Can someone please tell me if I should be doing BE80 or BE90!?

[Starbucks]

I’m sure you’ve seen some of my older posts but basically I’m of an age where BE used to start at pre novice which I’ve done plenty of on a few different neds. But not for a while. Had a couple of kids. Nerves aren’t what they were but I still ride confidently.

Got this 6yo who I’ve produced myself but slowly (she’s had 3, 6+ month breaks over the winter since being broken as a 3yo and don’t do loads in the summer). She’s done a few unaffiliated 80’s and 1 BE80. Always clear XC and either clear or 4 SJ. She’s very bold / quick / confident XC but has moments of greenness. SJ she has the odd pole but generally jumps better if she has something to jump.

Generally feeling I should move up to 90 but feeling a bit wimpy about corners etc in 90’s but also feeling 80 is starting to look a bit small.

What would you do?

 

[Equi]

YOU sound ready. Have a crack at a BE90. She will probably be great for you, you just need to be confident and prepare her as much as you can at home too with some pole corners etc and try to introduce her to the type of obstacles you know will crop up.

 

[AFB]

Have you schooled over 90? That will give you an idea.

 

[dixie]

Move up! You can always move back down again. If 80s are looking bit small then it sounds like you're more than ready.

 

[Starbucks]

Yes schooled at 90 but there are a couple of fences in the 90 at Eland that I don’t like the look of so have not done.

 

[Ambers Echo]

The broken bridge is only on the unaffiliated events if that is one of the fences you are unsure of.

 

[Templebar]

Can you not get your foot in at a different event first or do the 80 at the one you are not sure about this year and go 90 next time but get to some others in the mean time.

 

[Starbucks]

I’ve done the broken bridge.😀

They have a couple of skinnies that look very upright that I don’t like and I don’t like that new upside down bridge they’ve put in. Sure she’d just do them though just me being silly.

I think I’m going to do 1 more 80 then 90.👍

 

[Starbucks]

Upside down boat even.

 

[Ambers Echo]

Eland is quite a stiff test I have heard. John (the course builder) told me that the 80 there is the equivalent of 90s elsewhere. Not sure I entirely believe that though.