BYEH

[ihatework]

I was wondering if anyone has done the BYEH 4yo classes and would be able to let me know what to expect if I decide to do it (was thinking of Milton Keynes)

Also how much preparation did your 4yo get in the run up? I don't want to overdo things but at the same time wouldn't want the horse going in and being over faced!

Finally do 'normal' horses enter in addition to professionally produced posh ones!

 

[pinktiger]

i took my 4 yrold coloured horse along i had neva evented b4 !! was fantastic exp felt slightly out of my depth,big posh horses (didnt care) I had done some unaff prelims and was jumping bsja disco, u do a very very very simple dressage test in the 4 yolds, they seem to like em long and low (or did) when i did it may have changed, u then go to a steward (straight away) who will let u alter stirrups but no alterations to tack ect (did the dressage in my jump saddle and martingale was allowed (then) 2 yrs ago n boots, only snaffle bits for all phases tho, jump round n then straight ova to the conformational judge (john killenbeck in my case how scary)!!! strip the horse and trot up!!!! was a blast n gr8 education for a 4yold aimed at eventing career!!!

 

[christine48]

last year Milton Keynes had the dressage outside and jumping was inside due to wet ground. the year before they had all showing judges for all 3 phases so it was a bit of a fiasco.
The horse needs to have experience of going in a dressage arena and be confidently going around a course of around 2'9. We try to take the horse to a few show jumping schooling days and little shows before hand.
You go straight from the dressage phase to the jumping phase, no practice fence between phases is allowed. after the jumping, they are stripped off for conformation. Top 10 come back in for final phase.
They are ideal for giving young horses experience, however judging can vary tremendously.

 

[emmah]

My now 6 year old qualified for the BYEH as a 4 and 5 year old and is a normal horse ridden by a normal rider so it is possible and she was the only coloured horse in both years

The classes are quite tough with the jumps being upto hight. Make sure you practice standing up for the judge and trotting up as most confirmation judges have nil patience for horses that wont stand still. Also as someone else mentions be prepared for a real variation on marks, at some qualifiers my horse would be way out of the placings then won others by miles! They are well worth working towards as the final is such a fantastic experience!

 

[Stoxx]

Definately a good experience for the young horses. My friend paid £100 for her horse as a 2 turning 3 yr old and he went through to the final at Burghley as a 4 and 5 yr old so it's not just for the posh horses and riders!!
I'd second making sure you practise standing them up and the trotting up before going though!

 

[ihatework]

Thanks all

I have an aim for this year now!

 

[BBs]

Yep and yep.
I did it last year - 5 year old, but watched the 4 year old.
Course is bright and up to height but lots of fun

Go for it

Snoop and I did it all amoungst those professionals and still had the 2nd best dressage mark