Eland Lodge - ODE

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Dressagebird

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Hi,

It will be my first ODE at Eland Lodge on Sunday (unaffiliated) and only my second ODE in my life so just wondered if anyone had any tips? I haven't competed there before but I did go over to watch a BE event so I know where everything is. I just wondered will I have time to walk the XC on Sunday morning after the dressage or do I need to go on the Saturday? Is the secretary's tent set up in the field like at the BE event? Do I need to take my hat and body protector to the secretary when I get there?
Any bits of advice or info would be great as I am nervous already so need to avoid rushing about and being in a flap on the morning!!
 
I cant help you as its my first ODE too. so im bumping this post so someone might reply and help us both.
I did the hunter trials there in July the secretaries tent was in the same place as Ive seen it for the ODE Ive watched before.
i took my hat and bp to be checked when i did the ht but didn't see others doing the same ( i might not seen them)
ill deffo be walking on the sat - its one less thing to think about.
and like you im stressing too - in fact i have been since i did my entry LOL.
ive got to say everyone was so helpful and made for a lovely atmostphere when i did the ht.
anyway heres to a reply from someone in the know. and best of luck on sunday !!!!
 
No idea about hat/bp will be dragging them along with me to the tent just in case. If you really want to know give them a ring.
Defo walk the course the day before feeling pressured for time makes for the worst DR warm ups ever!
get everything you can done the night before, even plaiting (but dont roll) if you have an early time. If you have white legs I wouldnt bother paying them attention if you bath the night before they are just as dirty in the morn! so save time to wash them before you go. Tail bandage a clean tail (esp if white) overnight even if t/o is another tip and obvs put a rug with a neck on I have a thin all purpose sheet which is great for the job.
I always find I feel so much better if I have planned all my times and got as much done as I can so just have a couple of bits to do before loading up and off away.:) good luck try to stay relaxed and it will be fine. Il be pootling around the 1m section there no idea about times atm tho!
 
I'm not being pathetic here but please don't bandage a tail over night. It's really dangerous and can cause really horrific injuries to the dock.

I did the BE at Eland and it's a lovely venue, you'll have so much fun I'm sure.

Can I just ask how you find out about all the unaff ODE's?
 
Thanks for the replies. I am about 2 hours away so I was hoping that I could walk the course on the day but I think I will go on Saturday so I can have a good look. Sounds like there will be a few newbies there so hopefully we can help each other out. I must say Sue has been lovely to deal with and the venue looks so proffessional. I just hope the cross country course isn't too much for us.
Good Luck
 
I'd wait until getting your times before deciding which day to walk the XC course - you might find you have a nice 2 hour gap inbetween phases which, unless you are a very slow walker, should be enough!

Good luck, I wanted to do eland lodge this time round (missed the RC areas as horse went down on the road beforehand) but as he's up for sale I didn't know if he'd still be about so didn't enter - sod's law is that he is still here :p
 
You won't need to take your BP or hat to be checked, they don't tag them like BE and PC :) As said, check your times before deciding when to walk the course, and leave LOADS of time to do everything, so you can stay relaxed :D

ENJOY!
 
I hope you all have a lovely day :D

Eland is a very nice place to spend the day (good coffees and a lovely tack shop - got my priorities right lol). A very good team there that will do all they can to make sure everyone has a good time.
 
I have two and a half hours between the dressage and SJ so could walk it then but I don't want to get in peoples way that are competing. Is it rude to walk the course once people have started to go round?
 
I'm going too! Also our second. Do you have to to plait? Nightmare got to get up a 5.30am as it is and his manes a mess thanks to daughters pony chewing it!
I was going to walk on the day but thinking as I've never been there might be a good idea to go on the Saturday and have a look where everything is without stresshead to worry about! :D
Good to hear all the positive comments about it getting nervous now....
 
yeh if you have loads of time walk it on the day :). I need to check my times now..and learn my dressage test! hoping it stays dry tomoz so I can actually do a run through!
im unsure about mane plaiting I always do it for ODEs :confused:
apologies for prev post have just reread and realised I put tail "bandage" instead of "guard" (donut) I often put a guard on my mares tail relatively loosely overnight to keep it clean (one of the velcro ones), she usually has it off by morning :p but seems to keep her tail clean - guarantee if I dont she poos down it!:)

just checked...yippee late times :p start at 3.30 :D
 
I am going with a friend and we are both 1st timers.................still not sure what you can and can't wear ( horse and rider ) I have loads of numpty questions to ask when I walk course tomorrow - good luck to everyone going!!
 
Dressagebird said:
I have two and a half hours between the dressage and SJ so could walk it then but I don't want to get in peoples way that are competing. Is it rude to walk the course once people have started to go round?
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No, as long as you ensure you aren't in the way on the approach or after a fence when someone is jumping them. The fence judges will blow the whistle if a rider is approaching and then if you just stand (way) to the side and let them pass before carrying on.

Enjoy it and get pics for us!
 
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