Did anyone do the Unaff Intro at Aston...

[KatB]

Last year?

How was it? Suitable for a green 5yr old?

Thanks!

 

[meardsall_millie]

Yes it would have been fine. I did the Pre-Intro on Pops but would happily have done the Intro.

 

[KatB]

Thank you

Remembered you did one and thought it was small, couldn't remember which class you did! Are you doing it again this year?

 

[poggio]

I did it a couple of years ago with a baby, was first 'proper' ODE and he relished it! Typical Aston style, very inviting etc... was happy with my choice as his first anyway

 

[Matafleur]

Did you do the first one or the second one? I wonder if they tend to be similar or not? I'm hoping to do the April as won't be ready for the March one.

 

[sare_bear]

Sorry to hijack post, but was wandering what the pre- intro was like. Was it worth doing (did it have a variety of fences?) or best just to do the intro. Would be horses first ode.

Thanks.

 

[pearcider]

unaff pre intro is a perfect 1st event for horses and riders. Very little jumps all v v well run as usual for aston

intro is lovely too although sj can be up to height

 

[poggio]

The unaff intro SJ when I did it was tiny!

 

[TheMule]

It was very straightforward last year, a nice introduction

 

[Horsemad12]

Think some of the pics are on EWW. Pretty much the same as the BE intro to be fair, they try and vary the courses over the year just like with BE but they use the same track, which runs round the large pond / lake.

Does have a trakener in but no open ditch.

Last year the SJ was on a surface if that helps?

 

[ihatework]

I did the pre-intro as my babies first one last year. It was very diddy and cute and ideal for very green ones.

The intro is also fairly straightforwards and ideal first time. Mine will be going to do this as easy first season run in March.

They do seem to vary the course slightly, especially the start. The time I did it the only thing I didn't like was the start. It was in the back field, you jumped a tiny fency then over bridge/stream straight into main field with marquee/flags etc and 3rd fence was the water - quite daunting for a real baby.

 

[KatB]

Thanks guys, Ben_and_Jerrys thank you, that is useful to know...

Hm12, I'm not bothered re. the Sjing, she is very confident, so up to height and on a surface is perfect!! Its the XC she needs inviting exposure too....

 

[pearcider]

The SJ is alway well built on a surface. i heard people complaining about the SJ last year and the organisers did a clear round session after the event!

I always think all the courses from are well built and very good for a first time at all levels. Our horses go to most of the aston events and a few of the owners are going to give the pre intro a go this season.

The unaff intro is also has a very good champ at the end with lovely prizes.

 

[KatB]

Thank you. I don't think we will be anywhere near worrying about a champs tbh

I did think about doing the pre intro, but 2'3 is too small really.... we will see!!

 

[Saratoga]

I think sometimes the unaff courses can be a little 'erratic' there, i seem to remember someone posting on here about a bank combination a,b,c in the unaff PN there as fence 3! But fences always seem to be inviting and on the softer side there, so it might be worth a go?

 

[pearcider]

yes the bank was fence 3 but not very big!

The only thing i think you need to worry about are ducks on the course!!

 

[Horsemad12]

Sorry to be harsh, but the ducks will all / mostly dead by the spring events!!!! Have to say i am suprised they are "allowed" them on the course for the BE events.

Yes they do have a bank early on depending where they place the start but I think they do this in the BE one as well!

 

[Sneedy]

My friend did the unaff Intro in the summer on a very green 5yr old, she got eliminated at fence 3, which I thought was a big ask so early on (even one of the Aston horses got elim there). Fence 3 was the dew pond, with a skinny brush on the way out (kind of at the top of the slope out).

I'm sure if you do your homework you'll be fine (maybe go schooling there 1st - I'll come and join you!!), but I didn't think it was a great course for 1st timer.......

 

[KatB]

Thanks hon... we will be doing a lot of prep work IF the weather gives up anyway with having the XC course to hand....

But yes, not a bad idea about going schooling

 

[meardsall_millie]

It does depend which event you do I think. The early ones are fine, the late summer one included the Intro Championship so the course was a bit tougher (although I know the championship course wasn't exactly the same as the normal Intro, they did share quite a few fences).

The bank combo in the Pre-Novice was very straightforward and not big at all.

KatB - yes I should think Pops will make an appearance there at some point this year!