Competing Alone - the answer???

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Maloo

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Last year after daughter (Millbrooksong) and horse tipped up at Gatcombe (when I wouldnt have been able to cope with out the help of a couple of HHOers and a friend), it was mooted that I do something to help those that go competing by themselves.... So the idea so far is that I/someone/we could collate who was going to be where doing what so then those who were going to the same place on their own would know if there would be a friendly face if they needed help - do you think this would still be of use to us all?????

There is also a suggestion that if someone wanted an extra pair of hands for the day we could try and link up with a friendly HHOer in the area that wanted a day out while being a useful unpaid groom...

It could be something run on the forum, by pm's or someway else... Is there the call for it - is it something you guys could make use of?? (I know I am getting withdrawal symptoms as Song wont be back competing for a while yet, and would be willing to help at a few events when I can)

This might just be duplicating the 'Weekend Plans' email, but what do you all think??
Maloo
 
That sounds like a really good idea. What about a sticky post with a list of people willing to be a competition "buddy" for the day and list/group them by region/area? That way, anyone wanting a "buddy", could look up the list, find a member close by and PM them?
 
I think this is a really good idea, please could we have a Northern Ireland region
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I quite often compete by myself, and whilst I have no problem with being carted off in an ambulance (in theory) I would be really concerned that my horse was being taken care of.
 
It sounds like a fantastic idea. I competed at Aston le Walls last year by myself and they shut part of the M40, as driver, groom and competitor, running an hour late due road diverts it would have been lovely to have seen a friendly face or someone who could have helped. Everyone was lovely but of course had their own horses to manage.
 
I think thats a brilliant idea, i always have someone with me, but it would be nice to know that if something happened there are people around who could help, and of course i'll always help people who are competing alone, if i know who they are!
 
omg what a nice person you are,, i competed alone for 2 seasons until last year when i sold my eventer!! I would hve loved to have had somthing like this in place and i would have felt much safer!! I think this would be greatly appreciated!! and what a lovely thing to do
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yes, definitely, great idea.
must admit i was going to put a call out when i start BE, will prob be on my own, boyf might not come and isn't horsey anyway, mum's lovely but hopeless around horses, so i'll be desperate for some help.
my best friend is in the same boat, i was going to put a call out on her behalf if at all possible too... she's on the other side of the country to me, so we can't help each other.
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would be very happy to at the very very least pay petrol/gate money if charged, or buy a nice little pressie for anyone who helped me...
i know from past experience that the only bits i really need help for are taking boots off and giving a wipe-over before dressage, and putting practise jumps up before sj, without a helper that can get really really stressy!
 
I think its a really excellent idea. Although I'm trying to fit in a pretty full competition calendar this year, I would gladly 'buddy up' with anyone who is going solo to the same comp as me and just be around to lend a hand between phases. I know I wouldn't make the perfect groom if I'm also competing, but I can certainly be around to help out/boot up/sponge off/supply gin
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etc and would be really glad to make the difference to someone who would otherwise be struggling to compete.

Not sure how we'll handle it? Maybe all agree a keyword for the post title in this forum like 'Buddy Required - XXX' or even ask the moderators for a new section???

What do you think?
 
I think this is a brilliant idea. It's a bit daunting doing stuff alone sometimes and you cant always rope in friends/family.

Were you thinking of a separate slot for it?
 
That would be great, I 've trained the dog to take the boots off prior to the dressage, but he struggles with the practice jumps in sj...!!
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It's a great idea- I have gained some invaluable support from HHO people- I nearly always go on my own otherwise. There are many people who would love to be involved but who are probs too shy to speak up!!
 
Once I get transport i'll be competing alone as no one else is really around for Thursday BD.

I doubt we'll be very interesting to watch though, we don't event and we'll be making a shoddy attempt at BD Nov.

Someone willing to be a caller would be wonderful...

And although i'm fairly useless i'd be quite a willing unpaid groom this season before i'm back at uni.
 
That would be great. THere's only so many favours you can ask of friends and one who was a great help to me last year is now working full time and has new horse of her own so don't feel I can ask her especailly for mid week events. Be happy to help out others as well. Don't really need much help just SJ practice fences and knowing someone is listening out while I go xc that I'm in one piece
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Blimey - what a lot of responses!!! Guess I best give it a go then!!
Rowreach - hopefully we can find you a buddy in N Ireland so you dont have to worry about your horse when being carted off in an ambulance (does that happen to you often??!!)
Sunshine Tallulah - Im sure your dog would be welcome to help - buddy him up with Monkeymads dog and they will be twice as quick taking off boots prior to dressage!!
Miss Tipps - if you supply the gin I will willingly help (although may be more cost effective to hire a professional groom for the day!!)
Right - so where do we go from here - guess we need to find out who is going anywhere on their lonesome and may be needing a hand, and then we can try and sort a buddy for them - obviously this is going to be a work in progress project - so any thoughts on how we can do this the better.
Custardsmum - not sure if I am brave enough to ask for a separate slot - I'm quite shy really, I just skulk around in the background until needed!!
Heres to a successful, safe and sociable season for us all
Maloo
 
Great idea.

I'm currently setting up a website for the radio control car scene that basically does that, by linking a forum closely with an events calender. With very little adapting it could be used for horse events. If people are interested I'll see what I can do?
 
That's such a good idea! I would love to compete with someone, because I go on my own. I don't have my own transport, so perhaps people like me would be able to hitch a lorry/box ride, paying a fair amount of the getting there/back costs.

Region by region sounds like a really good idea....

Also would love just to watch/tag along with the experienced hhoers on here doing their stuff.
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Great idea

I've set up a similar scheme with my friends in case I fall off and can't drive home and vice versa. I've got all the contact details in my trailer of who people can ring if my horse needs a ride home.

Also got details of friends horses, whether they will travel in a trailer on their own or with mine, and where I should deliver their horse to if they're transported to hospital.

I've had 2 trips to hospital and that info has proved invaluable.

Would be great to know there were more people out there like me who go it alone. It's scary but I never did anything for years and years because no one would come with me.
 
Burtie
that sounds like a good plan - what do we need to do to adapt it - not only for eventing, but also for Showjumping and Dressage (if required of course!)
Maloo
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