WHP - never again!!!

[JoM]

What a bl**dy nightmare! I tell you - I am drawing a big fat line through today, and putting it down to 'one of those days'!! I also, will never waste my money entering another WHP competition - I dont normally pay to make a jack a*s of myself!

Just awful - not a big course - and not particularly scary looking to be honest - or so I thought! D obviously thought otherwise. We jumped the 1st in a fashion - straight forward rustic cross, and went for the 2nd which was a pallet stood up, 2 straw bales and another pallet, with a rustic pole about a stride in front of it - which gave it the effect of a ditch!!! This did not gel well, and he threw out the anchor!!! So, got a smacked ar*e for his trouble,and scaring the cr*p out of me and went again, and again, and again, we then removed the pole, no thanks, then removed a straw bale, no thanks, we pretty much disassembled the full jump before the would play ball and go over it - so I then went around and went over it again. Came up to a simple double, first one a cross - popped over, but totaled it in the process of the argument about it, 2nd part a straight bar with a balustrade under it - we re-moored at that one! SMACK again, wait for the 1st to be revived and back over those, around and neatly over another crossy type one, to the last one which was a simple straight bar, but quite narrow - NO THANKS - out the side door. We then had to disassemble that jump as well and I will admit I did beat him over that!!!!

By the time I had finished I was praying that no one spoke to me as I was so stressed and frustrated, and just holding myself together. But it wasnt to be! Lisa went to make a never mind comment and asked if the crop was made out of rubber as it just kept bouncing off his sides and he wasnt even flinching - I said a string of VERY rude words and rode off in a right little tantrum!!

Childish I know, but I had just had it! The build up to doing it had taken its toll as I didnt want to. And I certainly went in there with no expectations of getting placed, but I did hope to get around the blasted thing slightly easier than that!

Didnt bother to stay for my other ridden class, as so was not in the 'right place' for it. So came home.

Needless to say, I will never again do a WHP.

Oh - and to top it off - when he launched over the double I squished my pinky again - so that is swelling up nicely and one again refusing to participate in anything

[fran]

aww no sorry to hear that Jo. Well atleast you can say you tried lol.
i get like that when ive had a bad day, really frustratin when people put in remarks n your just like as if you could do better lol.
fran

[JoM]

I was just so mad and frustrated. In fairness, poor Lisa was only trying to make light of the episode as she knew I was stressed about it anyway. Unfortunately, I was biting my lip and 'holding back' after the 2nd fence. I was telling myself, god get a grip your 26 not bl**dy 2 - but I just get past myself. I am an achiever - I set myself, what I consider to be decent standards and anything less simply wont do. In this case - it had to, which was what upset me. And the fact that I knew the little could jump every single one with his eyes shut if her was inclined to just really ground my gears!

When we finally jumped the 2nd it was only because I really lost my grip, leant forward and lamped him around the top of his head - he knows I mean business then. He just doesn't respond to the stick at all.

I didn't enjoy it at all - so I'm afraid I simply wont put myself through it again. But I have an overwhelming feeling of disappointment with myself because of it. I HATE failure. It will wind me up forever!!!

[mickey]

Thats a shame Jo- I called up this afternoon but couldnt see you. TheWH course was bigger than last year! Hope your finger is ok, you're braver than me! I didnt even dare hack the coloured up the road!!

[jet]

Sorry Jo, but you made me chuckle! It's the lovely way you have with words! Lol! Sorry you didn't have a great time but there's always next time!!!!!!!! Lol!

[dollylanedales]

Sounds like it was one of those days. These hairies have a knack of showing us up.

These things happens to us all at one time or another. I have lost count of the number of driven shows Molly had done, until one day she refused to do a rein back in front of the judge. No amount of persuading, driving whip or anything else would make her do it. Came out of the ring, and what did she do? A perfect rein back. Was I mad!!!

So, I can understand how you felt today.

[Debbie]

Oh dear...and here I was wondering how you'd done.... Beating the fair pony about with a stick *might* make you feel better, but doesn't in the end run. I can only hope, as does any rider, when push comes to shove, and they feel the real adrenaline of a *real* situation kick in that they can cleanly jump anything pointed at them and thensome instead of this halfbaked stuff they seem to pull at a show. If its any consolation at all, I know exactly how you feel...and I must say it didn't improve my mood anymore than yours

I don't think there's a 'cure' per se, and the anger is not so much that they let you down in front of everyone, as that you KNOW they could have done it in their dreams that's the TRULY annoying bit. Another day......another day....so just let it go for now, and thankfully it was your sister you snapped at in the end, but you'd best go suck up to her beautifully. A sister can only take so much mental/emotional abuse you know...even from another sister

[harveydales]

Oh dear Jo, we all have days like this. Best put it all behind you and start afresh. Next time.....

[jakesmum]

oooh poor you. these ponies are enough to drive you to drink and frequently do. Jake has only ever saved his displays for local shows where people might know us.
I`m sure you have ways of getting even ;D

[JoM]

LOL Laura, at least I havent been lulled into a false sense of security then!

We left at about 1.30pm Em, so we had probably gone by the time you got there. I tell you, the orginisation at that place gets worse every time I go!!!

I dont mind giving you a chuckle Sue!!!

Debbie, Lisa is fine - she is just as bad as me for launching the teddy!!!

I am going back into my comfort zone next weekend - no feet leaving the floor, just good old ridden class! ;D Hopefully dancer and I can remain friends LOL

[angie]

Oh heck Jo! At least you give it a good go - your much braver than me! I don't suppose there are any pics then?

[jacquidales]

I always think that if you reach a stage on a horse/pony where by you can't smile and you're are grinding your teeth, the fairest thing is to get off, put him away and part freinds before you do something to him that you later regret. Horses have a way of puncturing our balloon and making us realise that we can't plan everything in our lives.

[JoM]

LOL Ang!!! You are asking for pics from my day of hell!! ROFL

I dont believe anyone DARE take any pics of the WHP! There may be a couple of us in the M&M inhand class - we came third, so the day wasnt a complete loss!

I will ask Lisa as they are on her camera.

I agree with the dont do it if you dont enjoy it Jacqui! I MADE him go around as I will not be ignored, and with Dancer if you give an inch, your in trouble. I couldnt leave that arena with him having the upperhand. However, I got no enjoyment from it and will not put us through it again. There is no fun in scrapping it out. We did leave the ring as friends, he got a pat for doing the last jump.

[NFK Dumpling]

ROFL You have such a way with words!

It sounds like Dancer and James have some shared ancestry - your WHP sounded very much like one of our "off" days.

Do you squish your pinky because Dancer has shoulders? This happens to me too - it was very off-putting getting on my friend's horse to find a space where I'm used to shoulders.

[JoM]

It was possibly to do with his shoulders actually!!! As the full body came up at the front and just launched us over! So hands probably went down as shoulder came up, as I was grabbing the breastplate for dear life! LOL I hurt it when I fell off about 5 weeks ago now and got it tangled in the reins as I disembarked in a rather unsightly manner.

It hasnt been right since then, and I have noticed recently that I have taken to just not using it now. It was still not happy, but had been showing some signs of wanting to re-intergrate back into the pack recently!! However, since its squish on Sunday - it has gone back to been alone and illusive! D*mn that shirty pony!!!!!