Cross country jitters

I have just committed to going to Frensham Sponsored ride and I am totally bricking it!

This is daft, I said I would go since last year, but I just made the commitment in my mind, Sof and I are def going. I had a look at the website and the entry form and instantly my hands began to shake and my heart is going like the clappers.

If I am scared then why the hell am I doing this you might ask? Well sometimes the best things in life are the scariest.

Frensham is a 10 mile sponsored ride with optional small cross country fences. It is really just for a bit of fun and a great day out.



Baby T and me relieved
after first outing

Last time I felt this nervous was when my sister signed me and T up for our first sponsored ride back in 2003. Admittedly I think I had a bit more to be scared of. Tonto was 3 or 4 and had never been anywhere – ever. We had tried to take him to a little show at the yard, but we had to take him away after he hyperventilated with excitement. I had never really jumped Tonto, nor had I ridden with the horse and rider who kindly agreed to babysit us (and they were a new pair as well). Tonto broke my dad’s finger loading into the box, he reared up and through dad like a rag doll, unfortunately dads finger got stuck in the bridle. Once we got there Tonto was rearing and spinning at the start. I think it is the only time I have ever seen my normally unflappable instructor look worried. The first 10 minutes were hairy, but once he realised all he had to do was stick with his buddy he was a super star. He lead over all the fences. It was the making of us. I thought if I can ride Tonto round a sponsored ride, I can ride him anywhere.

This time round I ought not to be so scared. Sof is an older, more experienced horse, and I am riding with our normal hacking buddies Gem and Harry. I know Sofie has competed with her old owner, so show grounds should not be that exiting. We went round a local cross country course and it is clear she is familiar with the fences, so I think she has done cross country before. We have really bonded and she does now listen and really try for me. There is no reason why she won’t be anything other than angelic. But I am still crapping my pants. I expect her to be excited, and I’m wondering how well my breaks will work. I have bought some gloves to save my hands (when she is overexcited we play tough of war – I win, but at the cost of my skin). Still this is hardly reason to have a panic attack.

Perhaps I am just older and more risk adverse than the 16 year old me. Things which are less frightening scare me more. Or perhaps it is just anticipation and excitement that is making my heart flutter in my chest.

Either way, we are doing it. Game on.