BE xcountry time question

BroadfordQueen

BroadfordQueen

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how does the timing of xcountry work in BE? ie. is there an optimum time or do you have to go faster than a certain time? as i know Tara wont go OVER an optimum time, unless we have an accident on the course, but im worried she may go too fast?

sorry, just checking up final details before we register
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You have to be on or under the optimum. You are penalised at a rate of 0.4 penalty for every second over the optimum (and dont assume you'll always get the time as it's not always as easy as you may think) Then you're penalised for going faster than a certain speed which generally works out I think at about 30-45 seconds under the optimum which is 1 penalty per second so basically they'd prefer you to go too slow than too fast. You get a big ticking off by the official stewards if you go too fast.
 
There is an optimum time, but isnt a set time. It is based on the length of the course and how long it will take to get round that course at the levels speed, Sorry cant remember the speeds for each levels. But the course length varies, so will the op#timum time from event to event. The closer you are to the optimum time the better, but too fast/too slow you will get penalties.
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The times are much harder to get than at Riding Club Level, even at Intro. I have to go pretty fast on my Welsh Cob, which includes galloping in big stretches between fences.

If it's hilly, I generally get time faults.
 
thanks.

i went to a ODE on monday which had a timing system similar to BE then, and was one of about 4 who didnt get any time faults.
 
You will probably be fine but remember if it is hilly it is a lot harder as you probably have to go a bit slower down hill and it takes it out of them up hill, also if your horse starts to rush [as some do once they have done a few] it is the checking back that loses time
 
The optimum speed is 450 metres per minute at Intor and PN, increasing to 520 metres per minute at Novice. As Bossanova correctly points out, at Intro and PN, there is quite a leniancy on how far under the time you can be, but basically you are permitted to run the course at Novice speed (520) before incurring 'too fast' time penalties (1 per second faster), and obviously it depends on the length of the course as to when you hit this limit. BUT, 520 metres per minute requires you to push on!! My TB is comfortable at that speed, but many horses would have to be pushed. At Novice and above you are only allowed to be 15 seconds faster than the optimum, and then you start to incur penalties 9at 0.4 per second)

I would suggest you go to http://www.britisheventing.com/documents.asp?section=000100010014&itemTitle=Download+Area then go down the page to the rules section, and select Rules 7, the Main Rules, all of this information can be found in there, and it will answer many of your other questions.

As also correctly pointed out, if you go too fast you will be in TROUBLE! Typically it depends on the course as to what number of too fast time penalties a Steward will get upset, because some courses naturally ride fast (those with few combinations and good going etc), but anything more than 3-4 and you'll be in trouble.
 
Heres a quick table I knocked up just for reference.

I normaly ride with a GPS on my person during training so i can guage how fast each off the sections ride. Im lucky enough to have access to a nice mile long field to play in complete with a gentle incline.

Intro/Open Intro,
Pre-Novice Open Pre-Novice Speed - 450m per min, 16.7 miles per hour

Novice / Open Novice - 520m per min, 19.39 miles per hour

Intermediate
Advanced Intermediate
Open Intermediate - 550m per min, 20.5 miles per hour

Advanced - 570m per min, 21.25 miles per hour
 
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