does this look ok? season plan

[diggerbez]

do you guys think this looks ok as a possible plan for my rising 5 year old next season? obviously its very flexible and will depend upon how he's going, the ground, cancellations etc etc but i think it looks ok? i wouldn't be planning to really do other comps with him in between. as background he's pretty fit- has Dressaged and done a bit of sjing this season...
i don't want to break him

mid March- Kelsall Unafil HT

beginning April- Somerford BE80 class (which i presume will be over the tiddly PC jumps?)

beginning May- PC ODE at Smallwood or HT somewhere if i can find one

Mid june- Hutton BE80

Start july- Eland Lodge BE90

Mid july- Malpas BE90

Start August- Thornton Watlass BE90

Mid August- Richmond BE90

Mid Sept- Hutton BE90

End sept kelsall BE90

does this sound too much?

i can't decide.....

 

[MerryMAL]

Sounds good can't comment on the events though too far from me...Not too much if you keep him fit.

 

[diggerbez]

thanks...lots of people have looked but nobody bothered to reply

its 10 comps- and i might do the odd DR or SJ in between if i feel i need to but i'd rather focus my time (and money) on eventing and HTs as thats what i really enjoy doing...then i can spend my other wknds Hunter Trialling my TB

anyhoo, they'll all be cancelled so whats the point in planning

 

[tricksibell85]

Looks fine to me! Im all the way up here in Scotland though so cant comment on the events

 

[langside]

Hutton is normally upto height in all classes but a really nice event and the course is always well presented and changes

Thornton is lovely good course for a baby

Richmond is often the smallest in the area but can still cause problems course has been simular for the past few years and rumour is that its getting changed this year

Also Beckwithshaw is a lovely event so i would consider it too

 

[KatB]

Nope, thats fine! I am planning on doing a bit more with L, just play it by ear, and be ready to give him a break if he feels like he will need it! Lucky is being aimed for a couple of ODE's March time, couple of weeks off end of march/beginning of april, then an event or 2 in april, and probably a fair bit of training! Then an event or 2 in may, some time off May/June time, then some SJing ready for 5yr old BE classes in July.

The no. of runs arent a problem, its the ground conditions, how quickly you go etc etc

I would rather do a few more "schooling" events on good ground than only a few runs trying to be competitive on bad ground! We will be doing a fair bit of Sjing next year though, as I know it is on a surface, so don't have to worry so much about legs.

 

[diggerbez]

yeah thats what i thought Kat- doubt i'll be competitive - will be going for slow and steady clears all the way

its hard tho isn't it, trying to plan when its on grass so you don't know what the ground will be like. have tried to pick events that i know and like (so somerford- amazing ground; Richmond, nice course, sj on a surface, Thornton Watlass, lovely people) but i've always wanted to get to Hutton so thats in there a couple of times ...

thanks peeps- you have made me feel better that i'm not a cow expecting my horse to work too hard

 

[jumptoit]

Looks fine to me

.

The only two I would consider that aren't on your list are Cumwhinton as it's very similar to Hutton but less hills and not so up to height but still lots of fence decoration and Beckwithshaw for the same reasons as both of these will give you really good preparation for Hutton and are lovely events.

I would definitely have a plan B just in case Kelsall is cancelled though, even if it is just an unaffiliated as however things go at Hutton it would be nice to have a final easier run to end the season on. That's my regret of 2009 not finishing on a high!

 

[dollface]

Its my RC that organises the Kelsall Unaff HT and we've never cancelled 1 yet! We're just checking what the course will be like and whether BE will have had their input into it

 

[diggerbez]

yeah i have just slotted beckwithshaw in with a ? mark- especially since i heard about the prize money

(joke

)...i'm reluctant to put cumwhinton down- its cancelled the last 2 times i've been entered there, but does look FAB from the piccies i've seen
Doubt Kelsall will canx- they have fab ground, on clay. in fact don't think they have ever cancelled and they run farm rides there all through the winter. you can school over the BE there too so can always have a sneaky practice (hence why its my first planned outing too- i'm at a camp there end Feb!

)

 

[jumptoit]

I meant the Sep one sorry I should have made that clear

.

 

[jumptoit]

I know what you mean about Cumwhinton the past 2 years preparation has been pretty naff tbf as they've run the area 2 Eventing for PC the following week but this year they made a real effort and it was fab.

 

[diggerbez]

[ QUOTE ]
Its my RC that organises the Kelsall Unaff HT and we've never cancelled 1 yet! We're just checking what the course will be like and whether BE will have had their input into it

[/ QUOTE ]

dollface do you know when entry forms come out for it? i did it in 08 and 07- was a fab start to the season. mark phillips is now course designer at kelsall- exciting

 

[jumptoit]

Ah just looked at the calendar and realised Cumwhinton is the same weekend as Malpas which I didn't realise!

 

[diggerbez]

well i'll put it next to malpas on the list and see how the summer weather goes

Malpas is closer but i think much more traditional (ie less dressed, more hedges) so think i'd prefer cumwhinton really....

 

[jumptoit]

Summer, what is that?

I still need to get my season planned but I think I'll be at most of the events you've mentioned

!

 

[dollface]

Would imagine entries will open end of Jan, just keep your eye on their website as its always over subscribed

 

[Shrimp]

Sounds good to me, as you said, kelsall and somerford usually have very good ground so will only cancel if weather conditions are completely diabolical! (I rode at kelsall in the snow one year!

)

One comment on Malpas, though I havnt actually competed there, but from what ive heard i think its an old fashioned course and quite twisty which just doesnt suit some horses especially perhaps for a baby? Im not entirely certain on this so dont take my word for it.

 

[diggerbez]

[ QUOTE ]
Would imagine entries will open end of Jan, just keep your eye on their website as its always over subscribed

[/ QUOTE ]

yes i remember that being the case...thanks

Flic- i do think i've heard this too- even tho i've never been to malpas so can't comment for certain...cumwhinton it might be then