I HAD A CONFIDENCE KNOCK- chalky was wild!!! 

He was SPICY! You handled him so well, well done for keeping going❤ and he was jumping so well by the end xx

You handled him amazingly, Olivia. I feel you, I’ve been there, you’re strong, you did it and you didn’t give up on him or yourself throughout this ride. Boy, was he spicy! I have some tips that may help: 1. Keep talking, whistling, singing it doesn’t really matter, as long as your talking to him he knows your there! 2. Sit up. During the canter I can see (not your fault at all!!!) your leaning forward which is normal on XC. sit up and even slightly back if you have to, think about jockeys… the horses run the fastest when the rider is over their neck and pushing the horse forward (it really helps!) so sit back right before you turn to your fence to sit him back a little bit! 3. look straight over the jump. It really helps if I have someone stand 10-20 feet past and hold up a Random number on their hand (🤚) and then you say the number when you land. If you get the number wrong from not looking you do it again! 4. Keep riding❤ 5. Have him stop about 10-20 feet before the fence, pick up the trot, jump your fence, after a couple strides ask for a whoa-standstill, and pat him. It really helps with rushing before and after the fence and do it till he does it decent and/or calmer. I hope these tips really help you❤❤❤ Keep riding girly❤🥰😘

Hey Olivia, I know you felt that you'd lost your confidence but you kept going despite your sore ankle and Chalky being rather keen shall we say so there's a lot more positives than negatives that came out of that lesson. Try and not be so hard and critical of yourself. You were riding really well despite the conditions and having been out the saddle for weeks. It really didn't look bad at all. Well done to you and Chalky. Your doing amazing. Keep going. Loved this vlog. ❤xx

I thought you did brilliantly, you didn't give up and kept on working through despite everything. You should be very proud of yourself. Well done. Hopefully you are looking forward to the next adventure as much as we all are 🥰xx

you're hard on yourself! I am too! Can relate to the ankle issues - I have a dodgy right one that can feel really weak - the difference in stability between my ankles is obvious when I, too, take time off exercise, riding, etc. the arena hire looked gorgeous - really inviting looking and manicured setting. not an eventer really (dressage junior and now adult show jumper) but it looked much better than you're feeling!

I think it definitely felt a lot worse than it looked! Bless you, it must have been a shock if he's not usually like this, I think you did the best job you could with the horse you had on the day so be kinder to yourself. Xx

I think you rode him brilliantly - I know you didn’t feel it but I thought you looked so fit and strong. Chalky was obviously feeling up for it which knocked your confidence a little - (I would have been getting off 😂) but he did look fabulous 😊

Confidence is so fragile but its so important to keep going! ❤

Just curious, does he always swish his tail? It looks like something is bothering him . What does your trainer think? I just had my mares hocks treated , made a big difference. I'm not done watching, I don't think I got to the part where he acts up yet, lol. I'll keep watching ❤

Olivia. Dont knock yourself!! Personally, I thought you did very well! Every so often, our horses can have a bomb up their backside... 😅...you rode very well! Chalky is sane so that's a positive. I really enjoyed this vlog. ❤xx

Mate give yourself a break!! Youd been away & not done any XC for ages!!! Xxx

So sorry that your confidence got a knock. Have you considered a calming supplement for Chalky? My horse is completely different when on his calming supplement. I can't recommend brands because I am in Australia.

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