Attila_the_Hungry
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone. As I have just completed my first ever ODE I thought I'd write a quick report on it. First of all, a quick introduction.
I used to ride as a kid, just lessons and helping out at a riding school (actually, looking back, 9 ponies and a few fields). After the best part of 20 years off, I decided I'd like to give it another go. One thing led to another, and 3 years ago I bought a big grey ISH mare called Lizzy. Up to now, we've generally done sj (unaff and BSJA, up to 1.05m) and occasionally dressage (unaff prelim, or novice in combined training), all at the yard where I keep her (I have no transport). Although the dressage still needs work she does have potential, and she will really try to jump and get me out of trouble.
Anyway, after doing one unaffiliated hunter trial, I decided it was about time I tried this eventing lark, and 4 of us were going to enter the Eridge Intro. As it turned out, only 2 of us made, but the others still came along to chauffeur/groom/cheer/shop. After a minor issue with the lorry (somebody had siphoned the diesel out of the tank, the petrol gauge didn't work and we ran out on a dual carriageway
), we arrived about half an hour before my dressage time. Consequently, the warm-up was a bit brief and she wasn't really relaxed. It was our first dressage on grass, and our first away from home, and then in the middle of the test the muppet rider completely forgot where he was going
. We ended up with 43, which was pretty fair (but nearly last).
She was jumping nicely in the warm-up but once in the ring she really backed off some of the fences. I'm sure it didn't look pretty, especially the 2 strides in a 1-stride double, but we managed to scrape round clear.
Then onto the good bit. She bowled round like a veteran, and never felt in the least like stopping or running out. The only, very minor, issues were a slight steering issue after 3 (I started to go left then realised I should be going right), and Lizzy wanting to jump the PN brush fence instead of ours as the bigger one looked more fun
! We finished clear, with 16.8 time faults, but all I was aiming for was the double clear, so that was fine. In the end we were one of only 2 double clears in my section, so we somehow managed to finish 9th!
I'd like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers at Eridge. Everyone I spoke to was pleasant and helpful, and they even managed to run a bit early. As this was my first event I have nothing to compare it to, but if they are all as well-run as this I'll be very happy chappy.
If anyone has managed to get this far, many thanks for reading and please help yourself to the selection of belgian beers and chocolates from here in Kapelle-op-den-Bos (I'm a euro-commuter).
I used to ride as a kid, just lessons and helping out at a riding school (actually, looking back, 9 ponies and a few fields). After the best part of 20 years off, I decided I'd like to give it another go. One thing led to another, and 3 years ago I bought a big grey ISH mare called Lizzy. Up to now, we've generally done sj (unaff and BSJA, up to 1.05m) and occasionally dressage (unaff prelim, or novice in combined training), all at the yard where I keep her (I have no transport). Although the dressage still needs work she does have potential, and she will really try to jump and get me out of trouble.
Anyway, after doing one unaffiliated hunter trial, I decided it was about time I tried this eventing lark, and 4 of us were going to enter the Eridge Intro. As it turned out, only 2 of us made, but the others still came along to chauffeur/groom/cheer/shop. After a minor issue with the lorry (somebody had siphoned the diesel out of the tank, the petrol gauge didn't work and we ran out on a dual carriageway
She was jumping nicely in the warm-up but once in the ring she really backed off some of the fences. I'm sure it didn't look pretty, especially the 2 strides in a 1-stride double, but we managed to scrape round clear.
Then onto the good bit. She bowled round like a veteran, and never felt in the least like stopping or running out. The only, very minor, issues were a slight steering issue after 3 (I started to go left then realised I should be going right), and Lizzy wanting to jump the PN brush fence instead of ours as the bigger one looked more fun
I'd like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers at Eridge. Everyone I spoke to was pleasant and helpful, and they even managed to run a bit early. As this was my first event I have nothing to compare it to, but if they are all as well-run as this I'll be very happy chappy.
If anyone has managed to get this far, many thanks for reading and please help yourself to the selection of belgian beers and chocolates from here in Kapelle-op-den-Bos (I'm a euro-commuter).
