Your most embarrassing fall...

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Paddydou

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Come on Fess up we have all had them! Lets all have a good giggle and laugh at ourselves.

I'll start everyone off.

Many years ago, when I weighed in at half my size now and I was very fit, a friend asked me to help with their pony. Said pony was 12.3hh and being a wee bit lazy, and, as I was at the time rehabilitating horses and reschooling them (and doing a pretty good job, my riding standard was higher then than now) I saw no problem in this favour.

All was going well, I was sweating buckets and we discovered that pony could actually move very well, had some fantastic training in the past and could easily so some novice dressage and win. I was expalining what I was doing and why I was doing it as I was going round so that her very capable owners could incorperate so different ideas into their schooling as we all came to the conclusion that lazy pony wasn't actually lazy just bored stiff of teh same old thing. Lazy pony and I were doing the canter 20m trot 10m walk 5m circles to get her transitions a bit sharper and help her remember to flex etc. As we went into walkI was still nattering away and I realised that I was off balance a little too late to correct myself. Sadly there not being much to hold onto and my legs already being wrapped around as much pony as possible I started to slide off. I came to a very nice square halt...

"What are you doing now?" I was asked...

"Oh just falling off" I replied as I gracefully slid into a heap on the floor!

What a plonker I felt (and yes many years on I am still not allowed to forget it!)
 
Twice in one lesson. Off two different horses...:o in the rain so there was no hiding it either, was covered in sand from head to toe:eek:

My non-horsey uncle was watching, I think he was a bit traumatised! To this day he asks me if I've fallen off after every ride.:p

He also made me sit on a black bin liner all the way home to protect his car:rolleyes:
 
Taking all our ponies up to the top field at end of day, my friend and I were playing the 'i bet you can't...' game. I got a little overconfident and said 'i bet I can mount this pony (12hh NF) by just swinging my leg over his back, left foot remaining on ground'. Friend encourages me to try it, so whilst dressed in shorts and vest with trainers and no hat I swing leg and successfully mount pony, hurrah! (please don't tell me off for not wearing a hat, I know its irresponsible)

Pony suddenly remembers he's only 4 and backed that spring, and that a rider considerably heavier than his usual 6 year olds has lumbered onto his back decides this is a terrifying ordeal and he must take off at a gallop whilst bucking. Pony promptly ditches me on the gravel and returns to his docile state, calmly picking at some grass on side of track with a 'You asked for that lady' look on his face.

I pick myself up and survey my grazes (whole backside of my body basically due to silly attire) and turn around to see a group of about twelve horrified children who had witnessed the whole incident. Needless to say they all learned the importance of safety equipment when riding and I'm sure won't be as silly as I was!! I ate my humble pie that evening.
 
Lol
This thread is one to watch

I've not had any particularly embarassing ones. but when I jumped my first double I forgot to use my leg, so we went over the first, and aiming towards second I had instructor shouting "Leg! LEG! USE YOUR LEGGGG!" but I'd froze in fear so I couldnt.
So we got to the fence, horse slowed right down before stopping, so would have been easy to sit up and stay on.
But no. I flew straight down her shoulder and onto the jump
I used my leg the second time round lol
 
Pottering down sandy foot/bridlepath on reliable former riding school pony. Leaned over to let dog off lead. Couldn't quite reach so went on leaning, a bit more, a bit more, a bit more and DOOF! On the floor, pony skedaddles with saddle at 45 degrees, dog looking at me like I'm a fool. Talk about self-inflicted!
 
I was at an RS, on a little thoroughbred who was very sharp and would bronc if another horse cantered past him. They usually used him for private lessons but wanted someone confident to get him used to groups. I had no problem sitting the bucks and as we were walking off the instructor said how well I had done with him.

A few seconds later the girl on the horse behind me said my name. I looked around to see what she wanted, the horse stepped sideways in the other direction, and I just slid off! Yep, I fell of in walk. :D
 
Out alone on my pony riding a bridle path that we'd done many a time.

There is a lone oak tree in the middle of a field. As I walk towards it, I notice lots of pigeons sat underneath, which seemed a bit strange. As I get closer, I expect them to fly off, nope, there they sat.

Then, pony did a swift spin and I ended up spread eagle in the plough. Ooh, I was muddy!!!

As I get back on, I see a bloke in full camouflage gear ...... he was a bloody twitcher who had been in a portable hide he'd set up near a hedge.

He looked very sheepish as we snorted our way past him :o:D
 
wasn;t actually on a horse at the time but was out hunting just a very small mounted field me, my friend and the huntsman. A swaledale tup had his horns caught round some plain wire in a fence and was panicking so being a bit agriculturally minded i though i'd be all clever jumped off pony threw reins to friend and ran across field to tup unhooked him and let him go started to run back to horses that were waiting for me and got boots caught in long grass falling prostrate face down infront of huntsman, didnt even put hands out to stop myself at which point hounds all gamboll up to see what this pile of human is doing sticking their noses in my ear and contemplating where abouts to cock their legs on me first. Friend and huntsman both wetting themselves as well as the rest of the unmounted followers arriving just in time !
 
SusannaF said:
Pottering down sandy foot/bridlepath on reliable former riding school pony. Leaned over to let dog off lead. Couldn't quite reach so went on leaning, a bit more, a bit more, a bit more and DOOF! On the floor, pony skedaddles with saddle at 45 degrees, dog looking at me like I'm a fool. Talk about self-inflicted!
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I actually have tears of laughter streaming down my face!

I have done this as well! I didn't land on the floor, so technically not a fall but had to guide horse up to a tree so I could push myself back on! What made me think I could reach a JRT from a 17hh I have no idea!
 
dalesslave said:
wasn;t actually on a horse at the time but was out hunting just a very small mounted field me, my friend and the huntsman. A swaledale tup had his horns caught round some plain wire in a fence and was panicking so being a bit agriculturally minded i though i'd be all clever jumped off pony threw reins to friend and ran across field to tup unhooked him and let him go started to run back to horses that were waiting for me and got boots caught in long grass falling prostrate face down infront of huntsman, didnt even put hands out to stop myself at which point hounds all gamboll up to see what this pile of human is doing sticking their noses in my ear and contemplating where abouts to cock their legs on me first. Friend and huntsman both wetting themselves as well as the rest of the unmounted followers arriving just in time !
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I think this one counts anyway!
 
18 years ago I did my first (and only) mock hunt. The horse I shared was a superstar who would jump anything.

Coming out of some woods over a pile of sleepers, the horse in front of me refused. I pulled up and was asking if there was another way out, when my horse decided he didn't need another way and cat leapt it from a standstill, dumping me the other side.

The pony I had before that was a round barrel of a 13.2hh. One day I decided to vault onto her bareback in the fieid, and being used to bigger horses, I over sprung and went straight over the other side, landing in a heap on the floor.
 
few years ago i was out riding on my very wide cob and had riding boots on that fastend with laces. me and my mare went through a gate and i didnt realise that i actually got my laces stuck on the gate. my horse carried on walking through and i ended up on her bum and then on the floor with my foot still attached to the gate. my mare stopped and turned her head towards me and looked at me as to say what the hell are you doing down there. obviously i have still not lived this down as there was quite a few of us out on the ride
 
Riding H in the school, with OH giving commands..errm instructing, when two friends turn up to join in. We stop, have a quick chat and then H and I set off again. I squeeze him on to a canter (as commanded) and am told to 'keep him going, keep him going...you're doing well'.

As we approached the watching group for the third time H cannot resist any longer and performs a handbrake left turn. I on the other hand did not, and I sail serenely on until gravity takes it's toll and I crash land right in front of the watching group.
 
Ohhh loving this thread :D

I was jumping a slightly nervous and inexperienced haflinger mare called Gretel. There was a challenge going round seeing who could jump her over the wall first.. So guess what I was trying? :p Either way, she didn't want to jump it on her own, so I followed on from another pony and I jumped it with about a foot to spare!



Only to fall off the other side!!!! I have no idea.. I just sort of slid off in shock...? Cue my instructor to wet herself laughing, chase after Gretel and help little old me up with a very dazed smile on my face which only made her laugh harder! :D :rolleyes: I still have no idea why and how I fell off..! :p


Another time was on the same horse, and we were jumping just a plain upright with a scary filler underneath. All the other horses didn't bat an eyelid, Gretel hated it however. So I rode strongly towards it, lovely canter in a steady rhythm. It was fine until the takeoff point. I was all set to fold as she started the jump.. but it never happened. She just stood there bug eyed at the filler! Instructor said turn back.. Well, I put my leg on her and she exploded over the jump leaving me behind!! I was leaning slightly over to my right to turn around and have a laugh with the instructor while getting myself together to attempt it again! Gretel had other ideas. I landed on my right side in a wet patch on the sand school, looking very bemused to see the pony galloping on the other side of the jump :D Got back on to see the rains had snapped about half way to leave to separate ends. Knotted them together and jumped it perfectly :D xx
 
These are great!

A few years ago I had a chestnut mare on loan, she had come from a dressage yard and done pretty much zilch jumping! So my instructer decides itd be a good idea to put me and her in a group jumping lesson where she was teaching some younguns to jump!
Started off with 3 trot poles on the ground, approached lovely, then she hunched up and leapt over them all!!!! I swiftly departed to the right! Couldnt stand up for laughing!
 
When I was about 16 i rode my friends horse in a fun pony games comp in a local show, it was against children under 12 and i was getting very competitive! Turned her pony round the pole thin king she would turn tighter than she did and came flying off into long grass, the grass just started shaking with me laughing! so embarasing.
 
Mine has to be my first jump!

It had to be about 25cm tall, the weeniest x pole you have ever seen! I was on the amazing Bonnie Coblet, so pointed her at jump, held onto pommel (!) and off we go! Cue me being way too far forward and out I come the side door, landing on my ample backside, a bit dazed, while Bonnie is stood staring at me wondering how On earth I got there!

Needless to say I have never lived this down, it was in a group lesson and I was covered head to toe in sand for the rest of the day!
 
When I did my work experience in Newmarket, I celebrated my 18th birthday. The trainer put me on Espresso Time-a horse with the biggest buck I have ever seen, and had off everyone who sat on him. To say was a bit apprehensive was an understanement, but I was 18 and thought bring it on, you only live once.

I was instructed to stick to the trotting rings with one other horse while the others went up the gallop. Said horse bucked his heart out, but I was riding with my stirrups long and managed to sit every buck and was feeling a bit pleased with myself, and was getting complimented by the other riders on the trotting rings saying things like "well sat" "rather you than me" and "bloody hell-could you see his toes then!!"

The rest of the lot joined us after about half hour and we walked back to the yard, he was still frisky and throwing a couple of little bucks out but nothing too terrifying (well now I would be bricking it lol).

Got back to the yard and was walking across the green on a loose rein nattering to the cocky yard jockey about how I'd stayed on and was feeling a bit full of myself and being VERY cheeky as cockey jockey had come off him the day before. All of a sudden completely out of nowhere the bloody thing leapt into the air, bucked and unseated me, then again with a bloody corkscrew added in and then I was on my arse! This set off the cocky jockeys horse and he ended up on the grass with me!

I just sat there on the grass PMSL. As did everyone else. Without a doubt my funniest fall!
 
I was out riding my 16.3hh gelding, Tosh, when I saw a sheep stuck in some fencing. Thought I'd be a good samaritan and save it so we stopped and I leant forward ready to dismount. Tosh put his head down at that moment and I slid headfirst down his neck and landed in a heap on the ground. Just then a walker appeared and asked if there was anything wrong, I explained about the sheep but when we looked in the field it had managed to free itself. I don't think he believed me!
 
Not so much falling off, as where the ******* did my horse go!?
In summer, I like to take the horses swimming; it's good for keeping them fit, while not getting them too hot, or being too boring. So last year (having already been swimming a few times in this spot) off I went on B, with a friend on Hobby.
To get into the water where you can swim, horses have to jump down a little lip in the water, which is fine, B's stride is so large you can hardly feel it! Unfortunately, this day, getting out of the lake, B decided to jump up the ledge, which is unusual, normally we just walk out... So unusual that as I'm not holding on or paying any attention I just slide off his bum, and into the water!
 
Took my horse into the school to warm up before my lesson and before my RI had arrived. Was feeling properly smug as I had managed to time things perfectly and had about 20 mins to warm up before lesson started so there would be plenty of time for my horse to gawp at all the horse eating sheep, jumps, trailers etc that are around the outside of our school (obviously they remain a threat at all times despite being there ALL the time:rolleyes:). We had warmed up well - walk, trot, canter bending etc etc and I saw my RI arrive and waved to her as we walked around on a long rein.:)

Horse decides to spook (not that big either:rolleyes:) at the jump ends in the corner of the school and I just sort of wobbled off and landed on my bum!!:eek: RI was nearly crying she was laughing so hard - horse just had a resigned look on his face........:rolleyes::rolleyes::D:D:D
 
OK cannot believe I’m going to post this on tinternet….oh the shame…..

HT at Chilham last year – v v v nervous sat in back of YO’s lorry I found a bottle of cherry brandy. ½ a bottle later I felt slightly better. Hopped on, but start time was delayed by about 45 mins, by which time I REALLY needed the loo…….can you guess where this is going?? So off we go eventually, get to fence 4 (nasty jump thru), horse stops but jumps from standstill, we get all out of shape but make it over, but about 2 strides after fence horse loses traction and skids right over – I smack into the ground and as I hit the ground….yes...... I pee’d myself.

Photographer comes running over shouting ‘OMG are you OK you hit the ground really hard!’ – my leg was really hurting but all I could think to shout was ‘I JUST WET MYSELF!!!!!’
 
shysmum said:
sorry but I'm soooooooooo embarrassed by mine, I can't put it in writing. One to forget forever :eek:
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G'wan!

I have just remembered one from a long long long time ago when I were a wee lassy.

Jumping in the school with some others and as I went over the jump one of the others hadn't noticed and turned in front of my pony and I on the other side. Pony landed as I sailed over his head and landed feet still in stirups, reins still in hand, still in jumping position on my head under his neck!

If I can fess up to falling off a small pony at halt I am sure you can! Give us all a giggle! We won't hold it against you!
 
One year at Pony Camp I got a little bit too cocky when messing about over a grid of showjumps.

We'd done holding a glass of water over them and other games, when I told everybody I had once done a grid doing the YMCA (which I had about 2 years previously on a rather large piebald cob) and everybody demanded to see it!

So off I set to the grid, Y over the first, then M, then C and finally A. Everybody clapped and I turned to laugh at everyone when my horse decided she wasn't going to follow the track, turned back on herself and threw me off to the side.

I ended up lying on my side completely winded with everyone in stitches... very embaressing!!!
 
Oooh I just found the link as well its still on line if anyone wants a laugh - thankfully low res so you cant zoom in and see my pee stain.

Please, no critique of my riding - horse had stopped then did an enormous leap - so the term 'left behind' is an understatement!!

Hope this works - click thru the link. OH THE SHAME!!!!!!!

http://www.jgphotographer.co.uk/gallery/090517Class3/090517_1379
 
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