Eventing and working full time? How do you fit it all in?

[star]

Last yr I kind of muddled through the winter enjoying lots of hunting, doing the odd bit of dressage/clear round and really enjoying getting to know my new horse before eventually catching the eventing bug sometime in May. During the season it was fine - I evented lots, kept my eye in with jumping and mainly had flatwork lessons in between.

However, this winter I have really floundered with regards to fitting it all in. We both really enjoy hunting so I wanted to make sure we got out and had some fun so we have hunted 7 times since middle of October which we have both loved. He has had a couple of short breaks of around 10days as didn't want him to lose too much fitness. It is now about 6.5wks till Tweseldown and I have suddenly realised that I haven't jumped a course since October, have only been to one SJ lesson and as I rarely jump at home (v small school and no help) that doesn't constitute much in the way of practice for someone who's confidence takes a nose dive at the slightest opportunity. I have managed to get to some BD comps and a few flatwork lessons and am now trying to plan the last 6wks before we start the new season and wondering where the winter went with all my aims to improve so much as I feel we have failed miserably! I work 9 till 7 most days, 9 till 1 on 3 out of 5 Saturdays and one Sunday morning in 5 which obviously limits me to a certain extent. It's difficult to get time off in the week although I do get Wed afternoons off 3 out of 5 so can get to my local show centre for evening dressage/clear round midweek.

It was a lot easier when I just did dressage and had to balance fortnightly shows with lessons, schooling and hacks. This eventing lark is manic, trying to make sure I get a good balance of lessons covering all areas, keep him fit enough and enjoy ourselves at the same time! How do you all manage it? How often do you have lessons/compete in each area? I feel like I'm constantly compromising!

 

[diggerbez]

i don't think that i do manage especially well to be honest- and its especially around this time that i am really not coping so probably not a good time for me to be reflecting really
i am in a more fortunate position as i am a teacher and so i do get holidays on a regular basis that i can use to organise training - so in my feb half term i am going for an XC lesson that otherwise i would struggle to fit in. i do find that (despite my other post about 'one off lessons) a pre season camp or two is an absolute must- as it gives 4 lessons over 2 days i find i progress much quicker and the confidence comes flying back...is there anything that you could get booked on at this stage jumping-wise?
otherwise i honestly just 'make-do' over the winter. i always think in my head that i will be jumping up a height BSJA or whatever but it never materialises- this is because i have a holiday over december from lessons and competing and then january is insane at work and so i don't have time to sleep properly, let alone compete! i just have lessons where i can and figure that it'll sort itself out soon enough. i've done a bit of SJ (3/4 shows) since the end of the season but not jumped really since the start of Dec if that makes you feel better?

 

[star]

i was thinking of doing the Lucinda Green 2 day clinic pre-Tweseldown in March but having watched the video posted yesterday I just dont think she would suit me or the horse. I've got a SJ lesson this Sunday with Richard Waygood who knows us by now so that should be constructive. XC next weekend with Rob Stevens who I had a couple of lessons with on old horse - didn't find them life changing but good chance to go to Munstead and have a school round with some eyes on the ground. Then got a BE SJ clinic with Anne-Marie Taylor which is 2 lessons in one day and on the waiting list for the Lucy Thompson 2 lessons in 1 day clinic at Littleton Manor end of Feb. Plus a couple of lessons with normal dressage trainer slotted in. So, lots planned and just hoping we get our mojo back as feeling a bit overwhelmed right now.

 

[SpottedCat]

I am super-lucky in that I work for myself and jan/feb are quiet months for me. So I make the most of it with lessons and comps. When I worked for someone else, frankly it was as much as I could do to ride, and I often didn't get on the horse until 9 at night.

In the summer I work ridiculous hours - had a memorable one last year where I worked 84 hours and could barely speak by Friday. I just forget riding at times like that - what can you do?!

 

[Gamebird]

As you know I'm in the same line of work as you (OP) but have a much better rota. The pay's still absolutely embarassingly little but I'm based in my car so have a lot more flexibility. I do 8.30-5.30 most days, 8.30-7.30 on a Thursday and one in four weekends (ie. sole charge from 5.30pm Friday until 9am Monday). This usually allows time to ride but I can't hack out nor, obviously, compete.

I think that I have probably traded off professional ambition for the ability to have a life outside the job. I married one of our clients so am now tied to the area and my contract has binding out clauses meaning that, barring a move into industry or suchlike, I am effectively tied to the job I have now . Any other practices close enough for me to work for/do the on-call for would fall under the binding-out clause.

So I make the best of it. I have always had a half day on a Tuesday but the boss has been to a lot of SPVS stuff about management and productivity and decided that we'd all get as much done and probably be happier people if our half days became full days off. This has been in force for about 2 months now and suits me a lot - there's hunting, BD and BS to chose from on my day off. Mind you, word has got around and I often get a late-night phonecall the night before asking if I can hunt a pointer/baby for someone seeing as I'm free . It pays to have something booked in to use as an excuse!

I have two to event this season and am increasingly serious about doing well which, as you've realised, means putting the winter groundwork in. I'm still behind where I wanted to be by now with both horses in terms of winter education but I think that my aims might have been rather unrealistic!

At the moment I ride both on a night after work - we have a walker so I usually stick one on there, ride the other then put the first horse on the walker to walk off whilst I get on a ready warmed-up second horse. This saves a lot of time in warming-up/cooling down. It is hard work this time of year though and requires a lot of motivation. I am also lucky in that the yard where the horses are is only about 400yds from my house so I can always go back after tea to sort rugs etc. out if necessary.

I think it comes down to how much you want it and how much you're prepared to sacrifice for a hobby. Would I have gone on to great things professionally had I not had horses? I doubt it, but I would have had more opportunity to do so.

 

[SpottedCat]

I think that I have probably traded off professional ambition for the ability to have a life outside the job. I married one of our clients so am now tied to the area and my contract has binding out clauses meaning that, barring a move into industry or suchlike, I am effectively tied to the job I have now . Any other practices close enough for me to work for/do the on-call for would fall under the binding-out clause.

You'd be amazed how unenforceable these are GB - I had similar when I left my last job.....if you look at my client list now, it includes a lot of clients that I used to work for when I was there. Under my contract that shouldn't have happened, but it did (for various reasons, none of them involving me doing anything underhand!), I took advice and the clause in my old contract was not worth the paper it was written on.

That's not to say it's worth the ill-will if you do break these clauses (at least overtly) - but it stopped me feeling so trapped! As it happens my old employer is also now one of my clients, so there are no hard feelings.

 

[lex2501]

Very topical.... As I think I mentioned to you when I saw you last weekend I have realised that I have taken on far too much and have actually come to the very tough decision to sell my Intermediate horse because I just can't cope with it all. I am so bloody driven and can't do anything by halves so since taking on a second horse I have thrown my heart, soul, and all my time and money at it, and as a result everything else in my life has suffered. Hit the rocks with the OH in a big way as he had become bottom of the list of priorities. Serious re think was required and I have realised that I need to be less ambitious, and take the pressure off myself. Billy gives me great pleasure at grassroots level and I will continue to do that with him, and learn to enjoy it again. You know something is going wrong when you lose motivation and unfortunately that is what has happened to me

 

[deskbound]

GB, echoing S_C, non-competes are 90pc unenforceable so don't let that close down alternative opportunities

OP - last year I was working F/T with two horses in work to event, I made a plan and stuck to it - but it's really hard going. I think you have to be realistic on aims and timing: admittedly one was malingering but I'd already discounted March eventing as I knew I wouldn't have time to do the prep the way I wanted to. It may seem the be-all and end-all to be in the start box on March 4th, but the season is now veeeeeeery long and many people don't bother starting until later, to give themselves a chance.

This year I'm working P/T with one horse in work, she'll start at N & even now with other commitments I'm wondering whether she'll be as fit as I want her to be in March to start. My job move has essentially sacrificed my big-C Career, such as it was, so I'd better get out there & win some stuff so I can justify it to myself (I'm joking.....)

It's a game of prioritisation, really, but it's important not to lose sight of why you compete: and there's nothing terribly fun about attempting dressage in horizontal rain/sleet on 4 March because you feel you *should* be there, when if you'd hung out on the dark side indoors for a bit longer you'd be winning more prizes in April (and probably have a better social life / bank account!!)

 

[DarkHorseB]

So, lots planned and just hoping we get our mojo back as feeling a bit overwhelmed right now.

This sounds just like me!! I gave my horse a little time off in November/ December and with one thing and another we have never really got going yet.

I can't even get excited about early events as it is so wet up here at the moment I feel we will never be fit enough to start in March - so we may start in April. I'm not even sure why this feels "late" as have never evented in March before anyway!! Our (my ) SJ is definitely the weakest phase which I meant to practice lots this winter but things have gone against us and we have only jumped twice since early November!!

I think January is just a very depressing time of the year and hard to get motivated!

 

[SpottedCat]

Very topical.... As I think I mentioned to you when I saw you last weekend I have realised that I have taken on far too much and have actually come to the very tough decision to sell my Intermediate horse because I just can't cope with it all. I am so bloody driven and can't do anything by halves so since taking on a second horse I have thrown my heart, soul, and all my time and money at it, and as a result everything else in my life has suffered. Hit the rocks with the OH in a big way as he had become bottom of the list of priorities. Serious re think was required and I have realised that I need to be less ambitious, and take the pressure off myself. Billy gives me great pleasure at grassroots level and I will continue to do that with him, and learn to enjoy it again. You know something is going wrong when you lose motivation and unfortunately that is what has happened to me

That's really sad Lex, but I can totally understand where you're coming from. It's one of those things that is pretty well known in terms of sports psychology I think - what do you have to sacrifice to achieve it, and is it worth it? People often think there is no sacrifice, but there always is! I know I could have achieved more in my career if I hadn't prioritised riding - but I was never very happy at work (although I am good at it), whereas I was really happy doing horse stuff (which I'm not very good at - go figure!).

I am extremely fortunate to have an incredibly supportive OH who supported me financially through setting up on my own, and even now throws more into the pot when required - such as for holidays - because I have spent all my money on eventing. I think it does help that I put in a substantial chunk of money to our first property together when he contributed nothing to the deposit, because he could see I'd make sacrifices where required. He also doesn't seem at all bothered a) about the amount of time I spend doing it and b) about the fact that I certainly earn less than I could (and a lot less than him!) because I am so much happier (and probably nicer to be around as a consequence) now!! I also know that should the issue of kids arise, I'll have to expect the horse to take a back seat for a while....so I am getting in as much as I can whilst I still can!!

 

[lex2501]

That's really sad Lex, but I can totally understand where you're coming from. It's one of those things that is pretty well known in terms of sports psychology I think - what do you have to sacrifice to achieve it, and is it worth it? People often think there is no sacrifice, but there always is! I know I could have achieved more in my career if I hadn't prioritised riding - but I was never very happy at work (although I am good at it), whereas I was really happy doing horse stuff (which I'm not very good at - go figure!).

I am extremely fortunate to have an incredibly supportive OH who supported me financially through setting up on my own, and even now throws more into the pot when required - such as for holidays - because I have spent all my money on eventing. I think it does help that I put in a substantial chunk of money to our first property together when he contributed nothing to the deposit, because he could see I'd make sacrifices where required. He also doesn't seem at all bothered a) about the amount of time I spend doing it and b) about the fact that I certainly earn less than I could (and a lot less than him!) because I am so much happier (and probably nicer to be around as a consequence) now!! I also know that should the issue of kids arise, I'll have to expect the horse to take a back seat for a while....so I am getting in as much as I can whilst I still can!!

It has been a very difficult decision to make but I really feel like I am doing the right thing and a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Don't get me wrong, OH could not have been more supportive and has never once complained about my absolute obsession with the horses, and complete lack of time for him. The problem was that I took this for granted and allowed it to become worse and worse, because he didn't point out that it was totally unhealthy. He only ever got the "left over" bits of me, i.e. once I had done the horses and was exhausted, miserable and grumpy! I guess I have been so busy and wrapped up in it all that I hadn't even noticed how selfish I was being.

I think it is all about finding the right balance. I have put way too much pressure on myself which has affected my mood too. There is no way I would give up, but I just want to make it fun again, and who cares if the horses have the odd weekend off because I want to do something else! I guess the problem with a lot of us eventers is that we are so driven that we sometimes bulldoze our way to our goals without thinking about the wake of destruction we leave behind us! I am very much looking forward to seeing the back of January...!!!

 

[SpottedCat]

I completely agree about making it fun again - I did that last year, which involved dropping down a few levels and getting it right. There were a few people who felt compelled to make snide comments, but at the end of the day it is my time and money, and if I want to win rosettes at 90cm/1m rather than make up the numbers at the other levels, who cares?!

 

[deskbound]

Lex- think posts crossed, so sorry about that, must be an incredibly difficult decision . Fingers crossed you find the perfect home for him. FWIW when I was working F/T & running at N competitively last summer, thinking about upgrading, one of the issues was that I'd need to find another job (not one that took me 8-7 daily, some weekends and travel.... ) before I could hope to do a proper job of riding at Intermediate again... .

I love your phrase "we are so driven that we sometimes bulldoze our way to our goals without thinking about the wake of destruction we leave behind us".... SO TRUE. Oooops!

 

[SpottedCat]

I love your phrase "we are so driven that we sometimes bulldoze our way to our goals without thinking about the wake of destruction we leave behind us".... SO TRUE. Oooops!

The same is true at work though, isn't it? Well it was for me! Prioritising the thing I enjoy, and being fortunate enough to be able to do that financially, has made me much less and much more

Luckily I was paid a pittance before and earn more money for fewer hours now that I work for myself. Well, perhaps not fewer hours as such, but at least hours which are arranged to suit my lifestyle, not a lifestyle which suited my employers!

 

[lex2501]

Lex- think posts crossed, so sorry about that, must be an incredibly difficult decision . Fingers crossed you find the perfect home for him. FWIW when I was working F/T & running at N competitively last summer, thinking about upgrading, one of the issues was that I'd need to find another job (not one that took me 8-7 daily, some weekends and travel.... ) before I could hope to do a proper job of riding at Intermediate again... .

I love your phrase "we are so driven that we sometimes bulldoze our way to our goals without thinking about the wake of destruction we leave behind us".... SO TRUE. Oooops!

Thank you It has no been easy because it's not just deciding to part with a dear friend, it's also making the decision to curb my life long ambition and realise that I can't do it. I work for a large consultancy firm and have a very similar work pattern to the one you described. I'm not in a position to consider a career change at the moment, and the OH means the world to me so unfortunately the horses have to give a little. He is such a cracking horse so I'm sure I will find him a lovely home. Fingers crossed I don't live to regret the decision. I will have a couple of runs on him then put him on the market and see what happens.

I'm glad I'm not alone in being so one track minded! My poor OH, family and friends...

 

[deskbound]

Not alone....! I don't have an OH to worry about any more (he whinged when I was dollying about jumping PN's on a hangover, so he was never going to last !) and I've been very lucky to stumble upon the job I now have... But I gave up all things equine for 6/7 years for work / various OH's, and did the "bulldozing" thing for the Career then . It wasn't so much fun, so I had a change of heart and two years later am struggling not to be a big C-career person, but loving the pony stuff.... Swings, roundabouts, right?!

 

[SpottedCat]

Definitely not alone! I didn't event in 2009 really, or 2010 for just the reasons that you describe.....

PS - didn't mean to imply your OH wasn't supportive, sorry!

 

[squiz22]

Its so difficult at the moment and its seriously depressing outside. Mine had a lot of time off before Xmas for one reason or another and then I spent Xmas abroad so now I feel quite keen to get back into it. I think one thing that has really helped is that I am at a yard where we are all really good friends and all event. We have a group email currently going round where we are all writing in free days we can school together XC and then we are putting in the dates of events we want to go to so we can travel together etc. I know its super proactive and I am the keeno that has organised everyone but we've all go involved and have been really dynamic so far! I think having others getting motivated has really helped especially when I arrive knackered after a days work and I can see the flood lights on in the school and people school/getting tacked up etc.

With regard to the other half hes been really understanding. He's not horsey and doesn't come down to the yard very often. I used to be at a yard on my own and we'd fight because I'd need a second pair of hands and he wouldn't do it but now fortunately theres plenty of people about. He also pays the lions share of the bills at home and organises holidays etc.

We have also decided that if we can find a yard to rent with decent accommodation and he doesn't have to get involved in the day to day running of the yard then we can give it a go. We've done a business plan and are currently looking at yards and houses without yards so we can weigh up the pros and cons. I'm stuck in a rigid 8-5 job and I am so keen to get out of it. I may have worked my back side off to get where I am but I am willing to jack it in to be able to run my own business and have that flexibility. I think the worst thing is if I could do my job but in the hours I wanted then I'd probably keep going. Theres a book called the 4 hour working week which is about how more efficient people are when they manage their own time etc and its a really good read. I am positive I could get the same amount of work done in a week within a lot less time if it was more flexible!

 

[squiz22]

Not alone....! I don't have an OH to worry about any more (he whinged when I was dollying about jumping PN's on a hangover, so he was never going to last !) and I've been very lucky to stumble upon the job I now have... But I gave up all things equine for 6/7 years for work / various OH's, and did the "bulldozing" thing for the Career then . It wasn't so much fun, so I had a change of heart and two years later am struggling not to be a big C-career person, but loving the pony stuff.... Swings, roundabouts, right?!

I agree with you!! Gave up riding competitively to go to uni/post grad etc etc that went on for years and have come right back round to just wanting to do the horsey thing! I even have regrets now that I didn't take my riding more seriously and re pursue it but my parents were adamant that I was to fund myself after I turned 18 and getting a degree was the path to decent earnings. I don't regret going to uni etc BUT sometimes I feel like I am so far behind where I want to be with my riding!!

 

[Saratoga]

I'm another who is struggling to fit it all in, with one aiming at Int this season, a coming 5yr old to get out and about, a dressage horse to enjoy and a full time job I am struggling!

The main thing I struggle with at the moment is getting the Int horse fit enough, I can't ride him in the daylight during the week, so weekends are taken up with training or comps, and I don't have time to take him up the gallops. It's weighing on my mind at the moment how I can get enough fast work into him.

I have already decided that I am not going to start until Gatcombe end of March, there's just no way I will get him ready for start of March!

 

[lex2501]

I'm another who is struggling to fit it all in, with one aiming at Int this season, a coming 5yr old to get out and about, a dressage horse to enjoy and a full time job I am struggling!

The main thing I struggle with at the moment is getting the Int horse fit enough, I can't ride him in the daylight during the week, so weekends are taken up with training or comps, and I don't have time to take him up the gallops. It's weighing on my mind at the moment how I can get enough fast work into him.

I have already decided that I am not going to start until Gatcombe end of March, there's just no way I will get him ready for start of March!

Wow, you must be super woman! I am so impressed Saratoga. During the winter I can't ride during the week at all unless I get the odd day WFH as I don't have any lighting in my arena so I have a friend who comes in and does all my hacking and fitness work. Is there someone who could do all your fitness with your intermediate horse for you to take the pressure off during the week?

It is so good to get this off my chest and get support from all you lovely lot, it's not been a happy time recently!

 

[Saratoga]

Wow, you must be super woman! I am so impressed Saratoga. During the winter I can't ride during the week at all unless I get the odd day WFH as I don't have any lighting in my arena so I have a friend who comes in and does all my hacking and fitness work. Is there someone who could do all your fitness with your intermediate horse for you to take the pressure off during the week?

It is so good to get this off my chest and get support from all you lovely lot, it's not been a happy time recently!

I always think it is just me that struggles, but seems there are a lot of people out there that are in the same position!!

I would love someone to take over his fittening work during the week for me, but I just don't know of anyone, and being on a small private yard that I rent means there is only me there

 

[lex2501]

I always think it is just me that struggles, but seems there are a lot of people out there that are in the same position!!

I would love someone to take over his fittening work during the week for me, but I just don't know of anyone, and being on a small private yard that I rent means there is only me there

It is very difficult to find someone you trust well enough to take out your pride and joy. The danger with advertising is that you will have about a million phone calls from so called experts who in reality are just established in rising trot!! I am lucky because a friend of mine mine freelances and exercises my boys for me. It's a really great set up and works well, but I do realise that I am lucky! I would suggest word of mouth is the best place to start. Where abouts are you based?

 

[TheoryX1]

Its not just those working full time - its oddly enough those in full time education. My poor daughter is really struggling at the moment. I am afraid she is finding A levels very hard, having sailed through the GCSEs, and the fact that she needs either me or my OH to drive her to the yard, where its dark in the evening doesnt help. Its also pretty depressing in January I do agree, but she has managed a fair old bit of dressage training and some PC rallies so not all bad. We are just about to get into the swing of things with her SJ trainer and hopefully trot off to some BSJA stuff, but it still really hard to motivate herself.

Slightly off subject - regarding the poster a bit further up talking about employment restriction clauses - I think it was Gamebird. I am another in agreement that they are not worth the paper they are written on. Have just had one of our Sales Managers resign to go to another agency, which is just across the road from us. Although its written into our staff's contract that they cant do it, just try enforcing it. Its impossible and he knows it as well. The only time we have been able to enforce stuff like this is when my business partner and I sacked our other partner a couple of years ago. He could not set up another business or work in our field for a certain length of time, and it was totally enforcable, and he kept to his side of the bargain as well.

 

[humblepie]

I must admit December time I was starting to wonder how I was going to manage two this winter (first time with two properly for about 5 years) but due to other things one of them is having a holiday and going to come back next month so at least the evenings will be lighter and I have just accepted that he is probably not going to appear on the competition scene anything like as soon as hoped for.

 

[Gamebird]

You'd be amazed how unenforceable these are GB - I had similar when I left my last job.....if you look at my client list now, it includes a lot of clients that I used to work for when I was there. Under my contract that shouldn't have happened, but it did (for various reasons, none of them involving me doing anything underhand!), I took advice and the clause in my old contract was not worth the paper it was written on.

That's not to say it's worth the ill-will if you do break these clauses (at least overtly) - but it stopped me feeling so trapped! As it happens my old employer is also now one of my clients, so there are no hard feelings.

GB, echoing S_C, non-competes are 90pc unenforceable so don't let that close down alternative opportunities

Slightly off subject - regarding the poster a bit further up talking about employment restriction clauses - I think it was Gamebird. I am another in agreement that they are not worth the paper they are written on. Have just had one of our Sales Managers resign to go to another agency, which is just across the road from us. Although its written into our staff's contract that they cant do it, just try enforcing it. Its impossible and he knows it as well. The only time we have been able to enforce stuff like this is when my business partner and I sacked our other partner a couple of years ago. He could not set up another business or work in our field for a certain length of time, and it was totally enforcable, and he kept to his side of the bargain as well.

Thank-you - yes I'm aware that these are pretty much unenforceable but I think that the ill-will would be too much to bear. It's a small, close-knit profession, especially in this area and it could potentially make life very difficult. I have to live very close to my job in case of emergencies and I think that realistically I'd have to move house/area to move job. I love my house/village/yard etc. and would struggle to uproot completely. I have looked around and my skills are quite specialised so only a few jobs come up in the country each month for what I do/am capable of doing.

I'm going to try to throw everything into having a serious year eventing this year, then back off. I'm not getting any younger and kids will be expected at some point. My husband is relatively anti-horse on principle (long history of horses draining time and money from family business - all long before my time!) but likes me to compete and be successful and will help out if desperately required. He's going to be working away for the next year or two so I can be as selfish as I like on that front.

 

[lex2501]

Definitely not alone! I didn't event in 2009 really, or 2010 for just the reasons that you describe.....

PS - didn't mean to imply your OH wasn't supportive, sorry!

Only just spotted this - no apology required at all - sorry if it came across that way! Just thoroughly ashamed of myself at the moment

 

[monte1]

Star, I work pretty much full time, lucky enough to get to yard around 4pm, I think everyone feels pretty much the same this time of year, rubbish weather and no daylight hours to get things done properly, like you, I only caught the eventing bug last year and although nowhere near your level yet, I do plan to get out at 90cm, in April though, not in March for mainly lack of fitness reasons.
dont be disheartened, you did so well last year, perhaps, as you say, you just need a bit of a confidence boost to get you going again?

with regard to actual proper fitness preperation, I too have been wondering what to do about it, we have no school at our yard, but,are able to use many of the higher ground fields for schooling and lunging all year round, so, I have just about managed to get some evening lunging in maybe twice in the week, sometimes in the almost dark!! thoughout most of the winter and have just started to get about maybe half hour schooling in most nights as well.
we , like most other people, have done nothing much all winter, went out SJ twice since September and that has been it. I guess, the one thing we have managed to achieve is to have a few flatwork lessons with a wonderful local BYRDS rider who has been, just brilliant! she has really helped me and horse to work together become "round" and work properley from behind, for, if I am really honest, the first time ever!! it is still a work in progress, don't get me wrong, but the difference is amazing and horse seems happier for it! so, will be interesting to see if we can get out to a couple of dressage comps and see if our scores improve on last year!!!
I am just trying to work out now how to fit in some decent interval training although we do have lots of good riding and hills locally, so very lucky in that respect! would also like to try and maybe fit in a XC schooling session over at Tweseldown if we can, time and finances permitting !! before trying an event mid April, if I am brave enough!.. so... good luck, I am sure you will do just fine, if last year is anything to go by!

 

[Gamebird]

I do wonder whether I'll get slated for this, given how many reports I hear on here from people appalled at seeing unfit horses at events, but here goes...

I never do and never have done any specific fittening work before or during the event season for PN and often Nov horses. I find that if they're working 5 days a week, competing every couple of weekends (a couple of dressage tests or SJing rounds) and hacking a bit that they're fine. They get the occasional beach gallop and an odd day hunting but quite honestly that's for my benefit rather than theirs. I've yet to turn up at the start of the season with something that wasn't fit enough to go round comfortably inside the time. I may not get them round inside the time, but never because they're not fit enough. I find that people get very hung up on galloping/fittening work at the lower levels and wonder if it's always necessary?

Go on then, slate me!!

 

[Saratoga]

I do wonder whether I'll get slated for this, given how many reports I hear on here from people appalled at seeing unfit horses at events, but here goes...

I never do and never have done any specific fittening work before or during the event season for PN and often Nov horses. I find that if they're working 5 days a week, competing every couple of weekends (a couple of dressage tests or SJing rounds) and hacking a bit that they're fine. They get the occasional beach gallop and an odd day hunting but quite honestly that's for my benefit rather than theirs. I've yet to turn up at the start of the season with something that wasn't fit enough to go round comfortably inside the time. I may not get them round inside the time, but never because they're not fit enough. I find that people get very hung up on galloping/fittening work at the lower levels and wonder if it's always necessary?

Go on then, slate me!!

I would agree with you in a lot of instances, but I think it's more to do with the individual horse, and less to do with the level to a certain extent. My first event mare (mainly TB with a dash of ID) got herself fit in the field. I never galloped her a day in her life, far too hot headed for that! She was as fit as a flea, stormed round her first Intermediate with very few time faults, and coped so easily with a 3 day without any additional fittening work at all.

I've also had a heavier ID mare that needed a lot of fittening work just to cope well with PN, esp a longer hillier one like Purston for example.