Goring Heath BE/Gatcombe BE - advice please

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TheoryX1

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As it is really. As Mini TX has got her eventing mojo well and truly back, particularly after a cracking 3rd place at Homme House yesterday (report to follow laters when I have a bit more time), am looking through the evening calendar and planning for her. Now looking at other events she would like to do, I came upon one we had never heard of - Goring Heath in Oxfordshire. Journeywise its about an hour 45 mins for us so fine, but has anyone ridden there, particularly around the Novice course? Any information would be great.

Also, same with Gatcombe in September. Its pretty local to us, but she is having the what whats about it, as she reckons it will be huge and full of pros. Again it wil be the Novice course. Yes, I've read all the course description, but it doesnt beat advice from those who have ridden around it or been there. I would add that a big atmosphere would not phase her or her horse, having ridden around the likes of Longleat, and PC National Champs.

Need to make mind up pretty soon as have to start entering. Any help or advice from you trusty HHOer would be hugely appreciated.
 
I've jumped both, and like both!! Goring has gone a little too keen on their skinnies recently IMO, whereas traditionally it was always more of a big and bold track. Gatcombe again is more in the big and bold category, but rides well.
 
Gatcombe much nicer than Goring. Goring will take you longer than 1hr45 (I speak from experience!), and just is not a nice track. Gatcombe will have all the pros there.

Can I throw another one into the mix, if she has only just got her mojo back - Monmouth. Lovely course, really easy to get to, and much 'nicer' (in terms of the pro-factor) than either of the two you've picked. It's a really good novice to get back feeling confident again at - and again I speak from experience - crashing fall at Goring, did Monmouth 9 days later (and starter commented I looked positively green!), came home with a (very slow) clear - Matt Ryan almost lapped me ;)

I would pick Monmouth for the step back up over Goring or Gatcombe personally....

PS - think I was parked in front of you yesterday - big shiny red lorry....looked like I'd abandoned it rather than parked due to the rakish angle the parking steward had me stop at!!
 
SC - thanks - she has done PN and N at Monmouth - was thinking of a change, and its the day after business partner's daughter's wedding, so may be a bit green around the gills, but who knows. Yes, Monmouth is lovely and an easy drive as well.

So you were at Homme yesterday. Were you parked near a dark grey Shogun with a private plate on it with a green IW? Driven by a red head, with a stroppy teenager and a skewbald mare?

Thanks for the advice, reckon we might have to re-jig things a bit then.
 
FWIW I'd avoid Goring like the plague. Hard ground, spring event had inconsistent distances, lots of skinnies, and generally lots of hauling horses around - not confidence inspiring... Gatcombe will be strong but attackable, much nicer option IMHO....
 
Thing is, if she's had a confidence dent, then maybe better stepping back up at a course she knows she has ridden round well in the past? Just my take on it!

Teenager did not look stroppy from what I saw, she seemed to be (shock horror ;)), helping - I had the most hellish times with dr at 1 and nothing else till gone 4pm - think you were wearing a polo shirt and 3/4 length trousers? It was a coloured horse with a green & purple logo on saddlecloth, and was a trailer not a lorry I saw. My lorry is hard to miss, very very red! Literally right in front of you I think. Had a couple of smart 3.5T ones to one side of me.
 
Yes, am always alone pretty much! - horse is smart, and bay, rider is stupid (but also bay I suppose, what with the brunette hair) ;) If I'd been feeling more sociable, I would have said hello....instead I just went and whinged at Chatter1 and her assorted entourage about my own uselessness, and had an icecream and some donuts to cheer myself up. She tried to outdo me on the whinging front, but frankly, she took home money, so has not got a leg to stand on ;)
 
Dont worry. I was lusting after your horse - he is gorgeous. We had a long wait as well. Dressage at 1.40, sj and 4.30. Seeing as horsey wont stand still outside trailer, she has to stand inside and its a pain in the butt. So how did your day go? Am going to post a report much later when I have the time as should really be working at the moment. Yes, it was nice to win money for a change she got a 3rd in the BE100 Open.

What do you think of Homme then? We went last year and enjoyed it.
 
First time I've been to Homme, and I thought it was good. Ground not great - don't mind hard but this was a bit rutty for my liking. Dressage - nice warmup, with a few huge dips, but generally ok. SJ - clever use of ground, god knows what happened in the warmup but when I rocked up their system had clearly fallen apart as there were horses and riders stacked up everywhere. I don't really know why as the steward was running a super-efficient board system, complete with pre-arranged gaps to slot in multi-horse riders, and no-one was queue-jumping, but it was a bit manic! I had 19 to go before me, thankfully the space was big enough that you could stand/walk around it without it being dangerous/cramped for those jumping. I really don't think it was the steward's fault, she was doing a really excellent job, and everyone was being terribly polite when I was there.

XC I thought was a real master-class of course building. Looked deceptively easy on walking it (at all levels), but I came back saying I thought it needed to be taken really seriously as some clever, clever use of the ground had been made - and I saw problem after problem (mainly from the ONU18 riders) who just did not respect the ground and therefore the way you needed to approach the fences. Saw one very nasty fall - god knows how the horse stopped itself from going rotational over the fence - and heard about 4 others when I was walking. I really liked it, but I wouldn't say it was for those inexperienced at the level - there was enough to do out there! Probably my best XC ride of the year (we like the tougher tracks), but the rest of it was a day to forget, and has probably sealed the deal on what I am going to do in future (i.e. nothing!!).
 
PS - if you'd like the horse, then he'd take you round intro all day long (I know you've said you'd like to one day), and you'd probably make a better job of it all than me! ;)
 
You sell yourself short, I am sure. No time really for me to be doing it. Spending far too much time running daughter around the country, plus need to lose another stone or so (two and half already shed). Also, need some hypnotherapy to get over coloured pole anxiety caused by being fired into a showjump by a 5 year old a few years ago. Oh, and running the same business with the green and purple logo takes up a hell a lot of my time, and I should really be working on it now .....Finally, really want to do it on current horsey as trust her.

By the way, he looks a sweetheart - lovely expression.
 
I don't live that far from Goring but I would rather drive to Gatcombe then run there. Dressage warm up is in a bowl, SJ track is often dodgy with distances. XC doesn't flow, too many skinnies, hilly & hard ground & just not a nice course.
 
Don't be fooled, that's his happy face because he is competing. He does a sterling line in 'Victor Meldrew' at all other times! You'd be fine on him - no need to lose any weight! He's actually incredibly easy to compete, I am just exceptionally hopeless at doing it sadly. Luckily XC he looks for the flags, which does make me look far better than I really am. Brilliantly, the pro photographer got a cracking shot of us over the hedgehog. Which was completely out of focus!! The one time they are not at a tiny roll top and the whole thing looks like they took it from a passing car. It is a good job he is so brilliant XC as it is guaranteed to put a smile on my face. He made the course feel like it was 2ft6. I have spent the morning googling hypnotherapists, so I'll let you know if I decide to try it!
 
Hello, well done at Homme, I had to w/d due to an inconsistent boss saying I could have the day off work and then reversing the decision once I'd entered :mad: :rolleyes:.

If you'll allow a teeny hijack can I ask about Gatcombe CIC* please? I have heard that it is the Nov track with a few extra fences and reasonably straightforwards?
 
I'm surprised by the responses about Goring, but then I didn't do it this spring and didn't manage to walk it. It used to be a lovely track, if a little meaty in places.

The dressage warm up there isn't great, on a hill, but the show jumping is usually a proper SJ track with decent lines rather than just 8 fences in a figure of 8 like it can be sometimes. FWIW I think the course builder also builds at Hambleden, Purston and Tweseldown.
 
Gamebird said:
Hello, well done at Homme, I had to w/d due to an inconsistent boss saying I could have the day off work and then reversing the decision once I'd entered :mad: :rolleyes:.

If you'll allow a teeny hijack can I ask about Gatcombe CIC* please? I have heard that it is the Nov track with a few extra fences and reasonably straightforwards?
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Is Homme not miles from you!?
I realise this is not at all helpful in terms of your question!
 
SpottedCat said:
Is Homme not miles from you!?
I realise this is not at all helpful in terms of your question!
Click to expand...

Very unhelpful! But, yes a long way. Satnav reckoned about 3.5 hours and I'd planned an o/night stop with MillbrookSong. Having a nightmare at work with everyone going on holiday (except me!) and realised that I was going to have no runs for the novice horse for about two months - can't see the owner being hugely happy about that! :eek: Rang madly round all the orgainisers for last weekend (except Wilton which was just too far!) and Homme very kindly squeezed me in, whereupon my boss cancelled the day off I'd booked for it :(. Luckily have managed to get in at (and a few hours off work for) Skipton and should be able to have a day off for Winkburn.

Sorry, I'm sure that was the workd's dullest explanation! :D
 
Gamebird said:
Very unhelpful! But, yes a long way. Satnav reckoned about 3.5 hours and I'd planned an o/night stop with MillbrookSong. Having a nightmare at work with everyone going on holiday (except me!) and realised that I was going to have no runs for the novice horse for about two months - can't see the owner being hugely happy about that! :eek: Rang madly round all the orgainisers for last weekend (except Wilton which was just too far!) and Homme very kindly squeezed me in, whereupon my boss cancelled the day off I'd booked for it :(. Luckily have managed to get in at (and a few hours off work for) Skipton and should be able to have a day off for Winkburn.

Sorry, I'm sure that was the workd's dullest explanation! :D
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Think of the annoying loss of holiday as fate - the N track was not one for a horse new to the level IMO, and claimed a lot of scalps. In some sections fewer than two thirds finished. It would have been a long old drive home had that happened.... ;) (Although I am sure it would not, but it is helpful to think it might have done in order to soften the blow!).
 
This is the first time Aldon has run CIC*. The CCI* is usually virtually identical to the spring intermediate track. The Novice there is nice, and the intermediate not horrific, so I would imagine the CIC* would be nice too. It is often very wet and very windy - do not count on wearing a topper - they advise you to have a crash hat too as often toppers won't stay on!

Dressage is v flat as on rugby pitches. Does not have the same 'atmosphere' as the big internationals, but has a great 'end of term' feel to it as it's virtually the last event of the year. Should imagine it will take you forever to get there! Only cancels if it snows as the ground holds up really well on the XC, but can get a bit disgusting in SJ and dressage.
 
SpottedCat said:
This is the first time Aldon has run CIC*. The CCI* is usually virtually identical to the spring intermediate track. The Novice there is nice, and the intermediate not horrific, so I would imagine the CIC* would be nice too. It is often very wet and very windy - do not count on wearing a topper - they advise you to have a crash hat too as often toppers won't stay on!

Dressage is v flat as on rugby pitches. Does not have the same 'atmosphere' as the big internationals, but has a great 'end of term' feel to it as it's virtually the last event of the year. Should imagine it will take you forever to get there! Only cancels if it snows as the ground holds up really well on the XC, but can get a bit disgusting in SJ and dressage.
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Aldon would be better as later and more time to prepare, but like you say further and I don't have a lorry so would be sleeping in tent/trailer/car (surprisingly comfortable!). If the CCI* is mostly the Int track then I suppose the CIC* might have a few more Nov fences in it?
Don't mind a longer drive if I'm there for a couple of days but if Gatcombe's not too horrific it might be the more sensible option logistically.

PS. Sorry TheoryX1, have really hijacked your thread and run away with it now :eek:. I'd blame that SC.... ;)
 
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I'm on 1997 now! :D (I'm so cool...)

Aldon is lovely, but never fail to forget how Bl******g cold it can be overnight!!! Although if TD makes an appearance, her gin keeps u warm from the inside out! :D ;) and there's cheap beer in the rugby club (and rugby boys!!)
 
Ha ha, I dont mind my thread being hi-jacked in the slightest. Now home from work and can sit down and write without looking if my PA is coming to give me more work to deal with, or wondering why the phone wont stop ringing. Have to say I think Aldon 1* next season sounds perfect, cheap booze and rugby men. Mini TX and I always have a 'hot man hunt' during and always after an event. She was mortified yesterday though, she was waiting to go into the sj, and was casting lustful 16 year old eyes over a lad who had a union flag on his hat silk sitting on his horse next to her. Next thing I heard was a large 'pharp', so asked her was it her or the horse. She went blood red and said very quietly 'It was me mum, god, I am so embarrassed, there is a hot man next to me'. Couldnt stop laughing.

SC - I stand by my comments, your Victor Meldrew is a cute boy. Mind, you I have the equine equivalent of Phil Mitchell - hogged and shaven, hard as nails, loves the classy mares that YO sometimes has in to sell, but really lurves his mummy, but only in private when nobody else can see him give her a cuddle, as it will ruin his hard image.

Thanks for the advice, think I will give both of them a miss. Looks like its a toss up between a combination of West Wilts, Pontispool or Monmouth, or possibly Bricky. All familiar and all within easy reach of us.
 
TheoryX1 said:
Ha ha, I dont mind my thread being hi-jacked in the slightest. Now home from work and can sit down and write without looking if my PA is coming to give me more work to deal with, or wondering why the phone wont stop ringing. Have to say I think Aldon 1* next season sounds perfect, cheap booze and rugby men. Mini TX and I always have a 'hot man hunt' during and always after an event. She was mortified yesterday though, she was waiting to go into the sj, and was casting lustful 16 year old eyes over a lad who had a union flag on his hat silk sitting on his horse next to her. Next thing I heard was a large 'pharp', so asked her was it her or the horse. She went blood red and said very quietly 'It was me mum, god, I am so embarrassed, there is a hot man next to me'. Couldnt stop laughing.
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:D hahahaha!!!
 
Well done at Homme House yesterday - was your daughter on a skewbald wearing purple? Think I may have seen her in the XC warmup...

Goring I have always found to be a nice event, though typically very windy and not great on a spooky horse when the showjumps all blow down (as seems to happen every time I go!) and the ground can be quite flinty. Gatcombe is a lovely track and always rides beautifully if you attack it. Show jumping is probably more forgiving there too.

Aldon did run a CIC last year.... I did it! The SJ and XC were both much more up to height and trickier than Gatcombe's CIC (I did both) so for a first crack at CIC I would recommend Gatcombe over Aldon, although Aldon is a lovely lovely event and definitely one to go to... Why not try both?!
 
Lynds81 - yes that was her - purple hat silk and bp with a black Point Two over riding a pretty skewbald mare. Thanks for that it was a lovely if rather hot day.
 
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