Controling nerves at a show.

When you compete at a show you could get very nervous. being nervous at a horse show can throw your performance off.

When you are going to a show make sure you can do as much work as possible the night before. You don't want to be running around early in the morning to clean tack or braid your horse when you could have done it the night before.

Make sure you get a good night sleep the night before. I know it is hard to sleep the night of a show. You don't want to be tired when you have to go into your round.

You want to make sure you eat some what healthy while you are at the show. It is hard to eat completely healthy when they only have fast food stands at the show. Try not too eat 3 burgers before your round. The more unhealthy you eat at the show the more likely you are to get sick while you are there. If you feel sick before your round make sure to drink some water.

When at the show I like to listen to music before my round to make sure I stay focused. I will try to stay busy when I'm at the show. If I know that I have to ride soon I will make sure that I focus on my course.

When I know I have lots of time before my class I like to take my horse for a walk around the show grounds to make sure he is calm with what is going on around. If he is nervous I will become more nervous.

Right before my class I like to take my time tacking up my horses. If I know my ride is in and hour and a half i will start to slowly clean up my horse to make sure any small patches of dirt are gone. I will start to tack up my horse. I always want a long time to slowly warm up my horse.

Most importantly when in the ring make sure you try to keep calm by breathing and focusing on your course.

~ Jaida
Give a horse what he needs and he will give you his heart in return.

How to memorize a Show Jumping course

When at a competition you will be giving the opportunity to look at the course usually a while before your class starts. Even professional riders will once and a while forget their courses.

• When you see your course is posted you should look at it immediately. If you have the chance either write down the course on a piece of paper or take a picture with a phone. Make sure when you look at it that you know where each jump is placed.

• When you are able to walk the course take the opportunity right away. the sooner you are able to memorise your course the easier it will be to remember while you are riding.

• When I try to remember my course I have to look at the colour of the jumps and not eh numbers. find out what helps you remember the sequence of the jumps.

• When you are walking the course you should try to see your problem areas and how you will over come them. pick out the areas early to make sure during the course you do not panic when you dont have a plan.

• It is also a good plan to to look at the jumps and say how you are going to ride it. Example, if you know you are doing a turn to the yellow jump you might think of how you are going to do the turn before the jump.

• If you have an expereanced rider with you ask them to walk the course with you to help.

~ Jaida
Give a horse what he needs and he will give you his heart in return.

Costa Rica

In April 2013, I was able to experience a Show Jumping competition that took place in Costa Rica. on April 9-13 we had the chance to ride a different horse and compete in an international show. On the Tuesday (9th) we where able to try out the horse they had chosen for us. On that day we were only able to flat the horses. On the Wednesday we were able to jump them. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday were the actual show days.

After each ride I would go over what went well in my rides. I would pick two specific things that I though I did well to ride the horse. Example, On the first day it was a speed round. On the second jump I was able to nicely ride a tight inside turn, we didn't drop the rail and I was able to us the proper aids to helped set the horse up for the turn. I would also say what two things I could have done better. Example, in the same round I got the horse to strung out and we jumped the jump too flat. If I would have sat back and whoaed before the jump we might not have drooped the rail. I would also see what things I could work on to make my next round better. Example, I would make sure that the next day I wouldn't let her run to the jumps and I would make sure I helped her pick up her feet.

While I was there I set a goal, My goal was to do better than last year. Last year I placed 10th on the first day, 4th on the second and 1st on the last. This year I wanted to place better than I did last year. Even though I set this goal I did not complete it. I didn't do better this year than I did last year. This year I placed 7th, 10th, and 10th.

Even though I set this gaol and didn't complete it, I will work harder this summer to try and get the opportunity to compete in Costa Rica in 2014. I have set goals this summer with my own horses and goals to work on with other horses to try and get invited to ride in Costa Rica again and complete my goal.

Enigma and I

Costa Rica 2013

 

 

~ Jaida
Give a horse what he needs and he will give you his heart in return.