what to do? (competition)

[LadyRascasse]

in a couple of weeks i'm planning to take my mare show jumping at my local RC it will be her first proper course of jumps (the only time she has been round a course was in march and it was clear rounds of probably 1ft max and even then she knocked 1 down and stopped at 2) at home she is capable of jumping 3ft+.

now i was planning of taking her over the 2 smallest classes at 1ft3-1ft6 and 1ft6-1ft9. i don't want to be insulting to her or upset people because i'm entering her in a low class when she is clearly capable of jumping bigger but at the same time i don't want ot overfaze her at her first sjing competition.

what should i do? just so you know the classes 1ft3-1ft6, 1ft6-1ft9, 2ft-2ft3 and 2ft6-2ft9

 

[3Beasties]

I would do the classes you are planning on doing, it's not really about the height but more about getting her round to build her confidence.

If she does well in these two classes then next time you take her out I would aim for the higher ones.

Good Luck!

 

[diggerbez]

i would do the classes that you have put down. then hopefully you will have such a brilliant time and jump clear that next time you will feel happy and confident to move up a class. better this way than overfacing yourself and your mare and it all going T*ts up!

if she jumps really well why not do three classes? she should be more than capable unless very unfit....

good luck!

 

[BobbyMondeo]

Enter her for the ones you have originally planned...doesnt matter about what other people think you have to start small and build up your mares confidence

 

[Dubsie]

I would do them purely for confidence for you both. A local RS does competitions monthly, and the 1ft6/1ft 9 usually has several novice BIG horsies/riders competing with the littlies for experience, and even if they go clear, in the jump off at least one of the little kiddies on a mini pony is able to zoom round a shorter route and finish in less time, so no one minds the biggies jumping the low courses, cos they usually can't win (and they give out loads of rosettes anyway).

 

[MrsMozart]

Yup. The ones you'd planned. She's going to be using up energy just being at the show. Jumping a couple of rounds that she is 'easily' capable of is the sensible option

. Give her chance to get into it

.

 

[LadyRascasse]

thank you i was getting paraniod about people moan cos she is 15.3 and its such a small height. i have no intetion of entering her into the small classes every show.