Cross country courses - Devon

[louisevictoria]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a decent cross country course to school over in Devon ? As I am looking at doing some work with banks/ditches etc. I mainly stick to SJing normally but want to have a crack at a derby course at some point in the future.

Any pointers in the right direction would be greatly appreciated

 

[oofadoofa]

Oooh will be you be joining me in the Bicton Firstcomers derby?

The XC at Bicton is very nice. Where abouts in Devon are you?

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Winkleigh is quite a good schooling course, http://www.southcottxc.co.uk/. If you want to go a bit further Stockland Lovell and Pontispool in Somerset are good.

 

[louisevictoria]

thankyou - I saw the firstcomers derby on the the draft schedule for Bicton and did wonder about it - but my trainer has said it is probably not a wise idea as the partnership is still fairly new and neither of us (me and the horse) have done a derby course before so it may be advisable to go xcountry schooling a couple of times before I jump in at the deep end.

 

[oofadoofa]

Yes, probably a good idea. I think some horses take to derbies and some don't! My last horse got very confused about having to jump out of the ring at Bicton and stopped at a log even though he was a really brave xc horse! I thought I'd give it a go on my current horse though so I'll let you know how we get on!

 

[louisevictoria]

what days are you going for ???? Or are you doing the whole weekend?

 

[oofadoofa]

I haven't decided yet! I may just go for the Friday and Saturday I think. Are you going?

 

[louisevictoria]

Definately for the Saturday but haven't decided about friday yet as I may be working - in which case I will have to take a days leave, but I would really like to see the firstcomers derby (because I am nosey and would like to have a crack at it at some point in the future

)

 

[oofadoofa]

I would think the Firstcomers Derby will be on in the evening anyway as it's the last class of the day, so you could always pop down and have a look after work!

 

[dixie]

These are the best:-

Bicton
Pontispool
Winkleigh

Bicton has several steps, water and a ditch.
Pontispool would have more varied steps and ditches and a bank you could practise down.

If you want company, I could come with you if you like?

 

[Elle1085]

blackdowns hills xc isn't bad for schooling either also some know of a sjer who has banks in his jumping field. was thinking of doing the novice derby on sunday but i did it in newberry last show and it was horrible i've never seen so many stopping at the first fence

 

[louisevictoria]

oofadoofa - will PM you a bit closer to the time to see what you are up to and if you want to meet up.

Dixie - that would be fab - have been looking at the Southcott one today although I don't know how much the others charge to hire out, will look into it though.

Elle1085 - thanks for that - I hadn't thought about Blackdown