Why am I doing this to myself?

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Tilda

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Good morning all

Today is the day I realise a 29 year dream and take my own horse show jumping for the first time and I am absolutely sick with nerves!

The class we are doing will be a maximum of 2ft and my superstar pony was regularly jumping 3ft 3 tracks with his previous owner which should be reassuring but I am scared I will mess it up for him! I am also worried that I might have to do the whole thing in trot because our canter transitions are a work in progress and I struggle to know when I am on the wrong leg so tips would be useful for this please.

I chose this event because it is run by a small local riding club but then I remembered a few people I know stable at the yard and are bound to be there with their whizz kid children who will probably laugh at me! I am aware how pathetic this sounds and I am hoping once I get busy with loading, signing in etc I will be ok.

Both my YMs are coming with me as well as a good friend so I will have the best support, but YIKES!
 
Don't worry Tilda it will be ok and to be honest you can probably jump 2 ft out of a trot anyway. Most people at shows are too interested in them selves to take much notice of anyone else. Go for it , don't cut any corners, and enjoy yourself. Come back on tonight and let us know how you do.
 
Aw good luck
It doesn't matter if you trot round, it's supposed to be FUN!
Ignore the spectators, t least you're giving it a go!
If its your first go then at that height I'd not worry about the correct leg, as long as you always look to the next fence your pony should work it out and most will cope with jumping on the wrong lead occasionally.
Again, just keep smiling and good luck.
 
U won't mess it up for him. If he is as he sounds, he you get it wrong he will fix it. Try to relax so that he can enjoy it. It's a good choice of competition ignore everyone else. At that sort of competition round our way we try to support new competitors. I have been in the ring to give a lead round on my pony, stood and shouted encouragement at the kid who fell off 4 times but would not give up and cheered when she cleared final fence. I've also taken my little lad who had to be worked in in hand and ran away with me in the ring. That's what these shows are for. Getting started and fixing problems. Suck it up and get on, you'll enjoy it. Well done in advance. X
 
Is there a clear round you can enter a couple of times beforehand just to get rid of some of your nerves? Don't worry about which leg you are on at that height. Just sit up and kick!!

Best of luck .
 
Good luck! I have a massive phobia of riding infront of people i dont know- but i am going to be a hypocrite and say 'dont worry what anyone else thinks of how you chose to go round the course'. Trot if you want to trot, but above all else ENJOY the day, breathe and smile! Look forward to an update tonight!!
Elle x
 
Good luck! Sure noone will say anything.

After a huge confidence knock myself I went to a local show last weekend and just did the clear round when last year at the last show I did the 3' and 3'3!

Everyone will be very helpful and nice and remember to have fun!!! And trot is fine it surprising how much spring they have in trot :)
 
We did our first jumping comp last month, first time loud speakers, arena, other horses around - and the photographer actually helped us to get round in some sort of order, I was so nervous :o

But once we'd done it, OMG the smiles - I swear even the boy had a huge grin he was so pleased with himself !
 
Haha Tilda, been there - wondered the same thing! I ended up having a fab time, even though I was white knuckle through the whole of it!
Remember the more you do it the less daunting it will be, I promise :)
 
at that kind of height your pony can probably even jump it from a standstill. so if you feel nervous make sure you have a neck strap on and sit up and kick on :) just aim to get him to the middle of the fences and let him do his job from there! if you get to your class early its normally quieter and so you will have less busybodies to deal with, and you can just go and treat it like a practice session
 
You'll be fine Hun. Smile and breath
I will probably be in the same boat in 2 wks time. New horse arrives Monday and he has only done 2 clear rounds and I've got talked into doing sj on 4 July. EEK
 
Thanks for all the support everyone you are a great bunch! Well we survived and better than that we got 2 double clears and came 2nd in the first class out of 2 lol but I was just glad we got round and came 1st out of 4 in the second class :)

My boy was amazing! It was indoor and some of the turns were very tight at one point I was preparing to carry on passed a jump as our angle was all wrong but he sort of went 'it's alright mum we can get over that' and we did.

I am so lucky to have such a fab horse :D I nearly fell off on my lap of honour when he threw in a little buck lol!

Can't wait for the next one now :)

Will attempt to post pictures later x
 
The answer to why am I doing this to myself, because you will feel AMAZING when its all over :D Best of luck! This will be me in September hopefully!

I took my new mare in her first ever inhand show in April, I was terrified! I am just backing her now so hope to have a go around a little minimus course at the last show of the season :)

I'd just like to add before I get jumped on she is a 9 year old ex broodmare, not a youngster. x
 
Thanks everyone and good luck Emma for when it's your turn I can now confirm it is the best fun ever :)
 
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