First Hunter Trials ever!!!
by Morgan
(UK)
I've got a pony but I'm taking my friend's horse to a Hunter Trials because she can't- she's embarrassed about beating the same opponent again-.
It's a 2'6 course and the horse I'm taking, Melody, is 14.2hh. She's a supposed Arabian cross but that's very doubted. Anyway, it's my first ever Hunter Trials and it's in April.
I am going to take her cross country to practice but Melody likes to go very fast. I've jumped up to 1m on her and she never refuses or runs out. Once she see's a jump, she fixes her gaze onto it and gains speed to clear it. But then she gains too much speed and takes off early or late. We've tried lunging her over jump, walking over jumps with her, everything.
She doesn't like half-halts and even though I still use them, she yanks her head down whenever you try. Please help! She likes to yank her head hard down when she does canter to trot, straight after a jump, cantering a circle, extending or collecting trot or canter, quite a lot. We use a lot of different kinds of martingales but she finds tricks to get out of using them. We really need some tips but please don't act like a know-it-all. I don't want to seem mean but people are always acting like they know everything about you and your horse just by reading something. Thanks!