Top tips please!!

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Fiorano

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Well, I have decided to take my baby to her first show jumping competition. All sounds good so far. The problem is that not only has she never been but neither have I!!

So we are doing the VERY novice senior class - all of 1'9" :)!

So anyone got any top tips for getting round the course without making a complete fool of myself??
 
sorry cant help but watching with interest as this will be next year lol- although she jumps 1.10 from a trot! (not with me and not in any kinda style), 1ft sounds good to me !! good luck xx
 
take it easy, there's no rush.

Keep a good rhythm (in trot or canter)

at this level, take a circle if you need to to get her balanced and back into your rhythm. Better that than getting flat into a jump and having a stop/poles down.

look where you want to go (so look at the floor if that's where you want to go ;))

whatever happens don't panic. take a deep breath and stay calm.

My instructor says to count 1,2,3,4 in time with the strides to help you keep the rhythm and it also helps you somehow get a nice stride into a fence.

sit up between fences

don't give your hands away over a fence, just soften them so you don't jab her in the mouth.

Have Fun :D

and most improtantly.... tell us all about it when you get back! ;)
 
alfiesmum said:
jenhunt- i just love that tip! 'dont look at the floor' --- i have serious problems looking anywhere else hee hee xx
Click to expand...

i learnt that one the hard way on a nappy horse! when my instructor shouted it at me it sounded so bl**dy obvious i couldn't work out why i wasn't looking where i wanted to go.

as soon as i did the stroppy little so&so just got on with it!
 
I always used to tell daughter not to worry about the height of the jumps (because pony can walk over it) or the speed but to aim to go clear over each jump in turn with a nice staedy rhythm, and to look forward to the next jump rather than down. If you hear a pole go or be hit, don't look back there's nothing you can do about it.

Do make sure you walk the course and know which jumps you have to do in which order - and if there's a jump off or if it's 2 phase. Have seen so many people take the wrong route.
 
Thank you everyone! Love the advise on looking where you are going - so true :)

Ok, in a nut shell, I will relax, breathe, look where I'm going, keep a steady rythmn, don't look back, and enjoy it!!

Will let you know how we get on on Sunday. :)
 
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