BE80 and I feel clueless

Ambers Echo

Ambers Echo

Still wittering on
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13 October 2017
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So my times are through for Kelsall and it is feeling very real. Yikes. My dressage is 11.30. What time should I arrrive if I need to walk the XC course? What time should I arrive if I walk the course the day before? Where/when can I get my hat tagged/ BP checked? Is there anything else I need apart from medical armband and number bib? Do I need a bridle number?

Not sure how far apart everything is either there as I have never been to Kelsall before.

TIA!
 
The 80 will have accompanied course walks, Thurs 6pm, Fri 7.30 am, do try and get to one, probably the Thurs eve, as it will really help unless your own trainer is with you when you can go in your own time.

I used to allow about 11/2 hours to get numbers, get ready, warm up and get to dressage on time without being flustered and think for a first timer that would maybe be best nearer 2 hours to allow for tagging and finding out where it all is, if walking the course allow an extra hour, it wont take that long but you must not rush.

Take your hat/ BP/ Passport to the secretaries tent when you collect your number, first job to do on arrival.

Never been there so no idea about the set up, breathe, have fun and enjoy the day.

Dont forget to allow for a SJ walk, they sometimes have a break at some point for later starters to walk but it may not fit with your plans so you could do that in the evening as well.
 
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Thanks! PASSPORT !! I would have forgotten that I think so thank-you!
I am going alone. OH is in Belgium, kids are at school..... So I need to be super-organised. Not my strong point.

I am walking the course at the official course walk tomorrow so that's one thing out of the way. Though the jumps will look huge and I won;t sleep after seeing them :eek:

I need to remember that Amber can step over these and I can do the whole course in trot if I want :D
Though actually I don't really fancy being overtaken as Amber doesn't like that much so maybe not!
 
Kelsall is laid out pretty close together. Furthest to get to is probably the dressage arenas, but they are usually just on the other side of the dressage warm up field, which is pretty much straight next to the lorry parking. Showjumping in front of trade stands that is sort of central. XC course isn’t far from both the showjumping and dressage. It’s a great venue.
What day are you there? I’m coming along up for a day out, haven’t decided what day yet.
 
You would have to be going extremely slowly to be overtaken unless you stop and waste time getting going so put that out of your mind, keep moving forward between fences and if she does come back to trot to jump just pick up afterwards into a good canter.

Allow yourself time to go out and watch a few xc if you can, it may help settle you down before you set off, being alone you need to inform the organisers just in case, don't be afraid to chat to people in the nearby lorries and ask if you are unsure about anything or forget something, most people eventing are very helpful and will try to assist if you need a hand, the trainer may be in the SJ warm up so use them to put up the fences and offer advice.
 
Thanks Scats!

Thanks BP for such reassuriung advice.

I really hope it goes well. I don't have any particular goals other than not to get eliminated! Oh and to have fun.
 
I have been eventing before on my own and it's fine if you are organised. If you have time to walk the xc before the day it is one less thing to worry about. I couldn't cope with walking it on the day because my boy would get very impatient in the trailer and i'd be worrying about him and not concentrating on what i was doing. Also if you go and walk before you can see where dressage and showjumping and secretary's are, it just makes the BIG day less stressful.
One event I went to I told them I was on my own and they let me park in the nearest car park to make it easier to get to everything.

Take horses passport, BP, hat and start fee to the secretary when you arrive.

If you don't have much time between phases you need to be organised with which bits of kit you will need. Put them in different boxes or something so you're not scrabbling around looking for stuff. Also one of the most important things for me is where I put my car key and also when I get back to the trailer at the end of the day and start untacking etc. not to forget where I've put the key once I've unlocked.On more than one occasion I've been all ready to go home and can't find the blooming car key.

No, you won't need a bridle number. Report to the steward when you go to warm up for dressage and they will tell you which arena you are in.

In the showjumping warm up, there are always people to help put fences up and down and if you are doing 80T there are trainers who can help too.

For xc you don't need a medical armband unless you have a specialist medical condition that they need to know about. At least that was the rule for last year!

By the end of the day you will be tired and hopefully elated and suddenly realise you haven't had a chance to go to the loo all day!
 
Kelsall is fab! It’s a really nice viewing course as the cross country is in a bit of a bowl below the dressage and showjumping.

We’re FJing Sat and cross county collecting ring on Sun so won’t be there to give you a cheer on Fri but I hope everything goes really well for you. The team there are lovely people and like everyone else has said, there’s bound to be people around to give you a hand if you need one.

The 80 course always looks lovely and inviting to me and I’m a giant wuss :D
 
Just get out of the start box and ride positively at the first fence.They are meant to be inviting but the stress may have got to your horse too ,so leg on all the way in those last three strides . The next 17 fences will be a doddle after that one.enjoy.
 
Lexi_ said:
Kelsall is fab! It’s a really nice viewing course as the cross country is in a bit of a bowl below the dressage and showjumping.

The 80 course always looks lovely and inviting to me and I’m a giant wuss :D
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Sounds great. It does not look too bad on the video but fences always seem to grow to double their true size before an event I find! Some of the fences seem a bit colouful but I know that won't bother Amber in the least. Just me!
 
Bob notacob said:
Just get out of the start box and ride positively at the first fence.They are meant to be inviting but the stress may have got to your horse too ,so leg on all the way in those last three strides . The next 17 fences will be a doddle after that one.enjoy.
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See this is my dilemma. Amber is VERY onward bound so it is always more WHOA than go with her. Especially XC. So I am nervous about attacking the first like I normally would with other horses as I have visions of her disappearing into the next country if I don't keep her very much in hand from the beginning. But I am also worried I will go too far the other way and have a stop at the first by being too controlled and tentative! I guess I need to recognise speed and positivity are not the same thing and ride positively but not fast!

I think I just need to see how the frst event goes. I just don't know how she will react. At Weston Lawns she was really nappy which I was not expecting at all as we have not had thay in training or at clinics. So I need to just ride the horse under me and see it all as learning and experience. Not long now. This time tomorrow I will be there. Eek.
 
Remember to tell the secretary you are on your own. I would walk the xc course twice, first time with the trainer and once on your own either the night for you're absolutely certain of your lines etc as this will increase your confidence. Find out when the sj course walk is and try to factor that into your plans.

When you arrive lay everything out that you need for each phase, if your times are close together I'd fill water buckets, look out sponges and your sweatscraper at the start, lay out any boots Amber wears and your clothes, number bib etc. The day before clean out and tap stud holes if you use studs, so they're easy to put in on the day. I would give yourself a good bit more time than you need on the day just in case of any hiccups eg I've seen people having to wait a while for the correct person to turn up to tag hats.

Finally, and most importantly, enjoy yourself and write a report for HHO!
 
I will look out for you ! My youngster is in at 11.06 dressage. No advice from me as i'm clueless. Its our first attempt too. Good luck !
 
Asha said:
I will look out for you ! My youngster is in at 11.06 dressage. No advice from me as i'm clueless. Its our first attempt too. Good luck !
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Good luck!! I am on at 11:30. I'll be on the big orange mare! Are you walking the course tonight at 6?
 
Hewre is my list of things to take. Am I missing anything?

Things To Take To A BE Event

Horse

Passport
Treats
Dressage legal bridle
Other bridle
Martingale
Numnah for dressage
Numnah for XC
Gel Pad
Saddle
Water bucket
Sponges
Sweat scraper
Haynet

Rider

Dressage comp clothes
XC Colours
Gloves
Boots
Hairnet
Medical armband
Number bib
Hat
Body protector
Copy of test
Wallet and CASH
Keys
Phone

Anything else?


Thanks and will write up when I get back. This time tomorrow it will all be over.
 
Studs (if planning on using)
Girth
Grooming kit
Spare plaiting stuff
Do you ice legs after? Probably won’t be needed
Always handy to have the rulebook packed
Fly spray
Lunge line (just in case wild or won’t load)
Change of clothes
Spurs/whip
 
Thanks!

Always worth packing things even if I don't intend to use them. I have never worn spurs or carried a whip with Amber so I better not start now. But I guess it is worth getting her used to me carrying one for next time? In retrospect I'd like something like a jumping whip that I can use down the shoulder to keep her shoulders straight if she starts trying to run out?

I feel like adding hipflask for sneaky shot of medicinal gin - I am going in a horse taxi so no need to drive for once - but better stick to sensible thermos!!
 
Ambers Echo said:
Good luck!! I am on at 11:30. I'll be on the big orange mare! Are you walking the course tonight at 6?
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I hadn’t planned to go, my daughter is gong with her boss though ( it’s my daughters boss who is riding ) if I see the fences it’s likely to make me more nervous!

My youngster is a ginger as well , though not big , so watch out for a TB looking ginger with eyes on stalks !!
 
Having walked the course, go and look at a map of the course to make sure you haven't missed out any fence and try to visualise the course that you will be riding.
 
Ambers Echo said:
Thanks!

Always worth packing things even if I don't intend to use them. I have never worn spurs or carried a whip with Amber so I better not start now. But I guess it is worth getting her used to me carrying one for next time? In retrospect I'd like something like a jumping whip that I can use down the shoulder to keep her shoulders straight if she starts trying to run out?

I feel like adding hipflask for sneaky shot of medicinal gin - I am going in a horse taxi so no need to drive for once - but better stick to sensible thermos!!
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You really need to get her used to you carrying a whip for the jumping phases, you may never require it but if you don't have one you have no options left if they do have a sticky moment, ours always go xc in spurs as well unless they are hypersensitive.
 
Ambers Echo said:
See this is my dilemma. Amber is VERY onward bound so it is always more WHOA than go with her. Especially XC. So I am nervous about attacking the first like I normally would with other horses as I have visions of her disappearing into the next country if I don't keep her very much in hand from the beginning. But I am also worried I will go too far the other way and have a stop at the first by being too controlled and tentative! I guess I need to recognise speed and positivity are not the same thing and ride positively but not fast!

I think I just need to see how the frst event goes. I just don't know how she will react. At Weston Lawns she was really nappy which I was not expecting at all as we have not had thay in training or at clinics. So I need to just ride the horse under me and see it all as learning and experience. Not long now. This time tomorrow I will be there. Eek.
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Reagrdless of how she feels a good rule of thumb is shoulders up, leg on and go :) Just focus on the rhythm - once you're approaching the fence you've picked your rhythm and have to stay on it anyway so don't change it on the approach and don't do anything crazy like dropping your reins a stride before the jump. Much easier with a forward horse than a lazy one though anyway!
 
Good luck and have loads of fun OP :)

As a matter of interest, are you a full member or doing it on a ticket? I got ballotted when I entered on a ticket....but then they had to cancel the event anyway
 
Pack some warm clothes i.e. coat etc as I normally get freezing cold if I have to wait between phases. Have fun!
 
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