BE experts, handy tips? time saving? ideas please.......

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Ethelmare

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As I am hoping to take my mare affiliated in 2012 i thought it would be good to have all you BE experts handy tips. Whats your best time saving tip? gadget? piece of kit? Any advice that you think will help a first timer! :) .............................
 
Sorry, competely irrelevant to your thread topic, but do I know you ;);):p?

On the BE front, just try and be as organised the day before as you possibly can, and leave loads of time to walk courses, get numbers etc. Nothing worse than being behind schedule and getting in a flap!
 
Make a list of what equipment you need to take for each event and laminate it. Have everything done, ready and packed the night before no matter what time your on.
Makes a big difference being organised in advance.
I have big square labelled plastic tubs for different sets of stuff,eg. All Xc kit and bp in one, with number bib and med armband.
Another carries my sj, and dressage stuff, with a copy of the test.
Same with horse stuff, 1 box for boots,Hoof pick, tape and stud kit
1 for coolers, and bandages travel boots, towels etc.
I usually take pop up containers for dirty equipment and just chuck them into there when finished with
Make sure your stud holes are clean, tapped and plugged the night before as
itll save time on the day
First aid kits human and horse live in the living of the trailer, with RESCUE REMEDY
Rider kit boxes are in the day living of trailer,along with boots and hats. horse kit boxes are in the back of the truck along with water buckets and wash down kit, ice boots etc.
When you walk the xc course, take your mobile and take a pic of each jump as you go round so you can walk it in your head again with the map and see the jumps when youre back at the trailer.
If you cant eat because youre nervous, take a lucozade drink and sip on that and eat a cereal bar, your brain works better when hydrated, and body better with food in it. Give yourself plenty of time to walk the course on the day, you'll be less harassed that way
GOOD LUCK
 
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Some tips are better for lorries and other for trailer owners. I am the latter so horse tack goes in the car. I have a HUGE aerborn tack sack that I keep the horse boots in, back protector, spare reins and bridle bits, my gloves, XC silk etc. After the event items are washed / cleaned and put back in their, so when I pack all I need to put in is my hat, the bridle and two saddles.

I also find that everything has a place and must be in that place, so it is easy to find and easy to spot if missing.

If you have a helper that is not horsey give them specific tasks, like sorting numbers in bibs, changing hat silks, taking out plaits.

Most importantly - good luck!
 
Make sure you take plenty of black bin bags. When we untack everything for washing goes in these, boots in one, numnah's in another etc. It makes life so much easier, especially if wet and muddy, Then when you get home everything is ready to go in the w'machine.
 
Take your passport with you when you get your number, just in case they are checking- saves time!

Be aware of places which have a little trek to the dressage (ALW, Pontspool) so you are not caught out.

It's worth keep an eye on how busy the SJ & xc is, as you can often spot quiet spells and go ahead of your time.

Decide on how best everything will fit in your lorry/trailer, and know back to front where everything is.
 
Make sure you tap stud holes, and plug them the day before. Makes it much easier when you get there just to screw them in.

If planning on walking the course between SJ and XC make sure you have plenty of time. As a SJ steward one of my pet hates are people wanting to slot in early so they have time to walk the course. SJ can and quite often does run late so don't assume just because you're times give you an hour that you will have that long.
 
Following on from Susie's post, if you do have a hour between each, I would also suggest not to walk xc in between unless you are completely confident in the course already. A hour can whizz by when you have tack/kit/clothes to change.
I only usually walk the course in betwen phases if I have a gap of 2 hours or so.
x
 
I sort of did a variation on the packing as shared a lorry and space was tight. I had 2 boxes. Box no 1 was packed in layers of everything I needed for the horse, albeit I always travelled with dressage bandages under the boots to save time. Clothes were also put in order on a hanger. When I finished with everything it was chucked into plastic bags and then into box no2. Another great help is to ensure that all the times are taped up somewhere easy to see as well as a spare copy of the test. I also always ensured I had a flask of tea and water as so often, there simply is not time to get any sort of refreshments till you have finished and you do need it!.
 
I make it easier for myself by being as minimalistic as possible. My horse just has one bridle and one saddle (a dressage saddle) that don't need altering between phases so I can ride straight from the dressage to the showjumping.

This is my list:

Horse
2 x haynets
Bridle, saddle, saddlecloth and girth
Boots for XC
Long and short whip
Hat, boots and spurs
XC colours
Grooming kit and first aid items
Bucket and sponge
Passport, number bib and medical armband.
Money
No studs as horse doesn't have shoes

I feel like a pauper when parked next to people with flash lorries and all the kit :o
 
I have a trailer so I can not leave the usual bits and bobs in a lorry which would be handy. I do however have a box that remains packed with my number bib, hat silks, first aid kit, ice tight, stud kit, whip, waffle rug etc etc - all the little bits and bobs you need. I then have a tack pack which is always packed the night before and ready to wheel out. I try and have everything ready so all I have to do is groom, plat and muck out before we go.

If I am close enough I will always walk the courses the day before too. I also try and take a friend with me for an extra pair of hands but it doesn't always work out that way. Other things people have said - make sure your stud holes are cleared out and filled with cotton wool ready to go. Make sure your passport is handy etc etc.

Oh and if you are on your own don't forget your mounting block.. had to get on from the car bonnet a couple of times.. not good for the car bonnet!

Good luck!
 
Put your number in your bib as soon as you get it. It's absolutely impossible to do when you're 10mins behind schedule, rushing and it's raining and gone soggy.

ps. RobinHood - how on EARTH do you manage to go XC in a dressage saddle :eek:. I evented in all phases in a GP for years and would happily do dressage in my jumping saddle but couldn't even hope to survive the other way round! :eek:
 
And I had a pretty nasty fall jumping a grid in a dressage saddle - I had brought that with me and not my jump. Would never ever do it again as it massively dented my confidence and I really hurt myself!

Anyone also take a spare pair of breeches as well? and a quick "clean up rider" pack? just found mine in my competing kit - body wipes, face wipes, anti pong and cheap moisturiser..
 
Luci07 said:
And I had a pretty nasty fall jumping a grid in a dressage saddle - I had brought that with me and not my jump. Would never ever do it again as it massively dented my confidence and I really hurt myself!

Anyone also take a spare pair of breeches as well? and a quick "clean up rider" pack? just found mine in my competing kit - body wipes, face wipes, anti pong and cheap moisturiser..
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YES! I always take a spare pair - the old bio basher is always packed too and the baby wipes. I also didn't realize about the rule change. Black or blue jacket and white breeches and tweeds with cream. I had a bluey tweed and white breeches and Larkhill and was pulled up going into the dressage. They were fine but just said to remember next time..
 
I always went on my own - always localish though, cant be doing with driving for hours, and then having to walk the course.

Pack everything up in boxes weekend before, making sure I have got everything (barring my clothes/hat/horses normal tack I use at home). Clean tack as necessary.

Day before - walk course; get home pack everything in truck. Don't bath horse, waste of time - might go to yard and give it a good brush though.

Morning before - get to yard. Hitch trailer up (mine is very awkward to do, as very tight space, and trailer is immovable by hand, it has taken up to 20 minutes before). Put all tack from yard into truck. Make some vauge attempt at brushing/plaiting horse (can always skip the plaiting if running late!). Pack horse in trailer and go.

Normally manage to get there late, forgotten something and in a foul mood. If I wasn't in a foul mood the horse would be; throw a tantrum, get eliminated, go home.

I am not missing the very early mornings, and the stress of having to go down the yard at some ungodly hour - I think it would be much easier if your horse is at home.
 
Always feel prepared and make sure you're not leaving everyting until the last minute. I am always pretty organised with where all the bits go, but the best prep for me is knowing EXACTLY what I am doing with the horse the week before, so I know we are 100% prepared, and not worrying that we havent done enough Dr/XC prep.

I always think a well turned out horse makes you feel better and more confident about yourself, so make sure tail is neat the weekend before, and mane is at a plaitable length. I normally bath the week before an event, so the mane isn't too clean to plait easily, and then wash the tail the night before :D
 
RobinHood said:
I make it easier for myself by being as minimalistic as possible. My horse just has one bridle and one saddle (a dressage saddle) that don't need altering between phases so I can ride straight from the dressage to the showjumping.

This is my list:

Horse
2 x haynets
Bridle, saddle, saddlecloth and girth
Boots for XC
Long and short whip
Hat, boots and spurs
XC colours
Grooming kit and first aid items
Bucket and sponge
Passport, number bib and medical armband.
Money
No studs as horse doesn't have shoes

I feel like a pauper when parked next to people with flash lorries and all the kit :o
Click to expand...

:eek: Minimalist!! You forgot your clothes!! :D x minimalist or nudist?! :p
 
I have a very long check list for events!

At the moment I use a trailer, so in front of my boy (securely fastened) I travel a wheelie bin, folding steps/mounting (behind the bin), water container, grooming box and bag of hay. In the wheelie bin I have spare bridle/breastplate, tendon/overreach boots, thick waterproof jacket for me, wolly hat, spare jods/shirt/pants/socks for emergencies. In the top I have a woollen rug, buckets, stud box, and quarter markers.

the wheelie bin I use is a slightly smaller than normal standard council one. All my stuff is well out of the horses way.


My checklist is divided into:

Riders gear - white pants, socks, bra, jods, shirt, stock, tweed jacket, number bib, boots, spurs, whip, gloves, xc top, BP, medical card, hat for dr and XC, hat silk.

Horse - travelling - bandages, halter, rug, tail guard, lead rope.
Horse - DR phase - bridle, saddle, girth, saddle cloth
Horse - SJ/XC phase - bridle, saddle, girth, overgirth, saddle cloth, jumping boots, overreach boots, breastplate.

Miscellaneous: passport, polo's, mobiwasher:), money (start fee), directions, stud box, water, buckets, woollen rug, sponge/sweat scraper, membership cards, haynets/hay, food/juice for rider, copy of dressage test, camcorder, groom if poss! (I usually go on my own), start times, mounting block.

I also have a 'day before' checklist: plait up, directions, take money/mobile, clean tack, riding boots, diesel, bath horse, learn Dr test, check start times, charge mob washer.

It has a lot on it, but then I very rarely forget to take anything to a show :D

I also have one for working hunter shows/side saddle and an additional one for staying away overnight (includes the extra things like hard feed/wheelbarrows :))
 
ArcticFox said:
Ha ha ha! I do tend to leave it to the day before!

in my defence its usually because I can remember all of the BE100 tests so its a check over to make sure I am doing the right one :D
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I learn mine in the lorry on the way! They are all straightforward as far as Novice anyway. In 10 years I've only gone wrong once.

Another vote for Supastuds they make life much easier, clean holes out night before and put travel studs in so you can just swap them at the event. My other top tip would don't forget to get your hat checked when you pick up the number.
 
lcharles said:
:eek: Minimalist!! You forgot your clothes!! :D x minimalist or nudist?! :p
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I wear my clothes!! If I event on a saturday I tend to compete at a BD comp before I leave in the morning (I'm the sec. at a BD centre so I set up the competition and ride first in the classes) and therefore I'm already dressed and just put full chaps over my jods :cool:
 
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