Aldon 2N / 3PN - is it worth it?

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SillyMare

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Looking for feedback on the Aldon 2N (and possibly the 3PN) - is it worth it?

Lex has technically qualified for the 1* as she has about 5 'qualifying' Novice runs now, however neither of us are ready. We have only just stopped scraping around the SJ.

One option for us is to finish the season with the 2N at Aldon - neither of us has ever competed above Novice level before so this would be something new for us.

My question is, whether the (significant) entry fee is worth it - will we be better equipped for a 1* next year if we do it?

Also, is it worth taking Merry down to do the 3PN? Lorry will be going anyway so additional cost will just be entry fees and stabling (again not insignificant in themselves).

Against that, I have never done more than a 1 day event and if Lex is going anyway, is it worth taking him?

Final question - is anyone else heading for Aldon?
 
You know you want to! I have never done one now that the 2DN qualifying rule for 1* has been scrapped but I think it would be worth it in terms of experience and I think anyone trying to do a CCI* without either CIC* or Intermediate experience is mad (numerous apologies to those who have done). It will be much more of an amateur's competition and it's surely worth staying away at a 3day for the whole experience if nothing else. It will give you a great boost when you do do a CCI* next year.

I don't know about the 3DPN but as far as I do know the entries are quite small so you should have a good chance of coming somewhere
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We were going to do the 2DJN but the time for the steeplechase is so fast W would be very handicapped. B has done the 3DE at MKEC 2 years ago so at least has had that experience.

Also not sure I want to camp in the lorry for 3 nights in Oct!

Decided to do Tweseldown instead.
 
Not too sure about 3 nights in the lorry myself - haven't broken that to OH yet (he thinks 3PN = 2 nights away).

The steeplechase time should be OK - my horses are TB - I might be proved wrong of course.
 
Took my horse to pn3de a couple of years ago, thoroughly enjoyed it, aldon is always lovely. He came 6th and the prize money was very generous, it was a real buzz to have been placed as we are 1 horse amateurs. It involved quite a lot of preparation work at home I have had point to pointers which helped. Unfortunately the horse has since been injured and has now retired but he enjoyed it as much as the rest of the team. Go for it and have fun. he's 3/4 tb 1/4 id and went clear with no time penalties in all phases. (1 down sj!). Dressage is in the long arena too!
 
2Day: Not sure it really helps prepare you for a 1* but you know what? It's FANTASTIC fun!! Doing the chase and the roads and tracks is another dimension and the chase really gets your and your horse's blood up for the XC - they feel quite different, for better or worse
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So I would recommend it for that reason alone. BTW, without wishing to sound patronising, congratulations for realising that just because you/your horse are QUALIFIED for a 1* doesn't mean you/he are READY for a 1* - a lot of people don't seem to make that distinction
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3DPN: If you decide to do the above I would def do this - it is a good education for a young horse to stay away from home and the course is a good strong PN track. My 6yo did it last year and came away thinking he was the bees knees or the dogs b*ll*cks or something
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He really enjoyed it and came on loads - again, the chase was really good for him.
 
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