First ever proper ODE - any advice welcomed

scheherazade

scheherazade

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Ok so I have decided to do our first ever proper ODE but have no idea what is involved. We have done some xc schooling this year (hooray for Tweseldown and its sandy going) and are aiming for the unaffiliated 90cm event in April. SJ not really worried about as we have done a fair amount at British Novice and discovery but have no idea as to the format with ODEs. Even basic stuff like the start box is beyond me. I am worried I have bitten off more than I can chew but horse is far more talented than I am and so I feel that he would really enjoy such an event. Any advice, tips etc very welcome, in fact actively sought. Thanks xx
 
PS am also scared witless. But a little bit excited too. So please don't just say that I am too rubbish and inexperienced to give it a go. I know that some on here can be pretty forthright in their opinions and I don't aspire to any of the heady heights that many of you do but I would really really appreciate any help, support and guidance that you care to give. Thanks again x
 
Hiya! I've took the daughter to compete in 2or3, ODE's & I was the same!! It is a hectic day but well worth it!! I've just found I must try & be super organised the day before (very very hard for me, am not organised at all usually!!!) & load the car/lorry so that the items for each section are all grouped together in the order you need them so that its a simple change. The ones we did had around an hour between elements which I thought was plenty of time until we arrived then I found it was a 15min walk to each arena/start box!! Realistically we had time for a quick change & drink for both pony & rider before heading off again!! So now I make sure I arrive a lot earlier than the start time too just to check things out as its always different from the day u walked the XC-u can guarantee that u have to park the furthest away!! I've found the stewards are always fab & very helpful, also other more experienced competitors will help you out! I hope that's a bit of help! We are still pretty new to it too, but love it!! GOOD LUCK! xx
 
Definitely go for it, you'll have a great day! The following link on the BE website may help it runs you through what to expect on the day which is pretty much the same whether you are doing BE or unaff.
http://www.britisheventing.com/page.asp?section=749&sectionTitle=The+big+day

Organisation is key to a relaxed day! As well as the usual check list of what to pack I usually make myself out a basic timetable, what time I need to leave, walk xc, tack up studs etc etc, I find it much less stressy if I know I am on schedule.

The only thing I would add is if your horse is inexperienced xc maybe start smaller than 90cm. Obviously from what your doing sj the height is small for you but when you add in ditches, steps etc etc if your horse hasn't seen much you might want to keep it ultra simple. Also unaff events sometimes get a bit more technical than you would find at BE90.

Have a great day and looking forward to seeing a comprehensive report of how well you've done :0) !!

Good luck and have fun
 
Tweseldown is a relatively straightforward course so would not expect too much of an issue. I agree that organisation is key so when I did event, I would have my times pinned up clearly for me to see at all times. I would "pack" in layers for my horse so that as I needed everything it was in the top layer - less stressful than having to root around for boots and another box which everything was dumped into as I finished. So XC horse stuff at bottom, then SJ, then DR. Check your hat and body protector to make sure they meet the standards required. You can't wear a beagler now for dressage. Make sure your vacinations are upto date. I personally took clean numnahs for each disclipline as my mare would sweat so much as well.

On the day - when you get there you need to present yourself to get your number, show your vaccinations, not sure if you pay a start fee at unaffiliated but worth checking before you go!. Tweseldown normally have the dressage on one side of the road and SJ and XC on the other. Give yourself time to stud up etc (remember the WD 40!) - I check and clean up studs again the day before and stuff with cotton wool. Do not bother with the stud keepers as I have TWICE!! managed to arrive at an event to find I can't get the wretched things out. I collar some poor friend to support me, come to the stressage to take off bandagaes/boots, wipe mouth (horse not mine). When you go over to the dressage, present yourself to your steward for your arena, check how they are running time wise and keep an eye out for them as your time gets nearer.

Am assuming you would have had time to walk XC the day before, SJ is not always up so if I couldn't walk it the day before I factor in time to try to get down there in between but worth noting that it is not always possible to walk the course so a good idea to at least watch some go around and see what the problems are and how it rides.

Once I am all finished, horse walked off and washed off, my personal preference is to put icetight and bandage up, then put my horse away. I do try to go and watch some of the XC where I considered some of the trickier fences to be as that has taught me a lot as well!
Good luck - highly envious!
 
Thanks everyone, unfortunately the event is on a Saturday so I will have to get there at half past silly o'clock to walk the xc (one of the disadvantages of having to have a full time job to pay for said horse!!) Unless they will let you walk the course in the evenings after work?? Unfortunately the smaller 80cm class is on a Friday so couldn't do that one however I did do the BE xc training day at Tweseldown a few weeks ago and he really enjoyed it.

I had better start packing now - great idea about layering. Also, do you have to have a dressage saddle for the dressage part (I don't own one and can't afford one but might be able to borrow one if they are compulsory) And can I wear my normal hat for the xc part or do I need to go and get one of those skull cap things (my hat is a normal peaked one that I wear for everything but it is up to current standards) I don't know what the current back protector standard is but mine has (I think) a purple label on it that says something like level 3?? Sorry for being such a numpty. And thanks for the link!!

Will let you know how it goes
 
Dressage saddle isn't necessary, but you will need a snaffle bridle for the dressage.

For XC you will want a skull cap. At Pony Club and BE hats with a fixed peak are not allowed XC, so if the schedule says the event is run under rules of either BE or PC, you will certainly need one! Remember to get a cover for it (for XC you can have any colour), as the egg head look is not attractive!

BP wise, so long as your BP has a purple label with Level 3 2000 (or 2009 which is the lastest standard) it will be fine.

Have fun, and give yourself enough time! It is better to be hanging around rather than rushing.
 
Thanks Charlimouse - I take it this is the point where I ought to be losing sleep over colour schemes??!! Will go get skull cap and cover to make sure it is only my riding and not my attire which is embarrassing!!!!
Snaffle bridle no problem but can I use my grackle or do I need a cavesson? (horse tends to pull very good pirate faces when tense and the grackle seems to stop this) Thanks again
 
Grackle is allowed for Dressage under BE rules (and I think it is OK under PC rules aswell, but not 100% certain), so you *should* be fine.
 
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