Worried I am rushing things, first comp on Sunday

madhector

madhector

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Well after the huge success with Jerry at the weekend XC schooling, everyone keeps telling me to get him out and about and give him something to focus on. He gets so wound up just schooling and hacking, that maybe its worth taking him somewhere now and doing something different.

So... there is SJ at The Jays this Sunday, only small, nothing scary, people keep telling me to take him. It will be his first ever ridden comp, and really not sure how he will react. I was thinking of taking him in something like the 2'3/2'6 to start with, but then thought it might be worth just trotting round the 2ft first just to give him more confidence even though he is very cocky over smaller jumps.

What do you think? I really don't want to rush things, but at the same time I want to keep him interested.

Thanks
 
I would take him and do the 2ft to give you both confidence. I was thinking f gonig to the jays have you been there before? Is it Nice. Otherwise go to Wix / NH for their clear round eves so you can take your time but my five year old goes to 2 ft to 2 ft 6 classes
 
Hmm, tricky one then. I think Id go an trot him round a nice small course to start then maybe step it up a gear in the following class IF he goes well.
Its such a difficult age isnt it, on one hand you want to keep them interested and get them doing things, but on the other hand you dont want to over do it a such a young age.
Ive been competing Arch since he was 4 and I wouldnt have done anything differently, with him, the more he goes out the better.
 
I wuld def get him out an about. With a horse like him I wouldnt do too much small stuff either- one or two baby shows and then you could prob start thinking of jumpings some BNs
 
Take him definitely, probably do him the world of good and he may back off a bit more when he's not at home (mine does!)
grin.gif
 
YO has The Jays on here list of nice safe places to take the babies out although usually for dressage/showing rather than SJ.

Just take him see how he gets on and start with which ever class you feel happiest with once you've arrived, seen the setup and sat on Jerry to determine how he's handling it all.
 
Go for it - he'll be fine - both of you will have some fun and are obviously perfectly capable. From the outside looking in, it seems to me some people are slightly 'anal' (up their own a**ses) about young horses and I'm never sure who is the most worried - the horse or the rider. lol
 
oh yes def take him, H is only 5 1/2 and is happily doing 3ft courses now, done a bit of xc and sj and he's fine. try not to over do it so far as too many comps in a row but just doing 2'3 i'm sure he'll be fine, gosh he could step over if necessary!like you say you can just trot round , at this stage its all about the looking about for them and taking in the atmos, go and have fun!
 
definately take him, the jays is excellent for the babies . we were there on sunday. there is usually a good turnout but the atmosphere is very relaxed and they have increased the size of the warm up area so no one gets in anyone elses way.it is very well run as well.they do build up to height which is nice for a local show,sunday starts at 1'6 - 1'9 and goes up to 3' i think.they dont usually get the fillers out until the 2'3 classes and even then none of them are scary. my friend is taking her horse on sunday as hes fairly new to this jumping lark and hasnt been out for a while. i was going to take my lot but cant guarentee that one of them will get on the lorry ! i will probably go and watch and get dragged into helping as often happens
have a look in PG (currently page 2) headed taylor and meg at the jays.there is some pics from there on sunday.if you want to see some more of the other jumps just PM me
 
Thanks for that, had a look, think we can manage that, he did scary fillers, barrels and a water tray in lessons before he broke my leg so hopefully he will remember, taking him over to Rob's in framsden on friday for a lesson so might have a little refresher
 
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