Arena eventing newbie

[boopablesnoot]

Hi all - longtime listener, first time caller here. I'm taking my new boy to an indoor eventer's challenge next week. We're hitching a ride with someone doing the 100 class, so to avoid too much waiting around we're having to do the 90. I've jumped a course of showjumps at 80 with him, and I know he won't have any problem with the height - I'm just not sure what to expect on the xc front with him, not having done anything like this before. I guess worst case scenario is that we do the showjumping and retire before the xc section if the fences are too solid and intimidating - I'd rather that than damage confidence (both his and mine!) by overstretching ourselves. Does anybody have any words of wisdom for me? He's 15 and very capable, although low mileage so indoor xc will be new to him as well.

 

[GirlFriday]

It is generally considered preferable to be jumping higher at home than in competition - I take it this is a competition not a clinic?

I'd not really want to be jumping 90 in competition on something I'd only ever jumped 80 with at home... even over the kinds of fences we were familiar with.

But then I don't really jump at all, so...

 

[Bernster]

I'm with GF so not hugely helpful but if it were me and I did go, id put up some meaty sj over 90cm at home so you know you've jumped bigger (to account for xc jumps maybe appearing bolder) and see how you go. There are some good articles around about setting up xc type fences with poles, so you could make skinnies, angles etc. Do course walk beforehand if you can and see what it's like.

Do you know what kind of xc fences they have, and have you/he jumped any xc fences before?

But if you haven't done any xc or arena eventing then I wouldn't do a 90 arena as my first comp unless I was well capable at 90+ already. And for me I'd need very large brave pants !!

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Take it steady. The sj is judged on penalties (usually) and the xc is timed - you go over the final sj fence and through timing and then over the xc fences. Time penalties are added for any poles down.
At low level indoors there can be about 8-10 sj fences and then 5 - 8 xc fences, at 90 I'd expect them to be 50/50 of each and at least 16 to 18 efforts.
You usually wear xc gear (helps brighten up things) rather than jacket etc, but choice is down to you.

I really hope your chap is up to this, as like the others above, I'd not be jumping 90 at comp unless I'd be happy jumping 95/100 at home.

That said, If you think he'll cope, then I wouldn't be razzing him over the xc, but keep a steady sj rythmn all the way round for a 1st attempt.

Good luck & have fun.

 

[ihatework]

These arena eventing things can vary so much that it's tricky to advise.
One might be built on the low side with a mix of working hunter style fences and small portable xc fences dotted about. Others are larger portables with skinnies, offset angles and bounces thrown in for good measure.

Even established horses can go a bit green during arena eventing. It's a bit of a niche thing that is worth preparing for.

 

[OldNag]

Hi all - longtime listener, first time caller here. I'm taking my new boy to an indoor eventer's challenge next week. We're hitching a ride with someone doing the 100 class, so to avoid too much waiting around we're having to do the 90. I've jumped a course of showjumps at 80 with him, and I know he won't have any problem with the height - I'm just not sure what to expect on the xc front with him, not having done anything like this before. I guess worst case scenario is that we do the showjumping and retire before the xc section if the fences are too solid and intimidating - I'd rather that than damage confidence (both his and mine!) by overstretching ourselves. Does anybody have any words of wisdom for me? He's 15 and very capable, although low mileage so indoor xc will be new to him as well.

What others have said re heights.... and also to add that the ones we have been to have been a real mix.

On some of the outdoor ones they include exiting the arena to do actual XC jumps, others it is all within the arena. Indoor ones have also been mixed. We were at one at the weekend which only had a few XC, 2 I would count as XC type and the others were more use of rustic poles with SJ wings.

I would see if you can find any official photographer pics from previous competitions held at that venue, you might be able to find some photos that give you an idea of what they usually have there.