Show Jumping tips... For comp this weekend***

Hey guys im going to a pony club show jumping comp on the weekend with my new lil darling boy buddy, he's a 13.2HH Brumby. It's my first comp & im really nervous, I know if im nervous over the weekend then 1 that will make our 'performance', worse than it's already going to be lol ;) . So what are you tips to being cool carm & collected & doing our best? What can I do so that buddy will feel relaxed as well in this new, 'show' environment? Any help would be great, Im Sh**ing my pants lol :P

Love Brooke...

P.S. We're jumping 'E' grade. (small I know) but im bad at jumping, Haven't really done any of it other that this year at Pony club & Pony Club camp.

Xoxo thanks guys

Talk to MIEventer !

OK cool thanks should I just send an email??

How fun! Remember to breathe!!! Lol...When you get nervous you tend to tense/tighten your body up. Try to count your rhythm. Try to think positive!! Instead of thinking you are going to have a bad performance, think about how much fun you are going to have. It doesn't matter how big or small the jumps are, you have to start somewhere. Concentrate on having a good time. Keep your focus on you and your horse and what you are doing and not on things outside the ring. Good luck! I look forward to hearing how it went!

Thanks heaps, Im looking forward to telling you how it went! Lol

Singing alway helps! Stay outr of the way of the other pony clubbers, don't sit on his back all day long, don't shout at him, stay relaxed smile :) let him graze and don't leave him too long in your trailer. If he whinnys ignore it, just concentrate on yourself, maybe lunge him first, if its possible warm up away from all the other competitors, oh and have a greta time!

Thanks!

You'll so fine! Just keep yourself hydrated and fed. If you are dehydrated and malnurished you will get shaky and on edge. I would acctaully not recomend talking you your mom and dad from the point you get in the saddle until you exit the arena. My mom started getting me nervous at my show! Just listen to your trainer and you will do great!

Yeah my mum wont be there anyway, neither will my dad, (it's my lil brothers 2nd birthday)

Ahhh, Pony Club! I remember the years I spent in Pony Club, and I remember PC Rally's and all that fun stuff.

There will always be nerves at comps. I've been Eventing since the 90's, and I still get nervous. It is natural and even GP level riders get nervous - so no worries.

Just be sure you are prepared. That is the best case senario to staying somewhat cool and collected. Prepare, prepare, prepare.

At the comp, make sure you walk your courses as much as you possibly can, and ride the courses in your head as much as you possibly can - prepare.

Breathe.

You'll be a rack of nerves your first round - but once you get over the first couple of fences, you'll forget what you were so nervous about and just go with the flow. That's how it is for me.

AND It isn't the height of the fence that counts, it is the quallity of the fence that does.

There are people who are jumping beyond what they should be, but think they are good riders because they are jumping that height - when in reality they belong on the lunge line and over x rails - I would far rather see someone do an X rail with solid form and a strong foundation, than someone doing 3'0" with atrocious balance, form and equitation.

So who cares what height you are doing - remember to ride your horse, not the fence. Rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm.

You'll do fine - it is natural to go through jitters - it happens to the best.