Sponsored ride yesterday - bit disappointed with the Zoom pony :(

MontyandZoom

MontyandZoom

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I went to Waddesdon ride yesterday. Zoom was very nutty :( I had a nice ride since the scenery was beautiful and I learned a new trick......when she was leaping around i just stuck her up Tedster's horse's arse :D She settled quite well!

The reason i am disappointed though is that the jumps were all very small, apart from a couple of hunt jumps but she was horrible! She jumped everything but was paying NO attention to me at all! I was left behind lots and couldn't get a good stride to anything. She was sort of just launching herself or getting too close and going up instead of forwards. :(

Link to hilariously bad photo over tiny jump - note my angry face and Zoom's sweaty gurning craziness

http://sfdigital.morephotos.com/mp_...id=8934940&eventid=68299&imagename=WM379t.jpg

Anyhoo - I've entered a hunter trial next sunday. i'm doing the 2'3 pairs, but since we've gone clear round 2'3 three times now, and it's one of the last times I'm going to do a HT before she goes, I decided to enter the 2'6/2'9 class too. I've just emailed the organiser to see if I can downgrade to 2'3 :(

I feel like I'm wussing out since I have to admit I have been getting nervous about it but the two jumps on the sponsored ride that were up to height she practically climbed over. When we're on form we can easily fly a 2'9 xc jump. We did nearly all the big ones at RAF Halton and she felt fab but I'm just worried about how she will behave.

Do you think I'm being sensible..............or just cowardly?? :(
 
Chin up hun, they all have bad days!

Maybe the jumps were just too small for her so she wasn't showing them (or you!!) much respect!?

Hope it goes well next week end :)
 
I don't think you should down grade. Lots of good jumping horses perform better over bigger fences. They just get cocky and careless over little ones. The mare I ride will just launch over little fences from miles away because she can't be bothered to do it properly. She'll take strides out right left and centre or jump like an arthritic mule if i take her round 2'3" but stick the fences up to 3ft and she's a different horse, jumps brilliantly, and sorts her striding and rhythm so it feels effortless.

There are at least three that I can think of like this at the riding school and they are all the most talented jumpers. One in particular goes through anything under about 2'9" and scatters poles like a demoltion derby.

They lack respect for little fences because they know they have got the scope to get out of trouble.

I think if you downgrade you'll feel worse.
 
Try not to worry about it too much... all horses and all riders have off days... she can't be a star every day ;)
If it were me, I would have stuck with the 2ft9 class... she was probably just having an off day yesterday and if she isn't going well at the HT, you can always pull up and call it a day.... Saying that, that's just me... you have to feel happy with what you're doing... if your instinct says do the smaller one... then that's fine :)
Good luck :D
 
That jump photo isn't too bad at all, I've seen some real shockers. I'm going to agree with the others. I can see your logic but at the same time she'll probably jump better over 2ft6, Lil doesn't bother over small jumps either.
 
I have problems jumping my horse on sponsered rides as he gets over excited and ends up charging at everything. Its worse when the jumps are small as he has no respect for them.
The atmosphere at a hunter trial is totally different and you may find she is much more settled when she's not going round with lots of other horses.

Just remember you're going the hunter trial to have fun, so do whatever you feel most comfortable with and don't forget to enjoy!
 
def stick with the bigger ones, it looks like shes just showing her utter disdain for the embarrassing baby fences you made her do. Also sponsored rides are mad, HT will be much better for concentration.
 
WoW! I didn't expect this response.....but I think you guys are right! I think it's just that I was too nervous to jump a 1ft cross pole when I got Zoom. She had never jumped and we have learned together.

I still have wobbles though so I think I just knocked my confidence yesterday. I have recalled the email (I hope they don't get it now since that will be annoying!! :D) and I'm gonna stick to the bigger class.

I am walking the course next saturday since I've not been there before......I can always downgrade on the day. Plus - as you guys say, if I have to pull up, there's no shame in it!!!

Thanks for the advice :)
 
Oh boo!! They just emailed back saying that they have swapped me to the smaller class. I've emailed back saying I've changed my mind again......they're gonna love me!!!!!!!!!
 
Like the others have suggested, I think she might be just hooning over the fences as she thinks they are too small for her attention! Might be worth having her back checked though as my oh horse suddenly started struggling with her jumping and it was her back that was out. That said - it was noticed over several schooling sessions - so comparing like with like. If she was having an exciting time at the fun ride and being a bit of a **** then I would be inclined to think she was just taking the mick.
Go for the 2'6'', I'm sure she'll be fab and actually take some notice of them!
 
I've just looked at the picture, doesn't look that bad at all. Just like she isn't really making much effort!
 
Stick to the bigger class you can do it and you will be angry if you don't you know you will!!

That ride yesterday was lovely but the jumps OMG I hated them you know that and Teddy was BAD!! My photos are the worst I have EVER seen lol, Zoom was much better behaved than Teddy... so DONT downgrade or I will have to KILL you ! Believe in yourself you CAN DO IT!!
 
AW! Loves you too Tedster :D I have emailed them back to say 'sorry but changed my mind again'.....they haven't replied.

They must be so bloody sick of me lol :D
 
Oh I so wanted to go yesterday, but Harvey doesn't fit in my friends lorry and I haven't pulled trailer on my own yet and OH half couldn't as he was at work.
Sorry, you didn't have such a good time, but hope the lovely scenery made up for it a bit.
 
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