First time XC, advice needed

LaurenBay

LaurenBay

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Me and a friend are hiring out a local XC course, I've checked the website and theres 2 courses to choose from, the first course is an intro course (60cms) and the other is higher so better for my friend.

What do I need to wear? what does Ruby need to wear?

Bearing in mind this is not a competition, just a chance to have fun and go at our own pace, we will be doing the intro course, she has done XC years ago, I haven't done much. My friend with her XC jumping machine will give us a lead if needed and then me and Ruby will follow friend and her Horse to the next course and stand and watch! I may attempt a couple of the fences depending on how well Ruby is going and how brave I feel!
 
You need a bp and a hat with no fixed peak. And preferably long sleeves. She needs boots all round and a neckstrap ;) And then you both need your sense of fun :)

Where are you going?
 
Thanks JFTD, she wears a martingale, so that will do as my neck strap. Have the skull hat. Need a BP still (trying on a friends tomorrow to see if that fits, if not will get my own)

What's boots should Ruby wear, I only have brushing. But they don't look like they would offer much protection jumping. Was thinking hard shell jumping boots and overreach? Or Fetlock too?
 
My advice, following bonkers black ponys first hunter trial last weekend, is that if the pony decides it is unsure of a fence and gets you to check it out solo, try to make sure it is a fence near home/lorry, otherwise it is a long run back to catch up with the ungrateful creature who didn't hang around to see if I was ok!
 
Sorry KatP but that did make me giggle ;)

I'm actually not too worried about Ruby not wanting to do any of them. I think my nerves will be the main reason. Luckily for me, Ruby is so laid back that even when I'm nervy and ride like a sack of spuds, she just gets on and does it :o the ones she is nervy (or I am rather :p) we will ask my friend for a lead, her Horse is very sensible and stops at nothing!
 
On a more helpful note, I just used brushing boots on mine, nothing special as it was only 2'6''. Mine is barefoot so no studs, but worth considering if its slippy.
 
As all others have said above plus my best advice given to me at my first attempt at a full on course a few weeks ago ...... sit up, smile & kick on!
 
LaurenBay said:
So what boots shall I go for?
Click to expand...

If you want something inexpensive that provides better protection than just brushing boots then Roma make some, the cheaper ones are actually nicer than the more expensive type they make! Failing that, keep an eye on Ebay - I found a set of NEW aircooled XC boots for a friend recently really cheaply compared to the full priced set I have!
http://www.equestrianclearance.com/...=17949280929&gclid=CK_7p7qm3LcCFXIQtAodhgwA8g

Personally I won't leave the ground without decent strike protection on front tendons and over solid fences I like a cannon guard front and back. I know some (a male pro comes to mind) who goes XC in prolite tendon boots but I only have one horse and she is too precious to me to take risks!
 
I used my magnetic Roma hard shell open fronted tendon boots & a pair of rubber over-reaches on the front, requisite fetlock boots on the back.
 
I use woof wear brushing boots for XC, and only on front as won't have hind boot on. And over reach boots.

Body protector, hat, whip and grippy gloves. Spurs if you wear them jumping normally.

I always try to remember to keep weight back slightly defensively, leg on and to smile. Have fun! :)
 
I use standard cheapo brushing boots as I don't have the posh PE air cooled event boots I'd really like to use ;)

Stanford Rivers is a lovely course for a play - lots of tiny fences and steps and ditches and stuff to play with :)

Sniggering at Kat's comment, btw :D Naughty bonkers black pony :eek:


btw, some of the people in C&T seem to say beware with over-reaches - the risk of them standing on them on take off if they're too long I think? Iirc, the pull on rubber ones are meant to rip if trodden on, as do neoprene, but the velco bits of some rubber ones are tougher and can spin round and cause issues? So basically, try to use short ones / pull on ones?
 
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That's why I choose Standford Rivers as thought that would be a nice introduction course for us both. We haven't done much jumping so the smaller course would be good for us :)

She has never overreached, so not sure wether or not to just go in brushing boots for front and Fetlock boots on back and forget about the overreach boots all together?
 
I would probably want more than fetlocks on the back, to be honest.

Over-reaches are one of those things - if you need them, you'll regret not having them (even F has over reached pulling funny shapes over fences), but if you put them on an have an issue you'll regret that too! I tend to use neoprene ones which I know tear if trodden on (had one rip in a horseball match!), but have also taken my old lad out without any before. Definitely your call - some folk on here say they never leave the ground without them, others won't touch them with a barge pole!


eta - oddly enough, I've never managed to find the 2' course or the little sunken road they have photos of one their websites. Clearly I need to spend more time investigating up there :p
 
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Just enjoy it take it easy. I personally don't put overreach boots on for XC as I see them as a tripping hazard especially when jumping up steps.
I wouldn't panic too much about buying new boots etc what you have sounds adequate for what you are doing.
 
Can I join in and ask, do you need o/r boots on an unshod horse anyway? Thanks

(First xc training this week too!)

There is a potential that the horse could overreach without shoes, less likely than with shoes on but these things can happen. I would be more concerned about the horse striking himself in front than over reaching so boots on front a must and for protection should he hit anything while jumping.
 
First time I went x country schooling I went in a snaffle, BIG mistake, my normally relatively sane horse forgot how the brakes worked
 
Body protector a must and pref non peaked hat! I dont like wearing brushing boots doing fast work as it tends to really heat up there legs where as i find my tendons alot better, and over reach boots are always on! Make sure you wear something thin but covers your arms as you will get V hot!
 
Definately boots behind, as if they lose momentum going down steps, or into the water they can scrape the backs of their legs. I never use over reach boots, thats just personal choice though. I just use woofwear neoprene boots all round as don't do enough to justtify proper ones!

The 2' course is behind the wood on the RHS (not sure if for schooling you go in through the farmyard or the further gate? It is behind the wood by the further gate, anyway.
 
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