First ODE!!!

[stormyhorse]

After working hard with our dressage I feel we are ready to try our hand at a pony club ODE. It is in about 3 weeks time and am already worrying about it. Lots of advice needed about preparation and the day itself, I dont want to look like a pleb!
Thanks

 

[Gorgeous George]

Can't help you with advice but I can say 'Good Luck'!

 

[Madasmaz]

Chortle...looking like a pleb, would be the last thing you should need to worry about. Learn your test, a friend of mine practices hers on the kitchen table with a toy horse, I sit and go through it on a white board until I can do it at least five times without looking at the sheet. Try and relax...they should give you a time, and if they are running it under BD rules that is when you should go in to do your test (although it is a good idea to check 30 mins before hand to see if they are running late). Last of all...its dressage, not stressage, have fun, give it your best, and compare your score the next time you go out.

And just to give a wee boost, I got my first ever 1st at Prelim 7 on Sunday, and I thought I had done one of the worst tests ever. I'm still not sure how we managed it! Just cottoned on to what "ODE" is...I have yet to tackle XC and SJ so you're two up on me already!

 

[stormyhorse]

Thanks, well done for your first place! He is so good in all disciplines separately, saying that we havent showjumped in a while, I just hope thay all come tgether on the one day! I have been umming about for ages and then was brave this morning and posted off my entry, its all experience but I bet all the little pc children show me up!

 

[Madasmaz]

I wouldn't worry about the PC kids, although I would give some of the mothers a very wide bearth. They are a rather amusing breed all the better envisioned being dumped in the water ditch and covered in pond weed by their £10K school masters or "mother's dreams". Go and have fun, its the taking part that counts and if you are relaxed and happy your pony/horse will be as well. You are going for you and your boy so that should be your focus...I bet you'll be fab.

 

[TGM]

The main advice I can give you (being a much-maligned PC mum

) is to get a copy of the PC Horse Trials rule book and study it carefully, so that you don't get eliminated for breaking a simple rule.

Some rules vary between affiliated and PC events - for example in BE eventing you are not allowed to carry a whip in the dressage phase, whereas you are allowed to carry a whip in PC eventing up to Level 3. PC have funny rules about turnout as well, and numnahs/saddlecloths should not be brightly coloured or have logos, names etc on them.

Hope that helps and good luck!

 

[Cruiseonamiro]

MariaToo. I am a pony club kid, who has worked hard on my youngster to get him to where he is today. We are not all brats, nor are our parents all typical pony club mums. The amount spent on a horse means nothing. I've always worked hard on my horses and feel sometimes us pony clubbers get an unfair rep! Good look stormyhorse

 

[stormyhorse]

Thanks TGM. I have just looked on the PC website and you can download the 2008 eventing rulebook, is that the one?

 

[stormyhorse]

Thanks, I used to be in the pc but joined when I was in my late teens and never really got into it, so I need all the help I can get. Is the sj before the xc?
Cruiseonamiro i love your grey, I too am a fan! and have only ever had greys

 

[TGM]

[ QUOTE ]
I have just looked on the PC website and you can download the 2008 eventing rulebook, is that the one?

[/ QUOTE ] Indeed it is! (Do check your schedule though, because sometimes they alter the rules slightly, especially if they are 'low-key' events. For example, you are not normally allowed a caller for the dressage, but at some PC events they do allow callers to encourage the younger children. But any deviations from the standard rules should be on the schedule).

 

[Cruiseonamiro]

Stormyhorse, thank you! He's my first grey, and I was determined not to buy one as they're so hard to keep clean, but he's dark roan grey and appears to be going chestnut! Yours is gorge too, i love the xc pic!

 

[Sprout]

My daughter did her first PC ODE a week ago, I think I was more nervous than her!

She had never done a dressage test before, did lots of practising at home, and apart from the long wet grass being really slippery ( pony didnt have studs in! ) she did really well, remembered the test, didnt rush it and got a pretty good mark.
We then had a two hour wait before the show jumping, where she just got the last fence down. It was then a mad dash to get ready for the XC, and she flew round clear, so I was a very proud, and dare I say it, slightly tearful Mum.

I was worried that we didnt have a clue what to do etc, but most people were pretty helpful - perhaps they thought we wouldnt be any competition!!!!

I think you will have fun - Good Luck.

 

[L00bey]

All I can say is learn your test well. Walk the xc course and really try to remember it. Most of all make sure your horse is fit enough.

Good luck and most importantly have fun!!