CastleMouse
Well-Known Member
What are your top competition tips? I.E course-walking, warming up, banishing your nerves?
What are your top competition tips?
- Thread starter CastleMouse
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MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
When walking SJ and XC courses, DON'T ever stand about looking at the height etc. of them! I used to do this and the longer I looked at each fence, the more I started to think negative, like how big or spooky it was. Now, I barely even look at the fence itself - I work out my line and striding etc. then move straight on to the next fence. I think it helps anyway!
Otherwise, warming up - I always warm up during the winter with a quarter sheet on which I also throw on after / in between rounds. And I always walk, trot and canter on a long relaxed rein before I begin properly working.
Otherwise, warming up - I always warm up during the winter with a quarter sheet on which I also throw on after / in between rounds. And I always walk, trot and canter on a long relaxed rein before I begin properly working.
catembi
Well-Known Member
Nerves - Bach flower rescue remedy. If you can't eat - supermarket brand sports drinks (but beware cos they really make you wee - not sure why).
Also, be jumping 10 - 15 cm higher in lessons than you're competing. Then at the end of your lesson, get off your horse & measure on your body where the jumps come to eg on me 1 m 15 is nipple height, 1 m 20 is collar bone, 1 m 25 is just above shoulder, then when you get to a comp you can 'prove' to yourself that the jumps are LOWER than you're doing in lessons even if they don't look it!!
Warm up - find out what your horse needs & don't be tempted to do too much.
Also, be jumping 10 - 15 cm higher in lessons than you're competing. Then at the end of your lesson, get off your horse & measure on your body where the jumps come to eg on me 1 m 15 is nipple height, 1 m 20 is collar bone, 1 m 25 is just above shoulder, then when you get to a comp you can 'prove' to yourself that the jumps are LOWER than you're doing in lessons even if they don't look it!!
Warm up - find out what your horse needs & don't be tempted to do too much.