BSJA virgin - help!

Noodlejaffa

Noodlejaffa

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www.ailsamactaggart.co.uk
Finally got myself a new horse and am determined this winter to try some BSJA prior to the BE season kicking off in the spring.

I have never done BSJA and the thought of it terrifies me. My horse is BSJA registered so that's one less thing to think about, but I'm not sure about classes. I know there are some Senior Intro classes - is it worth trying these first?

What should I do and how do I go about it? And how do they run? Do you enter in advance, on the day.....?

Any helpful pointers gratefully received!
 
The first thing is to find out how much money your horse has on his card which will determine which class you are eligible to compete in.
If he's won more than £100 your not eligible to compete in the British Novice but BSJA have introduced new classes for people that want to jump in lower classes than the horse is allowed to compete in. These are called Amature classes.
Entries are on the day however a lot of venues are now accepting pre paid entries on the net but it's however you prefer to enter.
Many venues run classes 2 phase where you jump the first 7 or 8 fences, then if you've jumped clear you continue the 2nd phase against the clock, or it can be done 1st round in then if clear you go through to the jump off as normal. There are other ways of doing it but at BN level these 2 are the most poplular.
Maybe ring BSJA direct for them to put you right.
Hope this helps!
 
don't panic, it's really fine. decide what size of fences you feel really happy and confident jumping, and start with those. just remember that if your horse already has money on his card and you decide to jump h.c. in a class he's no longer eligible for (i.e. pay your money, jump, but can't win rosettes or prizes) you then have to be h.c. in every other class that day in that ring... daft rule imo.
British Novice is pretty small and fun, then Discovery, Newcomers or Small Open kind of thing, then Fox etc tend to be the usual order of classes, iirc.
 
Your striaght into the British Novice then! - That's good - a nice height that you can enjoy!

Maybe go along to a BSJA show to watch to start with, go & walk the course, go to the entry sectretary to see what goes on etc. Just have a general nose round!

Good Luck, let us know how you get on!

x
 
disco, they may have changed that rule now (but i doubt it), i got well and truly caught out by it once and was NOT happy at all.
noodlejaffa, brit nov is a lovely size, i'm sure you'll have fun. pop around a similar sized course at home if at all pos, so you're really confident on the day. good luck!
 
Another daft question (I have many!) - what should I wear? I'm a BE girl so I'm usually decked out in tweed jacket and beige jods but that doesn't strike me as being derigeur of BSJA! It's so much more glam (and so not me!).
 
hey noodlejaffa, i am an eventer who does a bit of bsja in practise for BE and from Scotland. honestly dont panic i wear my tweed jacket and prob look like an eventer but hey ho. even if i did wear a show jacket the show jumpers would spot me a mile of, x country position and galloping around in proper x country style, i am kidding!! check out www.bsja-scotland.co.uk that will give a list of shows in Scotland although seeing as ur in Scottish borders u might b really jammy and be able to x over the border! I have a minimum of a two hour journey but its worth it and stands you in good stead for the event season. Good luck!!
 
tweed jacket is fine. as is a shirt and tie, or a stock. just go and have fun. watch out in the warm up tho, they're mostly nutcases!
wink.gif
 
when i go bsja you can allways tell the showjumpers from the eventers sj- bling bling eventers-tweed jockey skull and beige jods i think its nice you can tell who`s who xx
 
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