, where'd you get / what is the Mexican/grakle noseband you're using??

Thank you, it’s a Dy’on, lovely bridle but have no idea if it makes any odds that way compared to a normal ring type. It looks smart thou and I like the cut a way headpiece on it as well

Great report he looks awesome Was lovely to see him in the flesh on Sunday and he is even more gorgeous than in the pictures! I saw your 1m round and thought it was forward and flowing you kept a lovely rhythm it was a very long course he was probably a little tired by the end and chipped in that extra stride. Keep going how you are and keep enjoying yourselves and the good results will follow

Thank you, I personally think he looks better in pics, he can have a bit of a donkey look about him at times! it was lovely to meet you sorry I didn’t get over to meet Jack, was going to then the rain started so decided to head home. I hear you did well thou.
He did feel a bit tired so think I over cooked him in the warm up, bless him I just took my leg off and left him to it. Will def keep going as I am as something must be working