What is your biggest XC challenge and how to deal with it?

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Quiz Questions

1.
Which statement best describes you?
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- A.
  I am new to XC.
- B.
  I compete in unaffiliated and am aiming to affiliate with my National Governing body (BE, USEA, EA etc)
- C.
  I compete in affiliated Horse Trials for fun.
- D.
  I have competed or would like to compete FEI.
- E.
  I am a professional event rider and my dream is to compete at the highest level and represent my country.
2.
Which statement best describes your horse when leaving the start box?
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- A.
  Pulls my arms out.
- B.
  Leaves reluctantly, serpentining to the first fence.
- C.
  Leaves at a positive canter jumps the first fence and is already looking for the next.
- D.
  Neither me nor my horse have competed in XC yet.
- E.
  Wants to go but moves towards the first fence somewhat suspiciously.
3.
Which statement best describes your horse once he is on the XC course?
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- A.
  Is loving every second and is looking for the next jump.
- B.
  Finds a rhythm but I need to kick every stride to keep him up to it.
- C.
  I haven't competed yet but would like to. We are just starting out.
- D.
  Continues to pull and I feel a little out of control.
- E.
  Is starting to find a rhythm but spooks at fence judge cars, people walking the course, as well as some of the jumps.
4.
Which statement best describes your XC position?
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- A.
  I am often left behind and sometimes catch my horse in the mouth.
- B.
  I can find myself "in front of the movement" especially if he is not taking me to the fence.
- C.
  When my horse spooks I thrown out of balance and need to use the reins for security.
- D.
  I feel secure and happy in my position.
- E.
  I would like to make sure I am ready for trouble.
5.
If you have problems on XC what would be most likely to happen?
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- A.
  My horse runs out or stops at the last second and sometimes I'm not sure why.
- B.
  He spooks and jerks from side to side and sometimes stops.
- C.
  My horse does not stop.
- D.
  We have not done much XC. I want to make sure my horse grows to loves it.
- E.
  Water/steps/banks often cause trouble for my horse and I.

Quiz Outcomes

1.
Your biggest Challenge is preparing you and and your horse to move up to the next level?
This is a good problem to have and you and your horse are clearly finding your current level well within your comfort zone. The question you need to ask is, do I want to challenge myself and my horse and move up to the next level? If the answer is yes, how do I prepare for the step up?
2.
Your biggest Challenge is properly installing a "Stop" button that works.
The "Stop/Go" button is vital from the start. It is our job to train our horse to stop when we ask and go when we ask. Most horses have one button but often not both. How do I install a "Stop" button?
3.
Your Challenge is to build XC foundation.
The wonderful thing about about being new to XC is your horse and you should not have bad habits. Most people think that training XC is all about galloping and jumping. Some may be surprised to hear that when I am riding a horse that has never been XC, I start jumping from walk.Not unlike the Scales of Training in dressage, there are fundamentals in XC which, if instilled early, develop a solid foundation on which you can build to move through the levels.
4.
Your biggest challenge is properly installing a "Go" button that works.
The "Stop/Go" button is vital from the start. It is our job to train our horse to stop when we ask and go when we ask. Most horses have one button but often not both. How do I install a "Go" button?
5.
Your Challenge is to develop trust between you and your spooky horse.
Spooking can be so frustrating. If our horse is constantly suspicious and jumpy it can make us on edge and nervous for that next big reaction. Our tension and worry will transmit direct to the horse. Building trust and exposing our horse to as many different scenarios can help.Find out Lucinda's take on "spooking" and how to deal with it.