Eventing 2025

TheMule

TheMule

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I had a lot of fun following people's adventures out eventing last year so I thought I'd get the ball rolling on this year's season plans and reports.

Nova is my 8yr old homebred who generally manages to do stupid stuff to himself and therefore ends up not doing much eventing (our record so far is 2 events in one season 🙄) so we're determined to better that this year and hopefully run on gaining mileage at BE100 with a view to possibly stepping up if I am ever brave enough (or I might put a braver jockey on!)

He started his season this weekend at Larkhill which is a very unique event due to its location and setting. I was never going to take him there as I didn’t think his little brain cell would cope, but he's so fit and well, and the weather has been so amazing, that I did chance it and we had a 'learning day' where I came away with an awful lot to work on, but he did give me a wonderful ride xc! If anyone watches vlogs then I will put the link below for the full story, and here are a couple of cool pics of my little pingy machine 🧡 He heads to Chard BE in 2 weeks time


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We’ve had a bit of a meh season so far. Lots to like but also a few problems. Definitely all related to our massive confidence wobble towards the end of last season. At least 60% if not more of the problem is my confidence, which then feeds back to him (though he can be a little 💩 on occasion even when I ride well). We seem to have cracked the SJ again (we were still having issues with run outs until February) but the XC is still a bit iffy in places.

Moreton we had a bit of a messy SJ, but jumping clear with time pens. Followed by an early run out at a straightforward XC fence but then once I pulled myself together he flew round the rest of the course a bit wild but very bold.

We were at Larkhill too. He was super stressed coming off the lorry for some reason (he also moved yards less than a week ago so maybe his bucket was just a bit full), ended up snapping his leadrope and going for a quick jaunt round the car park. But actually pulled it together enough for a 34.8 test, he tried hard but wasn’t quite as relaxed as he can be so wansnt quite consistent in the contact. SJ he was amazing, really lovely consistent round. XC he felt really confident and a lot more rideable and with me than at Moreton. But fence 12 got us (and a lot of other people looking at the stats!).

It was a huge skinny brush nest off a R curving line, all the things we both struggle most with. My line wasn’t perfect the first time but it wasn’t terrible, he’s jumped similar fences off worse lines, but Pepsi said no. Represented but had another dribbly run out, which suggests I didn’t have my leg on like I should have/thought I did, otherwise he shouldn’t have been able to dribble out from 4 strides away. Halfheartedly represented again but neither of us really tried that time. Incredibly frustrating and disheartening. I’m hoping it was just too big of an ask when we are both still a bit wobbly and haven’t actually XC schooled since last year. He’s a sensitive soul, and although he can be very brave, once something has gone wrong it does affect things (but once it goes right again and he realises he’s fine, you’re onto a winner again!)

I’m also meant to be at chard, entered for the 90 but considering dropping to the 80. The 80cm XC would almost be too easy, and I’m not sure whether it would be a good little confidence boost or whether it just won’t relate back to 90 because we haven’t had a problem with the sorts of fences in their 80 classes… have XC schooling booked for the weekend and will ask my instructors thoughts tomorrow…

At least he looks pretty, and his barefoot feet seem to be holding up well and giving us enough grip!
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TheMule said:
I had a lot of fun following people's adventures out eventing last year so I thought I'd get the ball rolling on this year's season plans and reports.

Nova is my 8yr old homebred who generally manages to do stupid stuff to himself and therefore ends up not doing much eventing (our record so far is 2 events in one season 🙄) so we're determined to better that this year and hopefully run on gaining mileage at BE100 with a view to possibly stepping up if I am ever brave enough (or I might put a braver jockey on!)

He started his season this weekend at Larkhill which is a very unique event due to its location and setting. I was never going to take him there as I didn’t think his little brain cell would cope, but he's so fit and well, and the weather has been so amazing, that I did chance it and we had a 'learning day' where I came away with an awful lot to work on, but he did give me a wonderful ride xc! If anyone watches vlogs then I will put the link below for the full story, and here are a couple of cool pics of my little pingy machine 🧡 He heads to Chard BE in 2 weeks time


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Hes just so cool! There is so much going on at Larkhill, I know a lot of people find the dressage there a bit of a challenge! Especially early season on a horse that enjoys the job!
 
iknowmyvalue said:
We’ve had a bit of a meh season so far. Lots to like but also a few problems. Definitely all related to our massive confidence wobble towards the end of last season. At least 60% if not more of the problem is my confidence, which then feeds back to him (though he can be a little 💩 on occasion even when I ride well). We seem to have cracked the SJ again (we were still having issues with run outs until February) but the XC is still a bit iffy in places.

Moreton we had a bit of a messy SJ, but jumping clear with time pens. Followed by an early run out at a straightforward XC fence but then once I pulled myself together he flew round the rest of the course a bit wild but very bold.

We were at Larkhill too. He was super stressed coming off the lorry for some reason (he also moved yards less than a week ago so maybe his bucket was just a bit full), ended up snapping his leadrope and going for a quick jaunt round the car park. But actually pulled it together enough for a 34.8 test, he tried hard but wasn’t quite as relaxed as he can be so wansnt quite consistent in the contact. SJ he was amazing, really lovely consistent round. XC he felt really confident and a lot more rideable and with me than at Moreton. But fence 12 got us (and a lot of other people looking at the stats!).

It was a huge skinny brush nest off a R curving line, all the things we both struggle most with. My line wasn’t perfect the first time but it wasn’t terrible, he’s jumped similar fences off worse lines, but Pepsi said no. Represented but had another dribbly run out, which suggests I didn’t have my leg on like I should have/thought I did, otherwise he shouldn’t have been able to dribble out from 4 strides away. Halfheartedly represented again but neither of us really tried that time. Incredibly frustrating and disheartening. I’m hoping it was just too big of an ask when we are both still a bit wobbly and haven’t actually XC schooled since last year. He’s a sensitive soul, and although he can be very brave, once something has gone wrong it does affect things (but once it goes right again and he realises he’s fine, you’re onto a winner again!)

I’m also meant to be at chard, entered for the 90 but considering dropping to the 80. The 80cm XC would almost be too easy, and I’m not sure whether it would be a good little confidence boost or whether it just won’t relate back to 90 because we haven’t had a problem with the sorts of fences in their 80 classes… have XC schooling booked for the weekend and will ask my instructors thoughts tomorrow…

At least he looks pretty, and his barefoot feet seem to be holding up well and giving us enough grip!
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OMG…l he escaped at Larkhill? Horses have been lost for days on the plain, it's like my worst nightmare 😳😂
That skinny brush caught a lot of people out in the 90- I think the 100 line was easier as more just laid out in front of you. I wouldn’t overthink that one, it was a tough ask and you wont often see something like that at 90 (although Chard do have a similar one and did site it quite meanly last year)
 
iknowmyvalue said:
Hes just so cool! There is so much going on at Larkhill, I know a lot of people find the dressage there a bit of a challenge! Especially early season on a horse that enjoys the job!
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I don’t know how anyone does a good test at Larkhill, it is so hard for the horses to focus. I've certainly never done anything approaching a good test there!
 
TheMule said:
OMG…l he escaped at Larkhill? Horses have been lost for days on the plain, it's like my worst nightmare 😳😂
That skinny brush caught a lot of people out in the 90- I think the 100 line was easier as more just laid out in front of you. I wouldn’t overthink that one, it was a tough ask and you wont often see something like that at 90 (although Chard do have a similar one and did site it quite meanly last year)
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He only got about 3 lorries down thankfully before someone headed him off and he decided maybe the grass might be more interesting 😅

Yeah it was a tough one for this early on I thought! He jumped the one at chard last season brilliantly even though he slipped down that hill, but it was later on and we were on a confidence high at that point! That exact fence is the only reason I’m thinking of dropping to the 80cm there, though if they site it a bit more nicely and have the Christmas trees either side we could probably give it a crack…

The 90 at Bovington and Mendip (which is the plan after that) look perfectly nice and doable!
 
iknowmyvalue said:
He only got about 3 lorries down thankfully before someone headed him off and he decided maybe the grass might be more interesting 😅

Yeah it was a tough one for this early on I thought! He jumped the one at chard last season brilliantly even though he slipped down that hill, but it was later on and we were on a confidence high at that point! That exact fence is the only reason I’m thinking of dropping to the 80cm there, though if they site it a bit more nicely and have the Christmas trees either side we could probably give it a crack…

The 90 at Bovington and Mendip (which is the plan after that) look perfectly nice and doable!
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Bovvy and MPEC are both very nice flat, straightforward tracks which are educational without being bonkers technical.
Nova didn’t jump the 100 version of that fence at Chard well last year so I'm also risking it a bit, though I think he is in a better place now as that was his first 100 and he isn’t hugely experienced. I'm hoping the are a bit kinder with it this time!
 
@iknowmyvalue confidence is a fickle thing - can you put your finger on what causes it? One thing I learnt from Jon Pitt’s years ago was that before xc it’s worth having a song which pumps you up and to raise your heart rate - he used to get one of his riders boxing before Badminton for instance. It is a thought I have been having as sometimes I am quite laid back and calm and probably need to up my brain and switch on a bit more.

Who do you train with? You are Devon? Have you tried Cameron Beer? I just think Cameron is quite good at doing training which tests you and building confidence.
 
RachelFerd said:
well done @TheMule and @iknowmyvalue ... my season hasn't started yet. I was entered for Lincolnshire and Thoresby but horse started coughing and is now on steriods - back in work again but will be late May before we're competition ready. Our aim is to be at Cornbury for the thoroughbred class with £35k prize money - hahah!
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This was on my radar too but we are also out with breathing issues/ coughing :( Getting less convinced mine is making it back to eventing but we'll keep on picking away and see what happens!

Envious of all who are out eventing. TM and IKMV - well done, sounds like you've both had solid starts to the season.
 
RachelFerd said:
well done @TheMule and @iknowmyvalue ... my season hasn't started yet. I was entered for Lincolnshire and Thoresby but horse started coughing and is now on steriods - back in work again but will be late May before we're competition ready. Our aim is to be at Cornbury for the thoroughbred class with £35k prize money - hahah!
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Bloody horses! I hope you get going soon and then clean up at Cornbury 🤞😂
 
Squeak said:
This was on my radar too but we are also out with breathing issues/ coughing :( Getting less convinced mine is making it back to eventing but we'll keep on picking away and see what happens!
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Nova gets a seasonal pollen allergy that makes him cough at this time of year- generally a short course of steroids knocks it on its head. 🤞 you can get sorted asap
 
Just going to live through everyones eventing vlogs/posts. Will be buying future event horse in a couple months but wont be ready to compete until next year 🙈
 
LEC said:
@iknowmyvalue confidence is a fickle thing - can you put your finger on what causes it? One thing I learnt from Jon Pitt’s years ago was that before xc it’s worth having a song which pumps you up and to raise your heart rate - he used to get one of his riders boxing before Badminton for instance. It is a thought I have been having as sometimes I am quite laid back and calm and probably need to up my brain and switch on a bit more.

Who do you train with? You are Devon? Have you tried Cameron Beer? I just think Cameron is quite good at doing training which tests you and building confidence.
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It’s a lot of self doubt/lack of self belief, coupled with trauma from a fatal (for the horse) rotational a number of years ago. Basically a fear of something going wrong and injuring the horse/ruining him/having another traumatic fall. I just think we are getting there, but then something goes wrong and we are back to (not quite) square one. I keep meaning to do some confidence coaching/therapy (I’ve already done the CBT route, it helped but wasn’t riding specific enough) but time/finance restrictions mean I haven’t got round to it yet.

Pepsi being so sensitive is a blessing and a curse, it makes him a fantastic, responsive and fun ride, but also means he knows when I’m not sure and then he’s not sure. He’ll only save me so many times before he loses his confidence too.

We have lessons with Cameron every week (as of December) And he is brilliant, has transformed us as a combination. I’m sure after a couple of XC clinics with him we will be back on track (I’ve already booked one for this month and one for next). I can do it all over showjumps again now, but just need to properly translate it to the XC
 
RachelFerd said:
well done @TheMule and @iknowmyvalue ... my season hasn't started yet. I was entered for Lincolnshire and Thoresby but horse started coughing and is now on steriods - back in work again but will be late May before we're competition ready. Our aim is to be at Cornbury for the thoroughbred class with £35k prize money - hahah!
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Hopefully you’re back on track soon!
 
I ended up using NLP/TFT which I found very good when I was literally falling apart and couldn’t ride from nerves. I used Jo Cooper and only needed one session. Not sure if she is still practicing but it’s really good at overcoming trauma.
 
iknowmyvalue said:
We’ve had a bit of a meh season so far. Lots to like but also a few problems. Definitely all related to our massive confidence wobble towards the end of last season. At least 60% if not more of the problem is my confidence, which then feeds back to him (though he can be a little 💩 on occasion even when I ride well). We seem to have cracked the SJ again (we were still having issues with run outs until February) but the XC is still a bit iffy in places.

Moreton we had a bit of a messy SJ, but jumping clear with time pens. Followed by an early run out at a straightforward XC fence but then once I pulled myself together he flew round the rest of the course a bit wild but very bold.

We were at Larkhill too. He was super stressed coming off the lorry for some reason (he also moved yards less than a week ago so maybe his bucket was just a bit full), ended up snapping his leadrope and going for a quick jaunt round the car park. But actually pulled it together enough for a 34.8 test, he tried hard but wasn’t quite as relaxed as he can be so wansnt quite consistent in the contact. SJ he was amazing, really lovely consistent round. XC he felt really confident and a lot more rideable and with me than at Moreton. But fence 12 got us (and a lot of other people looking at the stats!).

It was a huge skinny brush nest off a R curving line, all the things we both struggle most with. My line wasn’t perfect the first time but it wasn’t terrible, he’s jumped similar fences off worse lines, but Pepsi said no. Represented but had another dribbly run out, which suggests I didn’t have my leg on like I should have/thought I did, otherwise he shouldn’t have been able to dribble out from 4 strides away. Halfheartedly represented again but neither of us really tried that time. Incredibly frustrating and disheartening. I’m hoping it was just too big of an ask when we are both still a bit wobbly and haven’t actually XC schooled since last year. He’s a sensitive soul, and although he can be very brave, once something has gone wrong it does affect things (but once it goes right again and he realises he’s fine, you’re onto a winner again!)

I’m also meant to be at chard, entered for the 90 but considering dropping to the 80. The 80cm XC would almost be too easy, and I’m not sure whether it would be a good little confidence boost or whether it just won’t relate back to 90 because we haven’t had a problem with the sorts of fences in their 80 classes… have XC schooling booked for the weekend and will ask my instructors thoughts tomorrow…

At least he looks pretty, and his barefoot feet seem to be holding up well and giving us enough grip!
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I was fence judging at Larkhill on Saturday and it’s really interesting to see a competitors view of the event. I was on the trakehner part of the day and there were zero problems at it! Definitely a rider scarer as I don’t think any horses were bothered by it.

My daughter once took her youngster to an unaffiliated event there and they put the tent pegging competition next to the show jumping arena - now that did blow his brain! He was eliminated for freezing like a statue with eyes on stalks and refusing to move.
 
TheMule said:
I had a lot of fun following people's adventures out eventing last year so I thought I'd get the ball rolling on this year's season plans and reports.

Nova is my 8yr old homebred who generally manages to do stupid stuff to himself and therefore ends up not doing much eventing (our record so far is 2 events in one season 🙄) so we're determined to better that this year and hopefully run on gaining mileage at BE100 with a view to possibly stepping up if I am ever brave enough (or I might put a braver jockey on!)

He started his season this weekend at Larkhill which is a very unique event due to its location and setting. I was never going to take him there as I didn’t think his little brain cell would cope, but he's so fit and well, and the weather has been so amazing, that I did chance it and we had a 'learning day' where I came away with an awful lot to work on, but he did give me a wonderful ride xc! If anyone watches vlogs then I will put the link below for the full story, and here are a couple of cool pics of my little pingy machine 🧡 He heads to Chard BE in 2 weeks time


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Ahh I just watched your blog and it reminded me of the happy brief months when I loaned Boss at Hall Place! What a horse :)

Nova looked ace xc, I'm sure he learned a lot from the whole day.
 
asmp said:
I was fence judging at Larkhill on Saturday and it’s really interesting to see a competitors view of the event. I was on the trakehner part of the day and there were zero problems at it! Definitely a rider scarer as I don’t think any horses were bothered by it.

My daughter once took her youngster to an unaffiliated event there and they put the tent pegging competition next to the show jumping arena - now that did blow his brain! He was eliminated for freezing like a statue with eyes on stalks and refusing to move.
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That blooming trakhener….. Scares me everytime, but rides really well!
I jump judged on Sunday, we got the water which was nice. They are such a nice, friendly team to work with
 
I always enjoy both of your event reports but that's the first time I've watched one of the vlogs. I really enjoyed it! Well done, glad you had a good day, Larkhill looks freezing and I don't fancy the tanks much 🤣!
 
j1ffy said:
Ahh I just watched your blog and it reminded me of the happy brief months when I loaned Boss at Hall Place! What a horse :)

Nova looked ace xc, I'm sure he learned a lot from the whole day.
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Boss was such a special horse- completely bonkers in his eventing years, but he took me places I'd never have dreamed of. Nova is named in his honor, but luckily shares very few of his traits 🤪
My latest homebred is related to both Boss and Nova so I have very high hopes for her
 
Matafleur said:
I always enjoy both of your event reports but that's the first time I've watched one of the vlogs. I really enjoyed it! Well done, glad you had a good day, Larkhill looks freezing and I don't fancy the tanks much 🤣!
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Thankyou! The YouTube is taking off now in a way neither of us had really imagined. It's quite good fun, but we don’t do anything we wouldn’t anyway and I think that’s probably key
 
Another fan of the vlogs here :) I'm just starting the latest one and wow that fall at the beginning @TheMule!

Lovely pictures too; I wonder if Nova would like some bigger showjumps 😂

Eta - just seen the showjumping bit of the vlog so see my earlier comment might not fit!
 
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We did decide to step down to the BE80 at Chard for confidence reasons. Definitely the right decision I think, had a fantastic run! The fences felt small and straightforward, and as proven by the photo below, the problems with corners are all in my head (which we already knew)

Dressage he actually did a really sweet test, but a couple of slightly wonky/distracted moments for 32.2, which I thought was totally fair. It still left us in the top 5 after dressage.

SJ he got a little bit fired up in the warmup, and took that into the ring, but still jumped a nice clear round. Buried him a little to the last fence but somehow still left it up 🙈

Onto XC. The ground was pretty sticky and deep in places, and we were running in the snaffle for the first time so took it steady round the first part of the course. Once we’d made it over the corner I thought I’d try taking the handbrake off and he took of like a rocket! Control limited from then on but he felt super confident over everything which was the whole idea! We came in bang on the optimum time, mostly thanks to his rocket fuel, and it was a bonus that we finished on our dressage to take the win 🥳
 

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SaddlePsych'D said:
Another fan of the vlogs here :) I'm just starting the latest one and wow that fall at the beginning @TheMule!

Lovely pictures too; I wonder if Nova would like some bigger showjumps 😂

Eta - just seen the showjumping bit of the vlog so see my earlier comment might not fit!
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That fall was not my proudest moment as I think I caused the horse to lose balance. She was being a witch though 😂
Nova is such a good, reliable SJer normally and has been super competitive out BS this winter. But horses are great levellers and sometimes they surprise you!
 
iknowmyvalue said:
We did decide to step down to the BE80 at Chard for confidence reasons. Definitely the right decision I think, had a fantastic run! The fences felt small and straightforward, and as proven by the photo below, the problems with corners are all in my head (which we already knew)

Dressage he actually did a really sweet test, but a couple of slightly wonky/distracted moments for 32.2, which I thought was totally fair. It still left us in the top 5 after dressage.

SJ he got a little bit fired up in the warmup, and took that into the ring, but still jumped a nice clear round. Buried him a little to the last fence but somehow still left it up 🙈

Onto XC. The ground was pretty sticky and deep in places, and we were running in the snaffle for the first time so took it steady round the first part of the course. Once we’d made it over the corner I thought I’d try taking the handbrake off and he took of like a rocket! Control limited from then on but he felt super confident over everything which was the whole idea! We came in bang on the optimum time, mostly thanks to his rocket fuel, and it was a bonus that we finished on our dressage to take the win 🥳
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Amazing day, well done you! Brilliant way to regain the confidence and to build on now for the rest of the season.
Where are you off to next?
 
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