That was a disaster!! Help!!

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kayleigh_and_rocky

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www.kayleigh-nicholls.piczo.com
As you know i'm an exercise rider, and one of my clients wanted me to compete her horse at a local unaff SJ today. This horse is only 6 but rides more like a 4yo, is usually VERY stuffy but when jumping at home is a gorgeous ride. Has never been indoors before, has never been to a competition before and has never seen a filler before - recipe for disaster really and boy was it bad!
He was fine in the warm up arena, took him into the (indoor) competition arena and he froze, he just froze. I couldnt get him within 10metres of any of the jumps even the simple ones, and i couldnt get him to move, so had to leave the arena!! No bucking, no rearing, no spinning, he just froze and it wasnt naughtiness it was just like utter shock!
Have recommended to the owner that we take him to the same venue schooling and that he does more things out and about to get used to it but she was v v disappointed, i feel awful now
Any words of wisdom?
 
You've done (in my opinion) exactly the right thing in what you have suggested to the owner. You need to take this horse (with no competition pressure) to as many SJ arenas to practice. He is not used to being asked and it can only be done bit by bit - it was probably just too much for him.
 
Are you a member of winchester riding club? If not it may be worth joining, they run fortnightly evening showjumping clinics all through the winter at sparsholt which is very good value for money and excellent experience for young green horses.
 
I wouldn’t called that a disaster, I would put it down to experience. I think you have said exactly the right thing to the owner and you handle the situation very well.
 
I agree with the others - you have done the right thing and have given good advice to the owners
smile.gif
 
i personally would hire out an indoor school with jumps and get him jumping indoors, go to as many different places as possible so he gets used to different indoor venues. You can hire out hoplands indoor arena and the jumps and sparsholts aswell. x
 
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