Napping at shows

[stumpedmum]

much, much better in the approach, still try to remain upright until those front feet come up. You need to really get the feel of this, and have it in your head when you are away from home, I used to say wait ..wait..wait whilst counting my strides to remind myself, eventually it becomes natural.

You may not have needed it at home, but I would work on being firmer with your leg. He looks plenty forward enough, but when he does decide to take the mick, you will need to know how to use your legs to the max. This doesn't mean flapping your legs like mad, but learn to use your lower leg muscles, and angle your heel to give an effective and powerful aid.

I am on a tiny notebook right now, so can't really see...but are you riding in a hanging snaffle? he looks much happier in this, and as far as I know they are allowed at shows. I would think about using this bit.

Thought you might get some use out of these videos -

this is Ben Maher, in my mind one of the best out there for riding style and precision, notice he is on a forward horse,m but if you check his legs infront of the fence, they are well into his horses sides. Also, look how quiet he sits between fences, and how he only comes forward as the horse lifts under him..

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmOhxzvOcwE

Geoff Billington...maybe not the most stylish but effective!! watch his legs!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICOqf6wHaoU

Obv these are all horses that really know their job, so you may have to be a bit more energetic at first until he gets the message and learns respect. Also to say, I would jump no more than 2-3 times a week, maximum! otherwise, he may become bored with it all.

Good luck!

[supercowpony]

thanks so much for that!
Yes I am riding in a hanging cheek snaffle, that's usually what I ride him in for everything, but for showing classes I ride in the pelham, and that day I decided to do the WH in it even though had only planned to do flat classes.
I have jumped him in it before at home, but probably it was a bit too much for him at the show, though it didn't seem to make much difference to how much he pulled my arms out!

I do know I have a tendency to take my leg off as he tends to be so forward! I am working on that at home, but obviously things tend to go backwards at shows! Am going to try and find some clinic and practice classes so I can have someone shouting at me!

[sparkle123]

I had EXACTLY this problem last year with my little novice whp, although he'd pick and choose which shows he decided to nap at and would never do it at home. We had a win at P(UK) summer champs around a big 90cm course, then the next week wouldn't get over the first fence! It took a long time, but I think we've sussed it now!
It started from him having a bad back Dec. 2010, and ducked out because of pain. This quickly developed into a habit! Once he was well again (and a new saddle!) he still napped, and most of the time got away with it as in the ring you get eliminated pretty quickly!!
I got a good instructor who came to shows/trainings with me, she rode him a couple of times and got really cross with him, something which I struggled to do ( not an aggressive rider!) We then worked out he prefers, in jumping, the more technical courses as in the windy, long ones he doesn't concentrate properly and naps, so we tried to focus on some of these types of courses for a while in an enclosed sand school. I started riding him in spurs, and although he went faster it meant when he did drop his shoulder I could give him a good kick!
It took months for me, but we just took it slowly and built it up, making everything as varied and chilled as possible, hunting him regularly, grid work etc etc. We knew he was just taking advantage, and after some good telling offs he finally learnt!! (fingers crossed!)
Don't give up, I'm so glad we didn't, try to keep positive and think ahead and be determined!
Hands wise, they look good, just keep them still and up, and work out which side he ducks out/spins, have the whip in this hand and be ready to give a pull with the other hand!! Good luck!

[sparkle123]

(Sorry, I keep remembering things!) Just before going into the ring, he used to get two sharp smacks behind then straight into the ring, and I would canter him round, on my knees out of the saddle just to get him going as forwards as possible as it's more difficult for him to nap. Growling is quite effective too, and big kicks/smacks when going away from home/collecting ring! This all sounds a bit harsh but it did work once I realised I needed to show him who's boss!