My First Show of the Season Is Coming Up and I Am Terrified of Jumping/cantering Downhill?
my first show of the season is coming up on sunday. and i am terrified of cantering and jumping on a downhill slope. i now own a medium sized quarter horse cross, and he has been great for SOME of my confidence building. he has done novice in the past, but i am doing beginner-novice with him this year. i am okay cantering and jumping uphill, but it seems like i am always fighting for control on the cross-country course. my instructor has me ride with a running martingale and a slow twist corkscrew bit, but he is still very strong.
the facility where my show will be held offers cross-country practice the saturday before, which i will be attending, but i have only done the course once before, and the last time i did it my horse was terrible and was scaring me a bit (but i didnt have my martingale or corkscrew bit on at the time)
my main concern is control. when my horse jumps or canters uphill, he gets strong, and fights for his head. sometimes, when we approach a jump, he will speed up and try to pop me in the saddle, so he can take off galloping. so what i usually do to try to get him to stop, is try to tire him out as quickly as possible, which makes him less willing to speed up.
what i would really like to know is how can i have more control of my horse? in the dressage arena and stadium jumping he is a star, but on the cross country course he tends to get overly excited. i wanted to try to get out of the show and just do the practice, but my mom already paid the show fee.
and also, is there anyway for me to build my confidence on the cross country course? i know its probably some of my nerves making my horse jumpy.
any advice helps, thanks
Dressage Arena – Dressage Riding Arena
- Leather German Martingale
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My horse also tends to get strong on the cross country course. Many do. What you need to do when he gets strong and out of control is STOP. At beginner novice, there is no time limit. So, take all the time you need to be safe. If you need to circle, that is okay. If you need to trot, that is okay too. In fact, I strongly suggest that you trot your downhill jumps. You can even come down to a walk if you need to. But you must not let your horse continue to pull you around the course. Every single time that he gets strong, you need to shut him down with a downward transition. If a half halt at the canter gets him back, fine. If trotting gets him back, fine. If he still pulls in trot, take him to walk. Make him halt if you need to. You don’t have to be mean, you just have to say ‘look you forgot the rules, I am in charge, let’s back up a step.’ When you have his attention again, proceed.
I think that you would be better served trying to keep is attention with transitions on course and circles when necessary instead of trying to tire him out. Cross country and a fatigued horse are a bad combination.
One of the reasons that going downhill is scary is because your horse is out of balance and on the forehand pulling you. Going downhill exacerbates this. So, just slow down to the trot. Also, on the downhills, you need to sit up more that your normal galloping position.
If you are going slowly on cross country, and it is perfectly legal to do so, just be aware that you may get overtaken. This is also fine, all you have to do is let the overtaking rider pass. They will usually give you a shout like ‘give way’ to let you know they are there.
To get more confidence on cross country, you need to get control on cross country by not letting your horse get away from you, even if that means taking a step back in your training for now. Also, get in as much cross country practice as you can.
hey how are you -ok so i ride a thoroughbred and boy is she a strong butt but i love her … So i tried many bits … You can try a flash or a figure 8 i link some pictures to you to show them to you… But I would Try a Corkscrew Fullcheek and a figure 8
The figure 8 shuts their mouth and jaw so they don’t grab the bit and run….
The flash shuts the mouth but not the jaw it is softer but strong…
So try both out on the cross country course and try lots of bits maybe a gag with a regular bridle a gag is VERY VERY VERY STRONG
Link to a flash bridle
https://www.sheepgatetackandtogs.co.uk/store/catalog/AerbornFlashBridleM.jpg
Link to a figure 8
http://www.eqtack.com/catalog/images/bridle_showcase/figure_8_bridle_large.jpg
Link to a Gag Bit
http://www.poloshop.ie/images/forTheHorse/Bridle&Accessories/Gag-Bit.jpg
ENJOY
When you go down hill sit as far back as you can so pull back and yell WOA and mean it and shorten your reins and GOOD LUCK
If you are only going beginner novice and are not too concerned about your score, just take it slow on cross country. Trot the whole thing if you want. At least trot the downhill sections, and rate him in between jumps. Remember that you can circle without penalty once you’re out of the penalty zone around each jump, and you can even bring him to a halt to start over with control.
Walk your course beforehand, at least twice. Once with your coach if she’s there, and once just by yourself. Develop your strategy as you go and try to pre-plan just what you’ll do and where. Also anticipate what your horse might do and what you’ll do to counteract that. Your confidence will increase with each course you complete successfully.
I started eventing my first horse when I was 13 and she was super fast at first, too. I would just let her run for the first three jumps or so then she was easier to rate. I wouldn’t recommend this strategy now – a controlled ride is a better/safer ride.