Anyone done Eland Lodges MINI ODE?

sam-b

sam-b

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I'm debating entering for teh May event on my 4 year old, but it's not cheap :s

I have done their ODE's before but the bigger classes on an experienced horse, I just wanted to know what to expect in the Mini class in terms of fences, speeds etc as I dont want to spend all taht money if she is going to be completely out of her depth. She is jumping small courses happily, and is competing Prelim BD with scores in the 60's. I'm not saying I am wanting to go in there and get placed, but I dont want to go in tehre, find out teh SJ is really techie and scare her for example :)

Thanks
 
Although I haven't competed in the Mini ODE I do regularly volunteer at Eland and have fence judged the XC part.

From my experience the Mini is all about encouraging horses and riders to enjoy themselves and have a safe confidence building experience.

It is something I will be heading towards with my young horse, although he isn't as established as yours just yet and is still growing into himself.

Hope this helps.
 
Can highly recommend Eland Mini. I did my first ever ODE there. You can find photos of all the XC fences in the gallery on their website. They are small and easy. The mini doesnt have any testing questions just a nice flowing course. The water is a run through so no jumping in or out. The dressage is on grass with plenty of space between arenas (they have about 6 running at once). The showjumping is on a surface and the courses are normally flowing and nice - no sharp turns or difficult angles.
Hope to see you there as I am hopefully doing my first 80 if my boy stays fit and well. I am worried about fence 3 as it is a brush with a ditch behind!

Another plus point is the team at Eland are so lovely and helpful.
 
The mini is lovely. I did it on my mare when she was a 4 yr old and had been backed for 4 months! The sjing has fillers and little planks, but it is tiny and flowing on good distances. The XC is educational, as you have the little sunken road, we had a little fence out of the water, etc, but it was all inviting :) Enjoy!
 
Did it on my 4 year old a few years ago and thought it was fab, as provided dressed xc jumps that were tiny, so very educational.

Planning to do it on my youngster this year as his first proper party and xc course. Purely with the hope of getting some experience under his belt!
 
Is the horseware island in the mini course? My connie took violent dislike to it- flew on and off first time, then 30 seconds later jumped on and refused to move for 20mins.....
 
I don't think it is 3BH, I'm pretty sure there is a crossing point between the fields for the Mini class :)
 
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Great course very friendly staff excellent organisation in sj 'ing warm up and generous prizes. Love Eland at all levels hoping that our youngest pony will be doing the mini this year
 
I personally think the standard of facilites, parking, arena etc are well worth it. I have been showing for years, where we consider it quite normal to pay £40 a class, be towed onto a muddy field, trot and canter your horse twice around a tiny ring on the side of a hill next to a funfair, watch the judge ride, pick up a tiny 2 tier rosette (no prize money!), pay £6 for a cup of cofffee then get towed off and sent home etc etc... So i think this is great value and done my entry!!
 
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Lol - am sure you will be fine. Is it you who has the nice grey horse that I saw at the dressage at Eland a few weeks ago?
 
Thats me :) she is a star but so far only ever jumped one round of show jumps lol! She did learn to jump ditches the b other night :D
 
Ha ha :) my mare is very trainable and quick to pick things up so I'm pretty lucky. I only sit on her 4 times a week. .. need to ramp that up now to get her fitter lol
 
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