Drumclog 80T - should we go for it?

J

Jingleballs

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 May 2008
Messages
3,353
Visit site
My ultimate aim this year was to compete in our first BE80T at Drumclog.

It's a course I've schooled round before with no real issue so I'd ear marked it as our first venture into proper eventing.

Due to the wash out of a summer we've had I've only managed 2 HT's and 1 ODE this year along with 2 okish XC training clinics.

We've not been XC since May when we did Houston House which was a good up to height 75cm in most places.

Since then we've mainly done dressage and a tiny bit of SJ.

I'm not worried about the dressage or SJ element but having not been XC in so long and with the wet weather we still having making it difficult to go XC any time soon I'd pretty much decided to save my £75+ entry fee (I'd be competing on a ticket) and to improve my SJ and does some unaffiliated HT's towards the end of the summer once the weather hopefully improves.

But I just so want to go!!!! It's so local for me (like 30 minutes from my yard), it's generally a kind course with a couple of exceptions.

My main worries are a) pony is not really that fit - most of our riding has been confined to the arena and slow hacks (tracks are too wet to do fast work) b) my XC is rusty so we'd be winging it a bit and c)due to the high number of cancellations we'd not get a spot anyway as it would be fully subscribed.

So what do we think - am I best to be sensible and bow out for this year and try and be super prepared for next year? Or do I just risk it - what's the worst that can happen? I fall flat on my face (wouldn't be the first time) and curse wasting that money.

I keep swaying either way and the unpredictable weather doesn't help with any planning!
 
Babybear said:
My ultimate aim this year was to compete in our first BE80T at Drumclog.

It's a course I've schooled round before with no real issue so I'd ear marked it as our first venture into proper eventing.

Due to the wash out of a summer we've had I've only managed 2 HT's and 1 ODE this year along with 2 okish XC training clinics.

We've not been XC since May when we did Houston House which was a good up to height 75cm in most places.

Since then we've mainly done dressage and a tiny bit of SJ.

I'm not worried about the dressage or SJ element but having not been XC in so long and with the wet weather we still having making it difficult to go XC any time soon I'd pretty much decided to save my £75+ entry fee (I'd be competing on a ticket) and to improve my SJ and does some unaffiliated HT's towards the end of the summer once the weather hopefully improves.

But I just so want to go!!!! It's so local for me (like 30 minutes from my yard), it's generally a kind course with a couple of exceptions.

My main worries are a) pony is not really that fit - most of our riding has been confined to the arena and slow hacks (tracks are too wet to do fast work) b) my XC is rusty so we'd be winging it a bit and c)due to the high number of cancellations we'd not get a spot anyway as it would be fully subscribed.

So what do we think - am I best to be sensible and bow out for this year and try and be super prepared for next year? Or do I just risk it - what's the worst that can happen? I fall flat on my face (wouldn't be the first time) and curse wasting that money.

I keep swaying either way and the unpredictable weather doesn't help with any planning!
Click to expand...

I think you really should go for it! It is well within your capabilities and will give you such a boost for next year. Just go with the thought that you are doing it as a training exercise and not competitive. I schooled round the BE80 last year and really enjoyed the experience (apart from dying with a horrid cold) and really found it really helpful.

BE80s - you are more likely to get a run as nearly all on tickets. Enter ASAP to avoid getting knocked out. If you are balloted out, then look at as not your time....

Go K & C! :D
 
Thanks guys! It's one of those things, if I go and fall on my bum and embarrass myself I'll be mortified but it will also give up something to aim for and improve on for next year.

Ah sod it, it's only money and my shame at stake - *toodles off to enter**

Now just need to pray it runs!
 
Babybear said:
Thanks guys! It's one of those things, if I go and fall on my bum and embarrass myself I'll be mortified but it will also give up something to aim for and improve on for next year.

Ah sod it, it's only money and my shame at stake - *toodles off to enter**

Now just need to pray it runs!
Click to expand...

Woohoo! :D:D:D:D:D
 
I was by there yesterday on my way back from down south and they were topping the fields so are obviously planning to go ahead! When is it, could you not get out to some gallops before then? I know we're a trek for you but the gallops at our yard are available for hire (get me on FB if you need to, first time I've been on here for about 5 weeks lol!). You'll do absolutely fine!xx
 
Im entered and fatty has been off lame hence why im entering the 80. I know its harder to get c fit but remember its only an 80 and he was fine a houston in the heat!
Q
 
Entry is in! :)

Good point Quadro - he was absolutely fine at Houston.

Trying to schedule some XC lessons/schooling and just going to have to work him hard to get him fit enough.

From what I remember schooling round it's not a long course - a bit of an up and down hill at the start but then relatively flat.

Will see you and Fatty there Q - just make sure you don't watch me showjump - it might make you angry! :D
 
Quadro said:
Haha ill promise to be nice! Ill bring that book for you as well fingers crossed fatty stays sound!
You heading out before that?
Q
Click to expand...

Ha - I'll hold you to that! Would be fab if you could bring the book!

Out at SNEC dressaging this weekend and then some SJ next weekend and hopefully some XC training at a local course the weekend before Drumclog. Got about 5 lessons booked in before then too just to make sure we're ready!

Fingers crossed for fatty!!
 
My plan is to not jump him very.much at all hoping to take him to the amateur nations cup at rowallan if its on? Not sure if they are still running shows?
Q
 
It would be an ask for the little guy though as from what I remember doing jumpcross there is that its a hilly course and when I was helping out last year as friends were there and there were horses more sporty typed than your boy coming in with time penalties or not finishing.

Not dissing your pony at all as I do think hes a lovely little chap :) and has done well for you, if hes not particularly fit or full winded then you may be pushing him a bit too much with that course.
 
asyouwish said:
It would be an ask for the little guy though as from what I remember doing jumpcross there is that its a hilly course and when I was helping out last year as friends were there and there were horses more sporty typed than your boy coming in with time penalties or not finishing.

Not dissing your pony at all as I do think hes a lovely little chap :) and has done well for you, if hes not particularly fit or full winded then you may be pushing him a bit too much with that course.
Click to expand...

Thanks for you concern. I know the course well and have trained over it a few times and never found it overly hilly.

I've been working with a few instructors to get him fit for it doing lots of interval training etc and he's feeling good so I'm sure we'll be fine. They are also happy that he is fit enough to go round and know him well enough to make a good judgement.

It's our first 80T so I'll be taking it steady anyway - I'm not there to win or come inside the time - a nice quiet clear is all I'm aiming for.
 
Lucyad said:
Go for it! And I will be very jealous.....(tempted to google entry form, but can't really afford it!).
Click to expand...

Go on!!! Oscar would love a spin round Drumclog - especially after you both did so well at Houston! There have been so few competitions that have run this year so may as well make the most of it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top