First ODE.. EVER... ekkkk

[Hormonal Filly]

Have our first ODE Sunday.. had my 14.1 pony over 3 years now (he's now 8 and i backed him etc) and done tons of hunter trials but never a ODE purely as his flat was atrocious and his travelling was so bad I couldn't stick to times. Taken the plunge.. been working on his flat for years on my own, he goes in a lovely outline now and had a lesson last week to be told he looks beautiful and well schooled for never having a proper lesson together before, that was a good moment.

Always ridden in a gag, apart from schooling on surface, now this test is on grass (with 2 other tests ongoing next door, ah) and i'm stressing he's going to try and race or join in. He's a fizzy cob, not your typical lad back boy, he thinks fast is good. He also tends to go off the wrong leg if not concentrating, will have to pull up and re ask if that happens.
How long would you spend warming up before dressage? Mind the longer i give him i think he'll get more wound up.

Jumping.. doing the 80cm. Now, i'm worried its to big for him but keep telling myself he's done HT's of 85cm and jumped over 1.05m at home so shouldn't be. He's fit enough to do it, so too not worried he'll tire. Cross country he doesn't usually look at a thing but show jumping he can knock poles.. but won't if they have fillers, depends how they're set up.
Again, would you spend along time warming up or not for SJ? (a hour cap between DR and SJ)
My XC time is suppose to be straight after the show jumping, which isn't to bad but I think i'll give him a short break before going XC as they've said to come to the warm up ring when ready and don't want him knackered before going XC. Its only a short course though in one field.

And.. any other tips? Would you take some treats with you as a pick me up between, or not?

(Secretly ******** myself, not sure why as I know the pony inside out and its only a local event but I am!)

 

[dixie]

Well the main thing is to have some fun and if one discipline goes to pot at least there's another discipline to have a crack up.
With regard to warming up it depends on the horse but I normally like 20/30mins before the dressage, 15mins or so for the sj and just time to open his canter up before the XC and make sure he's listening and going forward.
Treats for whom? I normally have a banana for energy as it's easy to swallow when nervous. Drink lots of fluid too.
Good luck.

 

[j1ffy]

I've done my first two ODEs this year and loved it, it sounds like you are far better prepared than we were! My boy had never done a competitive xc before our first one, and I hadn't done a hunter trial since 1994 on my 14.2

You'll be absolutely fine! I did similar warm-up times to dixie, my boy doesn't need a lot. Definitely take some treats for you and for the horse, plus plenty of water for both of you (including to wash down your horse afterwards). I put some water bottles in the freezer then took them along in a freezer bag, and dropped them into the washing down water for post-xc. Made a big difference on a hot day! And you can drink the water afterwards

I don't know where you're based, but is it Elmwood (Oxfordshire) you're going to? Sounds like a similar set-up.