First ODE - am I mad?!

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Gorgeous George

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I have somewhat rashly decided to do a 2ft 6 ODE :eek: on the proviso that we have some rain as I won't do it on hard ground - so I may have an excellent excuse for not doing it :D

The reason for my trepidation? I have never entered a ODE before, I've never watched one, i've never done SJ or dressage on grass! The good news is I have been round the xc course of the venue we're going to :rolleyes:

I do want to do it........honest and I hope George will really enjoy it, but I know I will be nervous and hope my nerves don't overcome me! It's not till July so plenty of time to practise and panic :D

If anyone has got any good tips for first timers at ODEs I would be grateful!
 
Oh wow, that is SO exciting. :D

My daughter did a few and they were really good fun.
I dont really have any words of wisdom .... my daughter had an early dressage time and the grass was slippery with dew and we didnt have studs in, so lesson learnt there! We saw a few people being asked to return to the dressage once they had changed their numnah to one without writting on, or no gloves on etc. Its great that you already know the XC course, which will help any nerves.

I am sure you will love it, and I hope the ground is good so you have no excuses to pull out - GOOD LUCK. :D
 
I did my first ODE with my boy a fortnight ago, having never jumped a course of xc with my boy and having never competitively showjumped my boy either!

I decided to just go and have fun, no pressure. Knew the xc wasn't the best going so took it steady and just did a comfortable round at my own speed.

We ended up winning :) So all I will say is go for it - what do you have to lose! Go for yourself and for George and enjoy it as you never know how it will go!
 
I think I am excited and nervous all at the same time! I know i will be disappointed if the ground is too hard.

Farma - it is at Stratford Hills, so if it doesn't rain it will be hopeless as the ground is so hard there.
 
Ooh exciting, I think Stratford Hills does have notoriously hard ground this time of year so definitely be careful if your horse doesnt cope well with it. Maybe walk the course the day before if you are allowed and see what you think?

My advise would be learn your test inside out because you wont be allowed a caller (or a whip) and practice on grass as the dressage is generally on grass at ODES.

Get there mega early to give yourself a chance to walk the xc which can often take over half hour to walk so that you know it well, but this will depend on your times, you may have hours in between or you may run on quickly so you will have to wait and see. If they are close together then get there super early if poss.

You will need to wear a body protector xc, you will need a number bib and your medical details should be worn on your arm (not sure if thats compulsory at unaffs?)oh and a skull cap rather than fixed peak for the xc.

Also try not to stress too much, just think of it as 1 step at a time not the whole lot as 1 thing, the last time I went there was 1 xc fence I was worried about and I ended up stressing through the whole day and then we jumped it fine!

Good luck, hope you enjoy it x
 
As an eventing newbie I can understand your nerves, however, I have also found it to be one of the most exciting thing you can do!

The main thing that helps me is if I can walk the XC course the day before. I find it really stressful doing it on the day, you have enough to worry about, especially if your times are close together. I also find that going away and thinking about it, or running through it with a friend helps to cement it in your mind (I always worry about going the wrong way!). Even if its a fair drive away I have always tried to do this as it also helps me to know where I'm going when I get there with the horse (although sounds like you have been there before).

Only other thing is as above...learn your dressage test inside out. The panic you feel in the warm up if you dont know your test confidently is not a nice feeling!

Good luck!! :)
 
echo all the above comments, ref learning your test inside and out, nothing worse than mind going blank just before you go into your test!
We also did our very first ODE a couple of weeks ago and had just the best time ever, still on a high now in fact !!!
I know just what you mean about wanting to walk the XC day before though, i am just the same, my other good tip is to take picture of each fence when you walk the course, then you can sit down later (with glass of wine!!)and visualise riding round the course before you go i try to think about clearing each fence without problems.....worth a try.......it works for me anyway! good luck have fun and enjoy it !!!
 
Gorgeous George said:
I think I am excited and nervous all at the same time! I know i will be disappointed if the ground is too hard.

Farma - it is at Stratford Hills, so if it doesn't rain it will be hopeless as the ground is so hard there.
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I was really nervous before my first ODE last year but to be honest once I got there it wasn't so bad as I was busy getting ready and then changing tack, my clothes and warming up between Dressage, SJ & XC it went quite quickly.

Good Luck and Have fun!
 
I'm entering my 1st in Sept too - Fingers crossed. after years of helping I finally get to ride!

I am TERRIFIED! EXCITED!
I walked the course last week - (they have a spring and autumn ODE)

I would suggest having a intinerary - 3 times the amout of gear needed! (or at least 2)

Check the rules on gloves!
Knowing the XC is half the work done!!
Learn the test. and get some grass practice! :D
 
Practical advice would be - jump 3' at home, even show jumps, so the cross country ones look small. Because they can be uphill, downhill, off a corner, etc. they can seem bigger.

Have you had two or three practices over a cross country course? First do the jumps individually, and then doing them as a course. If horse is sticky at water, banks, go with a schoolmaster to give you a lead. Try going for your last practice and do it all as a course straight away, even better if you have been there before, and keep them small to start with. The horse should find it easy and fun.

Make sure you read the rule book so you know what tack is allowed in each phase and what you have to wear.

Good luck, it should be fun.
 
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