Well he didn't jump - but he didn't nap either ....

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pnap

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I took Jack to the show on Saturday and did the Best Riding Club Horse class. Was a little panicky that he'd nap when asked to leave the line up and do the individual showing bit but he didn't. He didn't jump either mind you - well eventually he went over it. So we didn't do the jumping class but on the plus side I had a jumping lesson last night and have come to the conclusion that it's my fear of approaching fences in canter that's the problem. I keep pulling him back into trot because I know if he stops in trot I can stay on but if I canter to the fence and he stops I'd probably come off. Did a couple of rounds in canter last night and no stopping at all. Just need to work on my confidence now - any tips anyone?
 
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Just need to work on my confidence now - any tips anyone?

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Vodka?
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Yeah! I have a few tips;
1. Focus on the positive, not the negative
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2. Practice cantering over a single pole in the ground - work on your rhythm.
3. Chant 'Wonderful' 'Wonderful' 'Wonderful' in time with the canter stride to keep rhythm.
4. Don't look at jumps - imagine they are not there...and look over them to where you're going.
5. Take jumping position early if you are worried you will be left behind, and thus unseated - keep your heels down and forward and your bum pushed out behind you.
6. More lessons with an instructor, and see if the instructor can go to a show with you and talk you round a course.
Well done - you have made a lot of progress at the show, and now you have to keep building on it.
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jacksmyboy, I am exactly the same, approaching in canter scares me but I am having to learn to trust my pony and stop myself from bringing him back to trot at the last minute.

I love Shil's idea of chanting "wonderful" - I'm going to try that as I'm normally saying "oh sh*t" which is not as positive
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Canter poles have helped me, and remembering to sit up and look ahead. I sometimes line jumps up with a letter in the school straight ahead, and then fix my eyes on the letter. I find if I sit up, heels down etc then if he does stop I'll be more likely to stay on. If I look at the floor/jump and he stops you can guess where I end up...

Well done for the show x
 
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