when you go out competing do you.......

[LadyRascasse]

set yourself goals? for example i took my mare out showjumping this weekend and my goal was to get round the course without refusals (which we achieved) next time my aim is to get round a bigger course without refusals, i don't care if she takes every jump down with (along as she isn't going through them) as long as we don't refuse.

i am going to take my gelding to do some dressage and my aim is to try and get between 50%-60% as its out first every test. anything else is a bonus.

so do you set yourself goals and if you do do you achieve them?

 

[Katie__Connie]

Old ponio... goal used to be to get round without refusals!! (he was a scaredy cat!!!) He never knocked a pole in his life anyway

New Girlie.... shes an angel so my goal is to get placed if i can!

 

[kpup]

yes definately,
to start with...just to stay on...then not to be eliminated... then not too many down... now hoping to be placed!

 

[TinselRider]

yes I think it helps to go out with a goal in mind, usually mine is to have a controlled CR.

 

[MerryMAL]

On Toby my goal was always get him over the first fence first time and see how it goes from there! I don't know what my goal will be on Lottie... Now you've got me thinking!

 

[Gorgeous George]

Definately, when we did our first HT in Sept my goal was to survive! Then we we did the 2ft 3 with some very scary jumps my goal was to get round one way or the other and jump everything - yup we got eliminated for too many stops, but we jumped everything and I was thrilled!

With dressage I aim to get a better % although that is a bit subjective, but maybe try and get a 7 and not a 6 for something, canter on the correct leg, that kind of thing.

 

[Ranyhyn]

Yes i do. I try to keep them bitesize and delight in the small victories, one day I hope to look back and think jeepers, ive done well

 

[soulfull]

Yes and will do with new one to start with it will be just for him to be settled, relaxed and well behaved, and progress from there in what ever size steps it takes. Of course it is always even better when you manage a little more than you hoped which is another good reason I have such tiny step lol

 

[Kat]

Oh yes!

When I was training for my marathon the person trained me helped me frame my goals, and it is useful to do this for any competition. They were as follows:

1. To get to the start fit well and uninjured.
2. To start the race
3. To finish the race
4. To finish feeling well and uninjured
5. To finish feeling well and uninjured in less than my target time.

I suceeded on all five counts, only just beat my time but felt better than I imagined afterwards.

For a show jumping competition I would think the following
1. To get to the event fit well and uninjured.
2. To start the class.
3. To complete the class without being eliminated.
4. To complete the class without refusing
5. To complete the class clear
6. To jump off clear

Personally I don't think getting placed should be in your aims as it is dependant upon what others do and you should be setting targets that are mainly dependant upon your own performance. Getting round clear and not getting placed is better than getting place having not gone clear in terms of personal development.

For dressage I'd switch 4-6 for something like, to complete without errors of course, to score over 50%, to have no individual marks less than 5, to get at least one 7, or better still really specific things tailored to your own issues like, to strike off correctly in canter each time.