:) very happy nervous rider, questions about competing for first time!

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1Lucie

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:) I have the biggest smile. I am a pretty nervous rider and particualrly struggle with jumping, despite riding on and off for 15yrs!

Today i jumped my lovely horsey round a course between 1.5ft-2ft.3, all in canter with no knocks or refusals (at home) and i have the biggest smile!! It might not seem much for some but for me this is a huge break through and i really enjoyed it!!!

I have the opportunity to go to a show with a very experienced friend locally in a few weeks. Along with the assistance of the YO and groom. Which i feel is a great opportunity as I have never been brave enough to go! I few a few prob silly questions about going....

What to wear? I have a black show jacket, white jods, shirt and cravat type thing. Would this be ok?

The lowest class is 1.9ft-2ft, am i pushing myself too much? Or should i just go for a clear round (19inches), would i look silly on a 16h1 horse at the grand age of 27!

When bell goes how long do i have before i can start jumping?

Any advice much appreicated!!!

Thanks
 
What you have got to wear sounds perfect - you will get away without wearing the stock (cravat thing!) but you will look smarter with it on!

If I were you I would do the clear round and see how it goes - get your and your horses confidence up and then go for the 1.9ft class so you dont overface yourself/scare yourself - if you think your nervous normally - just imagine how you will feel in a show environment!!

You definitely will NOT look silly - I bet there will be loads of other riders on horses doing the CR and smaller classes - probably just as worried as you - so dont worry about that!

When the bell goes you have 45seconds to pass through the start markers - maybe try to watch a few rounds before you jump so you get the idea!!

Just a little extra thought - I get super nervous before I compete and totally forget how to ride - I find the best thing is to lie quietly before you get on and inhale for 8 seconds and exhale for 10 seconds (harder than it sounds) and at the same time visualise yourself doing really well with your horse - recieving a rosette, going clear etc!

Best of luck and let us know how you get on!!!
 
Nope you wont look silly and who cares anyway wear a smile and if anyone says anything just answer we all have to start somewhere

A few years ago I won the foot class and first prize was a set of felt tip pens and paper, I passed it down the line to a suitable child. I was the grand age of 36!!

If you are worried about "robbing" a child of there place go HC
 
Good for you :)

You definitely won't look silly at all. I have just got home from taking my 14 yr old son to his first ever show - 45cms class. He was worried he'd be in with lead reins and tiny children - but the class was a real mixture. Some experienced riders with baby horses out for the first time; some young children; but mostly grown-ups on their horses.

I'd go for the clear round and if you get on OK, just enter for the next class.

Good luck.
 
you said you were jumping 2.9ft at home yes and the competition's lowest round is 2.3ft? (sorry just double checking I've forgotten by the time I clicked reply :o)

If those numbers are correct, keep jumping 2.9ft at home, when you reach the competition seeing the lower fences will make you more at ease and confident. Seeing a 2.9ft fence at home vs competition is completely different for me (Nervous rider here myself) so try that and see how it goes :)
 
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