First ode looming

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MrsMurs

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Morning all,
Haven’t posted/replied in a while, so first thing, happy new year to you all.

2019 is a year of goals for me, after too long hunting for a horse my gorgeous boy found and chose me almost a year ago, and we’ve had a blast doing dressage, hunter trials, arena eventing.

So numpty here has decided to enter us in our first unaffiliated ode, run to BE80 rules.

Course can’t be walked the day beforehand, so how long roughly should I allow to walk sj and xc? How many times should I walk the course?

How long and how many fences are there likely to be in 80 class?

I’ve been working on fitness - his and Mine. He’s ridden 5/6 times a week, hacking, schooling, jumping. What fitness level is required for ode’s?

Tack: Would people advise using an overgirth? Back in the day I used one but not sure if people still do?

In terms of attire, do people wear stocks for Xc?

Any other tips on how I can help make the day run smoothly would be greatly appreciated
X
 
I always allow an hour to walk the xc, it rarely takes that long but means you can go steadily and take it all in, I would not expect to walk more than once at that level, as for how long it depends on the venue as they can vary so much, somewhere between 15 and 20 fences would be normal. I think it unfair they are not open for walking the day before and hope they give sensible times to allow for this.
Walking the SJ is much the same as any SJ comp, if you get a chance to walk it once then watch a few go round it helps.
They don't have to be very fit but it helps if they are comfortably able to get round so it is probably best to ask your trainer who will know you both to advise on what you need to do and if they think the horse is fit enough, most would benefit from an increase in canter work as that tends to be lacking generally.

Not used an overgirth in years but still advise wearing a stock which gets worn for all phases anyway.
 
How exciting! Hope you have a blast. Which event are you doing?

If I am walking the course that day I always allow well over an hour as it can take a while just to find the start box! But it depends if you know the venue already and also I am very very bad at finding my way around so need plenty of time.

I wear XC colours for the XC phase not a stock. I have never worn an over-girth.

If it is BE rules you will not be allowed a caller in the dressage or to carry a whip in dressage.

The XC phase will take about 6 minutes with up to 20 jumping efforts iirc so as long as your horse can maintain a forward canter for that long over jumps he will be fine. It sounds like you have been doing that type of intensity/duration already.

Don;t forget to report back!
 
I allow an hour to walk courses and orient myself.

An overgirth is optional, I used to use one but don't now.

I do prefer a stock still as a friend had her horse hit a fence and it nicked an artery, her stock kept enough blood in for the vet to arrive and dress properly, and the horse was fit to travel home. Many people don't though.

Fitness level is dependent a lot on how you intend to ride. If you are going to hand canter round then if you are jumping in an arena and hacking including cantering on hills then that is probably sufficient.

Have a great time!
 
i allow an hour to walk the xc course too.. i also take pics of each fence and then when im back at my jeep il flick through them and visualise my way around the course a few times before i mount up.

work backwards with working out your time - so plan what time you arrive, how long it will take to get your number/toilet/tea, how long a warm up you need, what time you should be tacked up at etc.
and then add a good bit of extra time in case you take a wrong turn or have trouble getting studs in or any thing.
 
People rarely use overgirths now but no-one will care if you want to! Stocks are optional, I do as I feel naked without one, but I take the pin out.

If there’s no time to walk the XC/SJ in between classes, I get there two hours before my Dressage. Gives me time for faffing, snacks, etc, and to walk course without rushing. 45-60 mins for XC. SJ - they give times for course walks in secretaries tent, but often can’t make them and I just have to watch from the side.

XC - I only walk once, but don’t do what I did once and natter away to my friend, miss out a fence, and get eliminated. 😡

I normally go straight down to XC when I am ready after SJ, changed gear and tack etc, even if it’s before my time, they are usually happy to see anyone ready to crack on.

You will have a lot of fun - good luck!
 
There is a great XC course walk app, which allows you to walk the course, stop and add a photo of the jump, and walk on. You add in the course distance/time/speed and it will show you where your minute markers are. :)
 
Lyle said:
There is a great XC course walk app, which allows you to walk the course, stop and add a photo of the jump, and walk on. You add in the course distance/time/speed and it will show you where your minute markers are. :)
Click to expand...
Ooooh that’s interesting, will take a look.. thanks
 
Jellymoon said:
People rarely use overgirths now but no-one will care if you want to! Stocks are optional, I do as I feel naked without one, but I take the pin out.

If there’s no time to walk the XC/SJ in between classes, I get there two hours before my Dressage. Gives me time for faffing, snacks, etc, and to walk course without rushing. 45-60 mins for XC. SJ - they give times for course walks in secretaries tent, but often can’t make them and I just have to watch from the side.

XC - I only walk once, but don’t do what I did once and natter away to my friend, miss out a fence, and get eliminated. 😡

I normally go straight down to XC when I am ready after SJ, changed gear and tack etc, even if it’s before my time, they are usually happy to see anyone ready to crack on.

You will have a lot of fun - good luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for your reply, very helpful 😀
 
paddi22 said:
i allow an hour to walk the xc course too.. i also take pics of each fence and then when im back at my jeep il flick through them and visualise my way around the course a few times before i mount up.

work backwards with working out your time - so plan what time you arrive, how long it will take to get your number/toilet/tea, how long a warm up you need, what time you should be tacked up at etc.
and then add a good bit of extra time in case you take a wrong turn or have trouble getting studs in or any thing.
Click to expand...
Thanks very much, will definitely be taking pics. Also worried about remembering the sj course but hopefully as someone else mentioned there will be course walk opportunities.
 
Red-1 said:
I allow an hour to walk courses and orient myself.

An overgirth is optional, I used to use one but don't now.

I do prefer a stock still as a friend had her horse hit a fence and it nicked an artery, her stock kept enough blood in for the vet to arrive and dress properly, and the horse was fit to travel home. Many people don't though.

Fitness level is dependent a lot on how you intend to ride. If you are going to hand canter round then if you are jumping in an arena and hacking including cantering on hills then that is probably sufficient.

Have a great time!
Click to expand...
Fortunately this xc isn’t timed, which is good as I haven’t a clue what a good xc speed is. I have a watch so thought I’d settle into our usual rythmn, time ourselves over the distance and work it out. Thanks for replying, much appreciated
 
Ambers Echo said:
How exciting! Hope you have a blast. Which event are you doing?

If I am walking the course that day I always allow well over an hour as it can take a while just to find the start box! But it depends if you know the venue already and also I am very very bad at finding my way around so need plenty of time.

I wear XC colours for the XC phase not a stock. I have never worn an over-girth.

If it is BE rules you will not be allowed a caller in the dressage or to carry a whip in dressage.

The XC phase will take about 6 minutes with up to 20 jumping efforts iirc so as long as your horse can maintain a forward canter for that long over jumps he will be fine. It sounds like you have been doing that type of intensity/duration already.

Don;t forget to report back!
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for replying. I’ll let you know how we go. It’s the EMDG ode.
 
be positive said:
I always allow an hour to walk the xc, it rarely takes that long but means you can go steadily and take it all in, I would not expect to walk more than once at that level, as for how long it depends on the venue as they can vary so much, somewhere between 15 and 20 fences would be normal. I think it unfair they are not open for walking the day before and hope they give sensible times to allow for this.
Walking the SJ is much the same as any SJ comp, if you get a chance to walk it once then watch a few go round it helps.
They don't have to be very fit but it helps if they are comfortably able to get round so it is probably best to ask your trainer who will know you both to advise on what you need to do and if they think the horse is fit enough, most would benefit from an increase in canter work as that tends to be lacking generally.

Not used an overgirth in years but still advise wearing a stock which gets worn for all phases anyway.
Click to expand...

Super, thanks so much for your response. Been a huge help and why I love the forum.
 
I am doing this event as my first one too. I am a member of the club and have helped for many years - you will have a blast! Everyone is really friendly and supportive. Look out for me on the big black nappy horse!!
 
I would allow more time than you think you need! Work back from your dressage time, so if it is 10.30, then have mount up at 10.00, get dressed at 9.50, tack up at 9.40, Stud up at 9.30, back to truck at 9.20 to get gear ready, so that means you need to have declared and walked your courses a full hour and 10 mins before your dressage time (depending on what warm up your horse needs and how much help you have of course). A full XC course usually takes me 45 mins ish to walk but I always leave an hour.

I try to walk the XC slowly and pause 3 or 4 times during it to go over it in my head (1 is the roller, 2 is the wall, 3 is the...) and by the time I get to the end I have done that enough times for all the fences to be in my head like that. Make a mental note specifically of anywhere you have to go a direction which seems 'off plan' or you can't see the next fence from the previous one (i.e. 'to the left of the big tree after 6, straight ahead up the hill level with the Pylon to 8' or whatever, as just remembering fences can mean that you get in a pickle about actual directions, especially if you have an awkward jump and are busy beating yourself up about it (not that that's ever happened to me! lol)

I do wear a stock XC because a wise old lady told me to years ago, and to be honest I'm mostly too lazy to change or spend fortunes on fancy base layers - I'm only riding one horse so if I turn into a sweaty mess it doesn't matter, might be different if I had several.

Fitness wise for an 80 without a time if you have been schooling and hacking that often you will likely be fine, you can practice by cantering for 5 or 6 mins in a field / gallop / even a large arena and just check that its not a problem for either of you. Great idea to time yourself though so that you can judge your comfortable mpm and adjust accordingly for registered comps.
 
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