Thursday, July 30, 2009

How to imporve for my next show?

I just placed a close second in a horse show with two girls who were clearly better, but the girl in 3rd place's horse just refused a jump. So, I want to do some ways to improve for my next one. I will probably be jumping higher and will be competing against more people.
I also need some more help. Almost all the shows I will do, will be against my sister. Right now, I am a little better at jumping and have jumped higher. I haven't jump enough high jumps to compete higher and we take lessons together, so we will always jump about the same thing. I jumped, cantered, and did most thigs first though. I am afraid what to do if I beat her, or lose to her.
Answers:
I think something you need to work on, that most girls fail to address, as do most instructors, is the mechanics. When I say mechanics I mean go back to the basics. It doesn't matter if you are a hunter or a jumper if you cannot control your horse, if you cannot fine tune, then in the end you cannot jump.
It really doesn't matter how high your fences are if you aren't doing them correctly. Jumping without mechanics is what leads to missed moments in jumpers as well as refusals all around. Going too high before you are ready to guide your horse properly leads to refusals like that other girl. Your horse needs to be able to listen to your hands and seat with very soft aids. He also must submit to your leg, try asking your instructor to do some lateral work. He needs to be able to collect and extend so you can pace your jumps and get him lined up and well timed. If your trainer cannot teach you this you need a new trainer.
One major weakness of young riders is not their seat but their lack of control. They are often given horses that know what to do so you can win by showing that you too know what you are doing, not just hopping over the fence. Many rural showers think lead changes are an automatic winner. I presume, by your use of "girls," that you are young and your horse knows what he is doing so take some time to ride many different horses and work on your ability to control and manipulate their gaits between jumps. When it comes to the jumping, he'll do his job if you've done yours.
Regarding your sister, you should both want to do well and you should be her biggest cheerleader as she is yours.
Also DO NOT ask the judge about other riders. You can ask regarding your own performance but never, ever ask in regards to another. Its is poor show manners and the judge will not forget it...
the only thing i can say is.. practicing and getting better takes time. cant rush it. dont focus so much on winning, and focus more on doing it the right way and then everything falls into place. just have fun with it.
well if you are going to compete together then you have to accept that at some point one of you will lose to the other and so be a good sportsman and just dont worry about it but lose graciously or if you win then just dont make a fuss about it and rub her face in it.
just go out there and i know there is a lot of pressure out there but you must just go out and enjoy the experience of the competition, regardless of whether you win or lose.
just jump higher jumps make sure your heals are down towns AREN'T OUT work on flying lead changes
I think that if you really want to win, you have to push your self, get some time to your self and just go for it!! just take it one blue at a time!! lol but if you really want to beat your sister, build your jumps a littler higher each time! but make sure that when you push your self your not pushing your horse to hard, dont exceed 1hr 30min in training, if you do your horse will never jump the way you want her to again.
Let the best man win. In other words, if you trained more than she, and put in extra effort, then she has no right to be mad if you win. And if she puts more effort in than you, then she desrved to win. And if you win, she just has to accept that you deserved it.
I have this sign in my barn. "Practice to Play, not Play to Practice". It reminds me that in order to get better and have more fun at shows (since winning is always more fun), I have to practice harder at home. And since you are competing against your sister, you can make this more fun instead of worrying about winning over her or losing to her. Challenge her and have her do the same to you. Want an incentive to practice? Make a bet with her that whoever wins, the other has to do her chores for a week. Good Luck!
One thing I had to learn when I was showing, was that it's not about winning. It's not about winning. It's not about winning. (Sorry, I have to remind myself)
You work hard, go out there and do your best. I've (almost) learned to be happy when we had a good ride. Sometimes, you can have the ride of your life, but the judge just doesn't care for you or your horse. Maybe you saw another horse mess up, but the judge didn't. Sometimes it's even political. You do your best with your horse that day.
When I was younger, my siblings and I showed dogs in Jr Handling. There were 4 of us and 4 ribbons given out in a class. My favorite times are when we took them all. It didn't matter who won, we were happy for each other.
So listen to you instructor and work hard. Go out to have a good ride and have FUN! If you beat your sister, tell her she had a good ride (if she did) and it was fun competing together. If she beats you, tell her the same thing.
Have fun.
Next time you place below somebody , or even if you place first, go to the judge.Most shows will allow it but some will not so find out first if you can. After all your classes go to the judge and ask her/him why you placed below the other person and what you could do to improve..
do exerices to improve your balance and reflexes also spend quality time with your horse if other ppl ride it watch them ride her dont watch the ppl watch the horse the better you know your horse the better you can decide if she/he can take that tight corner and still make it clear also you see all their little habits like if she flickes her ears right before she refuses or something just dedicate yourself to your riding and then your sister cant be mad if you win and if you lose to her still then just be a good sport
ride it every day
well just keep practicing and the more u practice the better u get. My horse is getting better at jumps because i just keep practicing and every once in awhile i put it up a little. so she gets use to it better.

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