Woo Hoo! and Ouch!

[Pidge]

Went to Stafford Riding Club yesterday and had a fab day, dressage pants, so went and did the starter stakes at 2'3", went clear and went for it in the jump off and came 2nd! Then decided to be brave and did the come and have a go challenge in the main ring - all 2'6" and most were parallels or spreads - had one stop at the pink pigs again

but then went on and jumped clear - not very pretty on my part and a few shrieks when he flew them but boy is he enjoying the 'new' confident(ish) mum when jumping, and we came 5th so was so chuffed

The ouch part is because he was so keen my left hand has swollen and is so painful. I ride him in a french link kk snaffle and cavesson but am loath to change it as you can control him in it, he just gets keen when jumping - ie I point and steer and leave the rest to him but now I'm a bit more confident he is even keener and really takes you to the fence. Do I leave him in this tack or consider changing it when jumping?

 

[wodger_woo]

Is he strong taking you to a fence or can you pull him up? Is he actually getting faster now? As its just your left hand thats sore is he actually stronger in the left rein (in which case he might need his teeth checking again)
TBH If you've had confidence issues (which sound like you are overcoming so well done) I would be tempted to mabe stick with what you've got and have a few gridwork sessions with your instructor, this will improve his and your confidence, it will also help him to become more athletic and steadier.

 

[Pidge]

He is strong to a fence but yes I can pull him up before them as trotted round a couple of the tighter turns. Bit faster now I'm more confident. He has always been stronger in the left rein, teeth get checked every 6 months, see new post as I've got a broken bone in hand from Sunday!