4yo Pavo Are we ready?

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joben

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The entry form for the 4yo Pavo at West wilts is in the post and I'm getting scared! I bought a lovely 4yo 3 months ago. We're at the stage where he can do a dressage test but will not be consistently on the bit. He has scored 62% in his first (and only) unaffiliated prelim. We are jumping 90cms happily at home and last week I jumped most of the fences of a BE intro course (this was his 2nd xc schooling session). We are doing a 80cm ODE this weekend, other than that no competion experience.

do you think we will cope with a BE intro? I'm keen to have a go as I feel that he is a really talented youngster (soory, we all say that I know!) but I am a real amateur and am wondering if it is too much too soon. i'm fairly confident about the XC but already panicking about the SJ.

On a slightly different topic- is there a chance that they will ballot the 4yo section?
 
I did one last year with my boy and he had only trotted in his cross country schooling as the ground had been so hard in the run up to the event! I did Aston, and the showjumping wasn't over-big. He did get a bit lit up in his dressage when he saw the other ponies going cross country, but when it was his turn he loved it. I just trundled round as there is no optimum time, so I would think you would be ok. Mine had only been out and done a couple of BYEH before that, so he was very green but coped ok.

Other HHOers will be able to tell you what West Wilts intro is like, if that will help calm your nerves?
 
I always think West Wilts is a good first timers run at any level (intro/pn/n), they did however do the SJing at the last West Wilts in the indoor school (has your boy done a course indoors before?)
Also, don't be fooled by the 'young horse' class, the standard of dressage in the PAVO sections is usually alot higher than in a normal intro/pn section!!

Good Luck and have fun!! remember that the XC isn't timed, so you can trot round if you want
wink.gif
 
I think you should go for it! it sounds as if its not going to be anything that will completely freak him out as you have done the prep work. At the end of the day if its all getting to much on the day and you dont want to scare him you can simply retire and save him for another day. It may well be worth trying to hire an indoor school - or indeed west wilts if it fairly local to you - its a long time since i have lived down south but i seem to remember their warm up being indoor too?

Good luck - sounds like your baby is coming along great!
 
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