First Ever One Day Event

C

Compasses

Active Member
Joined
8 January 2025
Messages
43
Visit site
Hi all,

I am planning on doing my first ever one day event at Eland Lodge at the end of the season. I’m very between doing the 50cm and the 70cm. I’ve done a hunter trials at 60 so far and had a couple stops (which was my fault as I didn’t ride forward) but the horse is WELL capable of 70cm, he’s 16.3hh so 50cm are just like steps for him. I’m going training there in a week to see if we can get round the 70cm course but I’m not sure if with the dressage and showjumping to contend with as well I’d be better doing smaller, but the other part of me says not to stay in my comfort zone especially as they’ll be tiny for my horse- could I have some thoughts?!
 
See how he goes training.

I thought we'd be fine at 60cm at a new venue a few weeks ago - pony thought there were gremlins everywhere.
 
Thanks for feedback so far- might be worth noting he has done 80cm sj/one day event with old owner but she was more experienced than me!! There is only 50 or 70 or I’d defo do the 60.
 
I agree with RachelFerd. The 50cm cross country jumps are rather tiny at Eland, especially for such a big horse. You can still trot and pop all of the 70s. Look on the cross country app for an idea of the fences.
 
This isn’t meant to sound judgemental (although I appreciate it might come across that way) but if you feel that you need to do the 50cm on a 16.3hh you probably aren’t ready for a ODE and should keep training. Now as this is an end of season event I’m sure you have plenty of time to get ready for 70cm.
 
I agree the 50cm are very small. We have completed a 60cm hunter trials (with a stop) and plan to do some 60/70 showjumping, so should be okay. I think the bigger ones (some of them are quite boxy!!) and the fact it’s my first ODE is just daunting me but my coaches all say do the 70.
 
Eland is a very strange venue. I fence judged at the Hunter Trial on Sunday and of 20 riders in the 50 about 5 went clear, another 5 got round with faults and 1/2 the field were eliminated. They make good use of the brush rule so although some 50s are basically trip hazards, some are full up 70cm. And the ditch hedge is an imposing looking jump at every height.

A friend did the 70 having been training over 80 - and winning at 80 BS and AE - and she took the black flag option on the 70 because the hedge was huge. A good 90. Plus for unaff competition they use the 90 steps for the 70, 80 & 90. And they truly are 90. But they do let you carry on after Elimination. Including letting riders skip certain fences or mix and match heights. They even let you remount after a fall and carry on- an option taken by 2 riders at my fence! So as a 'give it a go' course it's good.
 
Ambers Echo said:
Eland is a very strange venue. I fence judged at the Hunter Trial on Sunday and of 20 riders in the 50 about 5 went clear, another 5 got round with faults and 1/2 the field were eliminated. They make good use of the brush rule so although some 50s are basically trip hazards, some are full up 70cm. And the ditch hedge is an imposing looking jump at every height.

A friend did the 70 having been training over 80 - and winning at 80 BS and AE - and she took the black flag option on the 70 because the hedge was huge. A good 90. Plus for unaff competition they use the 90 steps for the 70, 80 & 90. And they truly are 90. But they do let you carry on after Elimination. Including letting riders skip certain fences or mix and match heights. They even let you remount after a fall and carry on- an option taken by 2 riders at my fence! So as a 'give it a go' course it's good.
Click to expand...
I’ve fence judged many years there and seen similar, funny we have probably fence judged the same event! This is my concern, the fact that some of the fences are randomly huge- I’m thinking the ditch hedge if they don’t use the small one (but at least there’s an option), those blue and brown boxes, the big steps and the bench. I know they are very kind to let you ‘school’ your way round long as you don’t take the mick and have no plans of being wildly competitive but would love to complete.
 
I’ve competed at Eland a few times and I think the 90 is the first height that is at a fairly consistent level around the course. The lower heights do have randomly huge (for the level) jumps thrown in for some unknown reason!
 
Coming from someone who has only recently started doing ODE’s there is so
much to think about including your timings, walking the courses, studding your horse etc. In addition I think Eland is one of those where you have to collect your number from the secretary’s tent before competing so that’s 20 mins just going there and back from the lorry park. It’s quite a lot if you haven’t done it before, so personally I’d be tempted to go for the lower height and have a schooling round. If you do more you will soon get into a routine with it so it won’t be as overwhelming. There’s definitely more to doing an ODE than the XC and I’ve found that half the battle is getting yourself organised.
Good luck and hope you enjoy it whatever you choose to do.
 
Coming from someone who has only recently started doing ODE’s there is so
much to think about including your timings, walking the courses, studding your horse etc. In addition I think Eland is one of those where you have to collect your number from the secretary’s tent before competing so that’s 20 mins just going there and back from the lorry park. It’s quite a lot to think about if you haven’t done it before, so personally I’d be tempted to go for the lower height and have a schooling round. If you do more you will soon get into a routine with it so it won’t be as overwhelming. There’s definitely more to doing an ODE than the XC and I’ve found that half the battle is getting yourself organised. I’ve found the staff at Eland really helpful when I’ve been.
Good luck and hope you enjoy it whatever you choose to do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top