stage 2 sympathy please

S

SouthWestWhippet

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Resat my stage 2 riding this morning. I reall felt I was ready this time, all my instructors said I looked good and if anything was above the required level. I was really nervous but also quietly confident that I was capable of achieving the required standard. But I dunno, feel the exam went terrible.

First horse I rode was really really lazy and for some reason I couldnt keep my right foot in the stirrup when I used my legs. Felt a total mess tbh. Second horse was much better and I was happy with the way I rode him but I reckon I'd already failed by then
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Jumping was a disaster. I rode the single most dreadful horse I have ever had the misfortune to sit on. He was beyond lazy. I squeezed... zero. I kicked... zero. I hit him with my stick... zero. I kicked and hit him... he shook his head but otherwise zero...
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what could I have done? At one point I tried to circle him away from the ride to get some space to jump (the only way he would move was if he was following someone) and he just stood still and refused to move. I didn't know what to do. I kicked, smacked... was as positive as I knew how to be but NOTHING.

I'm not trying to make excuses but stage 2 is supposed to be about looking neat and tidy on a horse. How can anyone look neat and tidy on a horse that is point blank refusing to move? Maybe I am just a s**t rider but I feel really upset about it because i feel I didn't have the chance to show off my skills, all I could do was sit and kick and use my stick.
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Sympathy please? also please dont post anything mean about how I must be a total numpty not to be able to get him to move cos I am already about to cry and yes I know, stage 2 riders ought to be able to make a horse trot. But I swear I have sat on some lazy horses in my time but nothing to touch this one.
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Dont beat yourself up too much!!!! Did anyone else have to ride the backwards thinking lazy git of a horse????? Then the judges?? will know how lazy he is.

Dont get wound up till you know the results for sure!!
 
Surely they are supposed to take the horse's way of going and behaviour into account - if you are good enough to enter your Stage 2, you are obviously not a complete numpty, and one would hope they would watch how you attempted to get the horse to move as well as how you rode it, if you see what I mean. I agree with Lexie as well - if anyone else rode the lazy bugger and had the same problem, surely the judges will see it was mostly a problem with the horse, not the rider.

Are you allowed to wear spurs in the stage 2 riding? I would guess not.
 
Oh bless you, all is not lost you will not know for definate until tomorrow so try not to beat yourself up over it.

A few years ago you used to be able to take spurs to your stage 2, is that not still the case.
 
He woke up once I had jumped him round the course... actually he wasn't as awful to jump - so the next person who rode him just had to take him in and jump him again and he looked all right-ish although she said he was a nightmare for her as well.

I was the only person who did anything on the flat with him though when he was at his worst. We had to do the 'riding round a field' bit and at one point I smacked him really hard because I wanted him to trot and he humped his back and then tripped (still didnt' go forwards mind) which is probably the 'poster child' example of how NOT to ride on undulating ground. Oh well, there is nothing I can do now but wait (and maybe start drinking)
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Yup im sure a voddie or two will make things seem brighter. The examiners must know this is the laziest horse known to man..... so im sure they'll take that into account!!
 
When i did my stage 2 i could have cried after leaving the exam, could only just get one of my flat horses into canter, and the 2nd flat horse bucked when i smacked it with a stick! Jumping i had a huge horse and spent most of my time backing him up with the stick and also got left behind on the warm up jump! thought i must of failed but to my surprise when i opened my results i had sailed through, just had one mark which was riding with the reins in one hand ( horse napped to back of ride ) so i wouldnt worry, although you say it didn't feel particularly great, you will probably be fine
 
Try not to be too down about it I know how you feel, I still do not know how I passed my stage 2, I was given two lazy horses for the flat, had to smack them with a whip every stride aswell as using my legs, no bend in them whatsoever, they didn't go any better for the other riders. For the jumping them gave me a fresh horse which was very excitable and strong, and I was marked down because I struggled to get him to walk after cantering when the rest of the group had just stopped trotting (I was on the other side of the field aswell so not near them) this horse then bucked and tried to take off after every jump (same with the other rider).
 
Thanks for all these stories about other horrid experiences, it makes me feel a bit more positive... [takes deep breath and tries to stop being so feeble].

I guess at the end of the day it is just a silly exam and I can alway take it again LOL
 
Oh Jenny, poor you! I'm sure the judges know what this horse is like, he must have a reputation! Are you still in Glos or have you headed home? I'll be at the yard tonight if you're still about and fancy a Henry hug!
 
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