Eventing: Cross Country - Respect!
June 11th, 2008 | by citizen.K | Print & Hang in the Barn
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If there is one thing I watch in complete awe, it’s the Cross Country section of upper level Eventing. That is some “ballsy” stuff. I can canter up to a 5’ oxer and feel okay, but put up a 3’ solid fence and I get a little squeamish!
When I was young, I took my pony fox hunting and we jumped solid rock walls, downed trees, and other solid obstacles. Also when I was young, there were trails near the barn that had similar obstacles. Tenacious as I was, 3′6″ solid rock walls didn’t faze me, even though Rikki would slam on the brakes and toss me over without a mount.
What’s scarier: a 5′ vertical with falling rails or a solid 3′11″ log?
Even though I’ve never had a bad experience with solid fences, I guess I need the security of knowing show jumps topple. Funny enough, I have talked to several upper level Event riders who told me they thought I was crazy to jump those big fences when the rails could get caught up in their legs. Rails getting tangled in horse legs does happen, and it’s happened to me on occasion, but that doesn’t freak me out.
True athleticism of both horse and rider are duly tested in the upper level Cross Country phase of 3 Day Eventing. Not only do riders need steel guts, the also need trusting relationships with their horse. Upper level Eventing, to me, represents the most intense and confident competion horse riding around, and I respect and will always watch big Eventing in awe.
Maybe someday I’ll muscle up and take one of my horses out on a low level Cross Country course. I imagine Cross Country horse riding is an adrenaline rush and a ton of fun. I just can’t figure out how to get past the fear of flipping over.
2 Responses to “Eventing: Cross Country - Respect!”
By Bonnie on Jun 11, 2008 | Reply
You would be surprised at how easy it is to get over the solid fence fear. Starting out small is important and having a horse you can count on is even more important.
I found galloping down to a fence without hesitation, at first was impossible. After about 3 fences, it was almost easier than riding a jumper course. There isn’t the adjustments.
Think of it more as a “hunter” course but faster and longer. You just keep that forward pace and over the fences you go.
I have not jumped higher than 3′ on a cross country course and probably won’t. Not really because of fear, but because of safety. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to my horse. Having seen horses flip over or land wrong is scarier for the horse than for the rider. We know the risks the horses don’t!
Try it though, you will get addicted!
By Kiwi on Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
Jez! I would be like so freaked out! I tend to have a confidence problem, so I wonder if a horse would help me out a little. I’m in my early teens and weigh aboue 120 pounds, so I was thinking about asking about a horse. Then I thought, “What about the cost of feed and stuff. And! What to do when we ride … would I have enough guts to even get upon my buddies back? And if so, what could I jump? Would I be able to jump?
I’m so underconfident …