Bad day at ShowJumping

Well, today we had the 3rd leg of the showjumpoing competition. In  true Irish fashion, the second leg will be held next Sunday. This is due to it being held over from it's originally scheduled date due to lack of entries.

For a refreshing change I wasn't on the showjumping duty roster, so was making my way to the riding school in plenty of time, when I receive a phone call.   The order of going has been reversed from it's usual order, and I will be 3rd to Jump.  I'm also riding a horse called Broe, who I have had a couple times on lessons, but not very often.  

I got to the riding school, and started to walk the course. I had just about learned it, when I was told I should go and get Broe and start warming up.  I did this, and had a couple of jumps outside. He refused the first time I tried the vertical, but jumped it a couple of more times and I was set, or so I thought.  In to the arena, and approached the first fence and he ran out.  He then tanked around the Arena 4 or 5 times, and it was really scary. Eventually I got him to stop.  I decided that I was not continuing, as it would be pretty stupid to continue, when you are not in control.  It was suggested that I come back later and jump some fences at a lower height.  This is what I did and asked for an Instructor I know and trust to come in with me.  We approached the first fence again, and we had the same run out.  The instructor told me what I was doing wrong, and what I needed to do, which was essentially to ride to the fences.  We managed to clear all the fences, without further incident, and despite a terrible line on what was supposed to be a dogleg between 5 and 6.  I just rode on to that fence, and we cleared that. I dceided against doing another round.

This has to be treated as a learning experience and learning how to handle it will help me become a better rider.    It has exposed one of my weaknesses which has to be worked on