Why do people like XC?

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sam_

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Just sitting chatting to a friend a breakfast and she often likes to bring up the subject of the time she hired out the local xc for some schooling and asked if I fancied joining her, I thought why not, we jump the logs in the woods when out hacking this could be fun!
It wasn't.
We got there warmed up etc. popped the log a few times all was well, then we were ready to move on, there was 3 height options for most of fences and some of them just looked terrifying and I'm standing there watching as my friend soars over everything with ease, we came to a simple looking tyre fence and thought let's do that one, in our poncy showjumping stride and my poncy horse jumped about 6 ft over the thing!
She's telling me to ride more forward blah blah blah and all I was thinking why the hell would I want to be nearly galloping towards a solid object it gives me genuine fear( I like fences that fall down clearly!)
The most annoying thing is to she makes it look effortless! While me and my horse were being wimps together lol!
So what thrills can you possibly get from galloping around a course of scary, imposing, solid fences!

I could go on about my experience that day but you would be here a while!
 
What thrill? THE thrill! There's nothing else that comes close to XC in my opinion. I'd much rather jump a huge solid obstacle than a big SJ fence, not sure why - I think its the thought of all those poles falling onto me. I'd merrily jump any height XC but SJ I have my "happy" limit which is probably a bit smaller than the XC. XC is only fun though when you've got a decent horse you trust, never fun on a stopper ;)
 
MagicMelon said:
What thrill? THE thrill! There's nothing else that comes close to XC in my opinion. I'd much rather jump a huge solid obstacle than a big SJ fence, not sure why - I think its the thought of all those poles falling onto me. I'd merrily jump any height XC but SJ I have my "happy" limit which is probably a bit smaller than the XC. XC is only fun though when you've got a decent horse you trust, never fun on a stopper ;)
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This!! I am another who when I get my "bravepants" on, would much rather gallop round a decent sized XC course than SJ at any great height! not on a stopper though , quite agree..lol
xc riding is very different to show jumping and you have to almost unlearn all your SJ training/habits to go XC properly, I find.
 
I'm hoping to hire my local XC course next year (Would have done it sooner, but I had a lame horse and I had no idea it was within hacking distance!!)

I'm really nervous about it, but far too excited as well!

As Arizonahoney says - maybe have a lesson sometime? When I have a little more money, I'm hoping to get one :D
 
We've only done little XC schooling with a few of the larger ones thrown in but not the enormous ones. I find it really exhilarating and my horse thinks it's the best fun ever to hurtle around brakeless locking onto ever bigger obstacles.
 
I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie! My previous horse loved going fast in a field of XC jumps, it was like a lightbulb switched on when he saw the fences. He jumped much better (and bigger) with a bit more speed. Thats not to say he was bad SJ, as he wasn't, but it wasn't as easy for him to see strides, and get the speed and space he needed in to a jump.

XC you pretty much sat there, with a squeeze before the jump, SJ you often had to ride much more firmly into a fence as he backed off more.
 
I don't jump very big but it's fab to boul round a course of jumps in the open fields and even better with a friend, haven't done much of it but defo want to do more! It seems less hassle than SJ as you don't have to pick the jumps up if you catch them, you can go at your own speed and have plenty of space :D
 
I think if I was ever to do it again it would have to be on a horse that's been there and done it defininetly!
Although my horse didn't stop at anything, the jumps that we did try we were going into orbit lol!
It was an interesting experience for the both of is anyway!!
 
I like the feeling of almost physical sickness going into a big hedge out hunting, and then the absolute adrenaline of getting over it. I would say though, as much as I love XC and I love speed, I would not be jumping anything out of control in an almost gallop without knowing the horse was with me - that is dangerous.
 
I'm another that prefers a solid fence to a show jump? I have no idea why..

I can jump huge cross country, put a show jump up to that height and I'd not want to do it?!
 
I've alwas found xc much easier than showjumping. However, I must admit that I stick to small stuff and a steady pace these days - my team chasing days are well and truely over, but they were fantastic while they lasted!
 
I am not very brave so I prefer XC because there is more space between jumps to sort myself and horse out before the next one! SJ, especially indoors, the jumps come up very quick and because my mare is only little she often struggles with the striding.

But we are neither of us as young as we used to be so we only do tiny courses now anyway :)
 
Cos it's fun!!

Nothing like riding a horse who really enjoys xc and what's not to like - going fast and jumping! :)


Having a horse in gallop and jumping out of their stride with no adjustment from you is one of the best feelings on earth :D
 
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Not done it for years but my horse definitely preferred being allowed to really move on towards the fences than being adjusted, found his own stride really easily and I just held on patted him ALOT and kept sayin Good Boy through a huge grin!
 
Im the same as OP on this; terrified of solid fences and those house type fences SCARY! Im surrounded by people who love XC and I just cant see why…the idea of going at a decent pace towards something which isn’t going to fall does not appeal to me in the slightest! Maybe i need to take the new one over some obstacles and re-evaluate. I’d much rather be show jumping but after a recent lesson I think I may stick to dressage.
 
My (now sadly ex) share horse and I once did an indoor cross country in a rather large school... it was a disaster! we got stuck between two logs, galloped past a log with a horses head stuck to it, knocked the top of the 'wall' fence and he then proceeded to eat the haybale jump... I was a nervous wreck though before I went in so that didnt help lol I looked a complete div (and not a rider of 20+ years!) but neither of us had done it before so i suppose its kudos for trying lol

When I get my own I hope to try it outside because it looks like so much fun!
 
MagicMelon said:
What thrill? THE thrill! There's nothing else that comes close to XC in my opinion. I'd much rather jump a huge solid obstacle than a big SJ fence, not sure why - I think its the thought of all those poles falling onto me. I'd merrily jump any height XC but SJ I have my "happy" limit which is probably a bit smaller than the XC. XC is only fun though when you've got a decent horse you trust, never fun on a stopper ;)
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This in spades! I absolutely love XC! So exhilarating and fun :smile3: Who couldn't love it?!
 
You are all mad lol! Apart from you SparkleB we seem to be on the same page here, that coming towards a solid object at a good pace is more terrifying than exhilirating haha!
I have been to a few events with my friend(spectating obviously) and everytime she finishes a good XC round, she couldn't grin any bigger if she tried and all i say, being the supportive friend that i am is 'well done, i'm so pleased for you. You are still off your head.' then carry on sipping my pimms :P
I have also witnessed some spectacular falls which i use to back up my 'Your all mental' theory!
 
I have only started XC for the first time this year and am loving it. Finding it difficult still to keep staing in you stirrups but other then that amazing!
Did one XC event and one eventers challange got home with a rosette both times and can't wait to go again next year.
Took some time to get the courage. But once I did some of the bigger solids I got bitten by the bug!
 
Kikke said:
I have only started XC for the first time this year and am loving it. Finding it difficult still to keep staing in you stirrups but other then that amazing!
Did one XC event and one eventers challange got home with a rosette both times and can't wait to go again next year.
Took some time to get the courage. But once I did some of the bigger solids I got bitten by the bug!
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That's the problem I had on my little outing, my friends telling me to say out the saddle and this, that and the next thing but whenever I was approaching the fence I found myself sitting back in the saddle and adjusting the stride, probably why he was jumping everything HUGE!!
I did do a couple of fun xc things when I was younger on ponies, but I was young, fearless and indestructable! And I recall it being tiny stuff lol!
 
Mithras said:
Faster riding with controlled impulsion is a wonderful feeling. And I like the variety of obstacles.
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I wish I shared all your enthusiasm! But for me watching it is just fine, not sure I will ever get 'the bug' I'll be sticking to the fences that fall down lol
 
I don't really have much confidence jumping, but prefer XC to SJ on current horse. SJ she goes flat out, XC she steadies up a lot and I feel much more in control. Plus it's nice to have a blast across open ground. We never jump anything huge (intentionally!!) and I like how you can pick and choose XC. We don't compete in any jumping stuff any more, I've lost my jumping bottle.

I will always remember going round Offchurch chasers course though. They have a track which is under a canopy of trees, and along it is just jump after jump after jump. We were cantering along, and I was picking which jumps I wanted to do, weaving in and out of ones I didn't, and could see 3 ascending rails ahead, they didn't look too big so off we went towards them. It was on the last stride I realised how big they were. All I thought was leg on, go with it, just go with it! Each rail was about a foot apart width wise from the previous, and the biggest rail was about a metre. Feeling how much ping the little black mare has, and then her stretch out over it was so exhilarating! In the strides up to it, I felt so sick, but the adrenaline after was awesome. We did a big skinny and the water jumps after, and then the rest were little logs and barrels. So much fun!
 
I agree with the op! I much prefer jumps that fall down.

I've been riding for 25 years and never ever jumped a XC fence! Tho fellow rc members are trying to persuade me to try!

Popping a log in the woods on a hack is one thing but actually, willingly directing your horse at one of those things.................... You are all MAD! :D

I do however love watching XC. And regularly am a crossing point steward at events!
 
why do I like xc.. because my horse actually gets a bit tired and jumps nicely instead of exploding and getting over excited :D haha, well tbh I just love the drops and water elements, makes it seem like a great challenge and although it may sound a bit silly- an adventure ! as opposed to going round a ring, you are out travelling through the course :)
 
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