Any Scottish eventers? Culzean and Aswanley courses

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doodle

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Has anyone been? What are the course like in general, the Intro one. Its says for Aswanley "Intro - unparallelled education for youngsters with water, encouraging a gradual build-up of confidence" which sounds good and for Culzean "Now largely over grass, there is no water feature on this course. The Intro course is designed to give experience & confidence to new entrants/horses" which also sounds good.

I had tentatively, possibly thought about, maybe and very probably would have wimped out, but thought of doing the Intro at gleneagles in sept, it is 30mins away but now it is cancelled.

So there is nothing in october, and Culzean, Aswanley and Wee Burgie in September, dont really want to go earlier as I need some practice (and there is only Scone on in August although that is only 5mins away!). Wee Burgie ruled out as too far away. Im thinking Aswanley will be a good 2 hours possibly a bit more, away but Culzean about 90mins. However would rather go furthur to find a "better" course for both our first intros (ok so for my benefit rather than his!)

This is of course all hypothetical and i will more than probably wimp out! <font color="blue"> </font>
 
Its a while since I was in Scotland competing, (before intro)but my abiding memory of Aswanley was riding in a bog, miles to walk, and a vow never to return.
Culzean can also be a bog, and is/ was partly run over stubble fields, which were a nightmare in the wet, and stony when dry. That said, I much prefer the courses at Culzean, and the interesting moments doing dressage on the battlements listening to the sea below!!!
 
Not been to Culzean. But Aswanleys lovely. Have done from intro to novice last 3 years. Id say the intro is a very nice course, good for a first time as its straight forward and welcoming. It was VERY wet one year when I fence judged but Ive never seen it as a bog...... Past 3 years the weathers been gorgeous. And certainly not miles to walk - the SJ, dressage and parking are all in one lovely flat field by the river. Must have changed a lot since you were there Gonetofrance! Spectators can stand on a big bank by the steading and watch a bit of everything. Id say its a nice event to do. The water is just a nice easy walk in, walk out for the intro and its like the second last fence on the course so you get in a good flow by then.

Wee Burgie is ok, although TBH it always seems to get the worst weather! Last year was horrendous - I remember doing the XC in thick fog that was so bad that the fence judges had their car lights on........ You also need quite a fit horse as its quite hilly. Its only about 50 minutes on from Aswanley though. I would say that Aswanleys definately the nicer course for a first intro.

If you're very near Scone, we took about 3 hours to get to Scone a few weeks ago from where we are (near Aswanley) so you'd need to leave more than just 2 hrs.
 
MM, I went the first year it ran to support a new event........there were obviously teething problems, but the organisers were a bit sh**y, considering all the grief etc.
I think they've probably learned loads from that day......but a five hour trek from the borders was a waste of time for me, I'm afraid!! (Not talking about prizes, I was placed, but it was a chore, not a pleasure)
Don't get me wrong, I applaud and support any new venture, hence the trip up, but whilst I appreciated their problems, they didn't exactly make it easy to enjoy it..............
Anyway, I'm sure that's all in the past, but the OP did ask for experiences!! ;-))
 
Culzean for an Intro is lovely. Husband did that as his first Intro last year and had a whale of a time. Nice course, lots of questions, and excellent facilties (warm, dry cafe, hard standing and real loos!!!). Undulating terrain which realy wasn't too difficult to cope with. Agree Gleneagles is the best for a first Intro, but it's a pain that they've cancelled.
 
Thanks for that. I think that will put Aswanely out too then :S, I dont really know where it is and that was a bit of a guess at 2 hours. 3 hours is a bit much to go, compete, then drive home again, and I dotn want to stay as that will make it harder in my mind and I dont want to sleep in my trailer!
 
Both courses are very good if its one of your first. I prefer culzean to Aswanely, but it is cheeper to go to Aswanely for us as it is closer to home.
 
I have never been to Culzean but from what I have heard people have found it a poor event, however that was a few years ago. Aswanley is beside Huntly and is a fantastic event. The course is really nice and the Inglebys are brilliant and the setting could not be better.
 
Just to add to this, there is full photos of Aswanley jumps on peak-photo.co.uk under the 2006 event.

i was thinking of doing the pre-novice at Aswanley this year - but lookinf at the results from last year there was a considerable number eliminated in the XC phase for the pre-novice....nearly all TE's....does anyone know what that was about??!!!
 
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