What is the first time like...?

[chancing]

Hi, thinking of going with a friend on her event horse to Stockland Lovell xx course to get some experience jumping solid fences and being on a course in a big space etc.

Wondering if he will be really fizzy/silly? Will he be ok jumping solids as he flies coloured poles. And any tips on surviving the first time?

Nb newish horse to me and rider working hard on confidence etc

 

[be positive]

Stockland Lovell is ideal for a first timer, plenty of tiny fences to start with, steps, water etc so not just about the jumping but a good place to meet different hazards, canter up a long hill get experience of being in the open with your horse as well as the challenge of jumping a variety of fences.
For your first time I would start very quietly, get him working as you usually would rather than thinking xc and possibly him getting over enthusiastic once he is warmed up and had a canter to get him thinking forward either find a few tiny fences to trot over making sure you remain in control and he does not think about flying over everything too fast so your confidence gets a knock and see how it goes or start with something like the water to just enjoy splashing about, there are some small logs around the water that are ideal to pop over on the way out, as you gain confidence pop a few more interesting fences but be careful you do not get too carried away and tire him or attempt anything you are unsure about how to jump safely.
Your friend is more experienced so she may advise the best fences to try, how they should be approached etc but just remember she is there for a different purpose so may not want to be held back, it would probably be a good idea to go for a lesson if you really want to benefit in future as someone good on the ground can make a huge difference to your confidence by talking you through if you have any concerns.

 

[HaffiesRock]

I dont have the answer but will be watching this thread. My boy LOVES jumping, but isn't particularly good at it. Sometimes he flies, sometimes he smashes through.

I would love to try XC but would be worried he'd kill us both by ploughing through a solid fence! I'm assuming they know the difference between something they can knock and something they cant?

 

[be positive]

I dont have the answer but will be watching this thread. My boy LOVES jumping, but isn't particularly good at it. Sometimes he flies, sometimes he smashes through.

I would love to try XC but would be worried he'd kill us both by ploughing through a solid fence! I'm assuming they know the difference between something they can knock and something they cant?

This is why you need to start small and jump out of trot, don't get carried away as the jumps do not fall down and ideally have an instructor to keep an eye on your technique, most horses do respect that the fences are solid but if the approach is wrong, they are going too fast or are over faced it can be easy for them to leave a front leg with potentially frightening or worse consequences. Many people think that xc is about jumping at speed and forget to ride sensibly, the horse does not require extra speed to jump just because the fences are fixed, you can motor on between the fences but need to bring them back on the approach to set up and get a good line, the engine needs to be kept going but the speed reduced to enable the horse to see the question, jump accurately and safely.

 

[Tnavas]

This is why you need to start small and jump out of trot, don't get carried away as the jumps do not fall down and ideally have an instructor to keep an eye on your technique, most horses do respect that the fences are solid but if the approach is wrong, they are going too fast or are over faced it can be easy for them to leave a front leg with potentially frightening or worse consequences. Many people think that xc is about jumping at speed and forget to ride sensibly, the horse does not require extra speed to jump just because the fences are fixed, you can motor on between the fences but need to bring them back on the approach to set up and get a good line, the engine needs to be kept going but the speed reduced to enable the horse to see the question, jump accurately and safely.

Very wise words

 

[chancing]

Well braved it and tried! Only did the mini fences up to 2ft 3 but had a fan static time. He was impeccably behaved and I stayed on! Success! Thanks for your replies anyone wanting to do it only advice would be take someone sensible on a sensible horse. I had a friend with me and think it wouldn't have been same without her.