Cross Country Safety Concerns for a Newbie

[Jumping31]

Hello from the hunter jumper world! Long story short, my hj instructor is down in Ocala for a few months and her stand-in instructor happens to be an eventer with a strong background in working with Olympian eventers. After talking to her, it looks like we will have cross country schooling lessons which I am ecstatic about! I’ve been wanting to get into cross country (not the whole eventing experience) for a while now and I finally have the right mix of time/availability/training.

Upon announcing to my parents of my intentions to get into a slightly more dangerous discipline, they have several concerns. Dad is much more “stay safe and have fun” but Mom is much more “I’d rather you not.” The end result is I have their full support and have been looking into protective vests for the last few hours. The last time I asked in this specific forum about going cross country on a young spooky OTTB I had great feedback and luckily when I am with this new instructor I will be riding either her own eventer or her client’s eventers so I have no concerns on the horse.

Though this year has seen some dangerous situations, is there a real concern for me to be worried about? I understand riding itself is a risk and cross country is even more so, particularly with the deaths and accidents more pronounced this year. Should I rethink going into this more avidly? Particular things to be worried about or look out for?

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

I’m a little confused by “wanting to get into cross country, but not the whole eventing experience” but then being concerned about “pronounced” deaths and accidents this year. Those situations are mainly upper level riders in competition situations, and I think there’s a question about whether we are statisticslly seeing more and worse accidents… or just hearing about them more on social media. There’s a difference.

With a good vest and helmet, and an experienced instructor’s schoolmaster to ride, with the experienced instructor closeby to give instruction… schooling cross country and exploring a different sport should be fine Have fun!

[Jumping31]

@Virginia Horse Mom

I’m a little confused by “wanting to get into cross country, but not the whole eventing experience” but then being concerned about “pronounced” deaths and accidents this year. Those situations are mainly upper level riders in competition situations, and I think there’s a question about whether we are statisticslly seeing more and worse accidents… or just hearing about them more on social media. There’s a difference.

I am not wanting to go into 3 day eventing competitions but want to dabble a bit in cross country for variation, sheer fun, and new experiences rather than full on competing. I understand those situations are mainly limited to upper level riders but cross country is a more dangerous discipline of riding than hunter jumpers just due to many other factors, thus the reason why my parents are more concerned. The chances of getting severely injured as a lower level rider are significantly decreased (thank goodness for that) but I want to know if there are simple things I can do (introducing the horse to each jump before actually jumping it, longer warm ups, etc.) to prevent miscommunication/bad experiences/injuries even if it’s just schooling. I am looking forward to getting out on the courses though!

[Interstellar]

Trail ride! Walk/trot/canter/gallop various terrain. Pop over little logs if there are any. Get used to riding at speed over uneven and unknown terrain. Fox hunting helps you lose that fear too. Grab mane, sit up, kick when in trouble. Overthinking and psyching yourself out (I’m so guilty when out of practice) is the worst you can do. Have a good instructor and just get out and do it. I’ve only had the privilege to do one event so far (changing that this next year) due to broke nursing student finances, but cross country was THE best moments of my life. Closest to flying I’ve ever felt. Branch out and explore your interests and have fun!

[Miranda_and_Oscar]

I have been eventing (low levels) for 3-4 years and don’t get me wrong, I still get somewhat nervous before a cross country course (my guy gets in the zone out there). But xc schooling can be great fun and totally low key! I often do a little xc jumping while I am out for trail rides. No need to make a course out of it. Jump a little log, then take a walk break. You can trot into them and walk afterwards. No need to pull a Boyd Martin and gallop over huge obstacles. The great thing about xc schooling is that you can do whatever jump you want, at whatever pace you want and you can do whatever pace you want in between the jumps…totally stress free. You can also just trot and canter around the jumps (without going over any) at first to get a feel for how the horse reacts and if he/she looks at anything in particular. Just keep it fun and positive for you and the horse! There aren’t too many greater feelings, in my opinion, then soaring over a good cross country jump!

[Jealoushe]

@Virginia Horse Mom

I’m a little confused by “wanting to get into cross country, but not the whole eventing experience” but then being concerned about “pronounced” deaths and accidents this year. Those situations are mainly upper level riders in competition situations, and I think there’s a question about whether we are statisticslly seeing more and worse accidents… or just hearing about them more on social media. There’s a difference.
!

This is not really true. Two horse deaths were at the LLs this year, and rates of accidents are still high.

[Janet]

Riding horse is inherently dangerous.

Statistically, the most dangerous thing you can do (highest probability of going to the emergency room) is walking on a loose rein.

That being said, the majority of serious injuries on Cross Country involve large jumps taken at high speed, much higher than the speeds you will be schooling.

I am a TD, and 90%+ of the fall reports I fill out are variants of “horse stopped, rider didn’t”, and that is just as common in Hunter/jumper.

The best thing you can do to prepare is to get used to riding on uneven sloping ground (even if it is just circles and figure 8s) at trot and canter.

The best thing you can do while schooling is to listen to your instructor. I can guarantee that you will be going slower than you think you are.

The key things that will make you successful and safe are “engine, line, and balance”.
Engine = making sure the horse is forward (energy, not speed), and maintaining a steady pace to the jump (not slowing down)
Line = making sure you and the horse are straight (not crooked, not dropping a shoulder), and have a straight line to over, and after, the jump.
Balance = making sure the horse is not “strung out” or “on the forehand”.

Listen to your instructor and have fun

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

@Jumping31

I am not wanting to go into 3 day eventing competitions but want to dabble a bit in cross country for variation, sheer fun, and new experiences rather than full on competing. I understand those situations are mainly limited to upper level riders but cross country is a more dangerous discipline of riding than hunter jumpers just due to many other factors, thus the reason why my parents are more concerned. The chances of getting severely injured as a lower level rider are significantly decreased (thank goodness for that) but I want to know if there are simple things I can do (introducing the horse to each jump before actually jumping it, longer warm ups, etc.) to prevent miscommunication/bad experiences/injuries even if it’s just schooling. I am looking forward to getting out on the courses though!

First off - good for you on wanting to try new things and grow as a rider, independent of actual competition.

I didn’t mean to sound dismissive of cross country risks… it isn’t without risk. But don’t look at the highly publicized crashes and then worry a ton about schooling. Going into it with the guidance of someone experienced, riding a horse who has evented, and wearing appropriate safety equipment is definitely all on point. And schooling is fun and should be all about building confidence

One thing you can do in flat work before going schooling, in addition to getting comfortable riding on uneven terrain, is working on adjustability within each gait. With hunters… calm consistency is something you strive for. So you may not be as used to riding around the ring feeling what it’s like to push your horse forward, then collect, then push forward, then collect. It’s important to be able to know what challenges you face in terms of having your horse in front of your leg, and bringing them back to a slower pace and balancing as needed.

[CorazonLock]

At the lower levels, especially just starting out, I doubt there’s really much more risk than jumping in general. You just want to make sure you are riding a horse that is a safe jumper as the fences are solid. And if your horse can’t jump a 2’6" xc fence safely (not hanging a leg, knees down, etc) it probably shouldn’t be jumping at all. Wear your vest and helmet and you should be good to go.

One thing I’ve learned is that it is imperative that your horse understand that when asked to go forward, it must go forward. Instilling that will help you a lot when a jump looks a little spooky. Just introduce new questions slowly and clearly so you can get it right the first time. And your instructor should be helping you do that.

Honestly, I wouldn’t give up Eventing for anything. There is nothing as exciting as riding around the cross country course.

[subk]

The biggest safety problem I specifically see with H/J riders transitioning to low level xc is they tend to have very little knowledge or practice of more defensive riding positions. Long stirrups with a horizontal body position draped over the neck may be fine jumping known obstacles on an all weather surface, it may even be fine on xc up until the moment something doesn’t go perfectly. Then it’s the laws of physics and it won’t be either effective or safe. I would urge you to talk with your new instructor about this and study pictures and videos of the differences in positions. Go into it knowing that you will need to learn to adjust your position according to the challenges–it’s harder than it sounds, but having more control of your body and balance will make you a better rider regardless of the disciple you practice.

[cranky]

There is a certain joy to riding out of the ring and over XC (regardless of speed). It really is the essence of riding horses. You should experience it, whether you want to get into the full Eventing experience or not. I’m sure for your first times out you will be jumping simple stuff (logs, coops, tiny banks) at a canter. Go with it and enjoy. Trust your trainer to know what you can handle.

[asterix]

Have fun! Getting started with an experienced horse and instructor is the way to go. I agree with everyone else, under those circumstances an introduction to xc is not a particularly risky undertaking. I’ve evented through prelim and by far the worst crashes I’ve had have been jumping in the ring…I am not dismissing the dangers of riding at speed over solid obstacles but you will be going at a gentler speed over modest obstacles to start and I think you will love it

[Jersey_Fresh]

@subk

The biggest safety problem I specifically see with H/J riders transitioning to low level xc is they tend to have very little knowledge or practice of more defensive riding positions. Long stirrups with a horizontal body position draped over the neck may be fine jumping known obstacles on an all weather surface, it may even be fine on xc up until the moment something doesn’t go perfectly. Then it’s the laws of physics and it won’t be either effective or safe. I would urge you to talk with your new instructor about this and study pictures and videos of the differences in positions. Go into it knowing that you will need to learn to adjust your position according to the challenges–it’s harder than it sounds, but having more control of your body and balance will make you a better rider regardless of the disciple you practice.

This was my hardest transition. That and going forward when I was nervous.

A few things that helped me transition from the H/J world to eventing. 1. I found a trainer who was really good with nervous ammies and that I trusted. 2. I spent a lot of time taking my horse off the property to hack out. He was a seasoned show horse but the first few times hacking out tried to launch me. 3. I spent time getting used to terrain. I still don’t like galloping/jumping downhill but I am more used to it. now.

I had to completely learn to re-ride. I had to learn to sit, back to the jumps and to let go and kick when I got nervous. Picking on XC can get you in a lot of trouble, and my trainer really ingrained into my head “FORWARD” so that it was my natural go to when nervous.

One thing I will note, is chose where you school carefully. Schooling XC here after events or when the KHP has open days can be complete chaos and really unsettle a nervous rider. Some people do some really, really dumb things at XC schooling.

[amb]

@Interstellar

Trail ride! Walk/trot/canter/gallop various terrain. Pop over little logs if there are any. Get used to riding at speed over uneven and unknown terrain.

That, a million times that. Get comfortable going out and about and up and down and through varied footing and light and dark, and get your horse comfortable with it, and you’re 90% of the way there. Realistically speaking it probably is more dangerous than riding in an arena, but galloping around through fields and forests is a heck of a lot of fun.

As far as comparisons with the Hunter/Jumper scene, outdoor hunter courses not that long ago were closer to eventing than this year’s AEC setup. Think of it as getting back to your roots! Fairfield in the 60’s: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukuWzkw8iHI

[anon40672407]

@Janet

I am a TD, and 90%+ of the fall reports I fill out are variants of “horse stopped, rider didn’t”, and that is just as common in Hunter/jumper.

The best thing you can do …

The best thing you can do while schooling i…

One you left out is “The best thing you can do is not ride a stopper.” I kid a little bit, but there are horses who respond (negatively) to a tentative rider, and there are horses that see the log and go for broke. Ride the second kind.

[NCRider]

I’ve always thought that one way to be safer on xc is to keep the jumps clearly below the upper limits of your horse’s scope. Particularly if you’re an amateur. It expands the range of safe takeoff distances and gives you greater margin for error if you come in under powered.

[Horseman15]

@anon40672407

… and there are horses that see the log and go for broke. Ride the second kind.

LMAO :lol: It’s always interesting when I’ve completed a jump and my horse is still on the other side of it :lol::lol::lol::lol: I loved that dirty stopper I leased :lol: My guy is a lot more fun! I’ll look at the jump and go “Are you REALLY going over … I guess so”! He’s definitely a lot more fun!!

[AKB]

If you stick with the lower fences, have a well fitted, approved helmet and vest, and have good instruction, you should be fine. My daughter comes to Ocala every winter for a week or two of schooling. Most of the year, her job is too time consuming to do much jumping. She gets lessons from an experienced, capable trainer, and goes XC schooling while she is in Ocala. She always has a great time.

if your parents are worried, invite them to enjoy some Florida weather and come along. I think they will be pleased with what they see. Low level eventers tend to be a very decent group of people, who take good care of their horses and themselves.

[tinah]

@subk

The biggest safety problem I specifically see with H/J riders transitioning to low level xc is they tend to have very little knowledge or practice of more defensive riding positions. Long stirrups with a horizontal body position draped over the neck may be fine jumping known obstacles on an all weather surface, it may even be fine on xc up until the moment something doesn’t go perfectly. Then it’s the laws of physics and it won’t be either effective or safe. I would urge you to talk with your new instructor about this and study pictures and videos of the differences in positions. Go into it knowing that you will need to learn to adjust your position according to the challenges–it’s harder than it sounds, but having more control of your body and balance will make you a better rider regardless of the disciple you practice.

Absolutely. Do some jumping in the arena without stirrups. If your form changes, you do not have a good jumping position, you have a show ring position. Fix it.

[Janet]

@AKB

She gets lessons from an experienced, capable trainer, and goes XC schooling while she is in Ocala. She always has a great time.

if your parents are worried, invite them to enjoy some Florida weather and come along.

My understanding is that the OP is not in (and is not going to) Ocala.
The OP’s regular (hunter/jumper) trainer is going to Ocala, leaving the OP “back home” with a back up instructor who has an Eventing bckground.