Hacking to a show on Saturday - any top tips

[Gorgeous George]

I am being very brave (well brave for me!) and hacking across the fields to a dressage show on Saturday. It has taken me a year to work up to doing this, but now I feel like we can do it (although if it chucks it down with rain on Sat I may wimp out

)

I may have a friend to help me when I get to the venue, but lets assume I don't. I am planning to hack over in all my posh gear with a hi-viz tabbard on, and G will have his usual dressage tack on plus brushing boots and breastplate with martingale attachment. When I get there I plan to put his boots, my hi-viz and his martingale attachment into a bag and ask some kind soul if I can leave it by their lorry whilst I do my test

Obviously I'm going to have to get on and off a few times so I hope I can find a mounting block (George is 16.3). I'll also make sure I've got some money, my phone and some treats for George in my pocket

Can anyone think of anything else I need or do they have any good tips. By the way the show is about an hrs gentle hack away.

Thanks

 

[JessPickle]

I hack to a local show on Pickle, I do usually have someone meet me there with stuff. One useful tip if buy one of those mounting blocks that is also a box. So then I have all the stuff I need and a mounting block in one place makes life much easier.

I also wear waterproof trousers over light coloured jods, otherwise I always think I'm gonna end up looking very trampy by time I get there.

Good Luck sure it'll go great

 

[hellspells]

You'll be fine

You seem to have everything pretty covered - although I do second Jess's waterproof trousers or full length chaps.

 

[Twiglet]

Yes, second those who said waterproofs, and full chaps to keep you clean. A sponge in your bag of essentials to wash any sweaty/muddy bits off of George.
You should be able to leave it with the secretary of the show or something?
Good luck, have fun!

 

[Hippona]

I take a rucksack with babywipes and a body brush plus money and pen etc.

Good luck!!

 

[Kenzo]

Piece of bailer twine so if some kind person does offer to let you tie him up to their box/trailer, they may not have a spare tie ring with bailer twine on it.

 

[Equus Leather]

A copy of your dressage tests

Something to carry your rosettes home in

 

[DuckToller]

Use a lorry ramp for mounting - see if you can practice first. Most people don't mind.

I prefer a rucksack with a waistband bit that does up, otherwise if you trot it will bounce up and down on your back - I know cos I tried it

Following the baling twine idea, pack a headcollar too - a soft one rather than leather.

A gentle hack should be the perfect warm up - you can fit in some leg yielding, transitions and shoulder-in, not to mention some passage and piaffe if you like!
Good luck!

 

[spookypony]

Put a headcollar on over his bridle, and attach a rolled-up leadrope to your saddle!

Put your bridle number in your pocket.

I just got a nice hip-pack with big pockets for carrying little bits of showing stuff. Or you could get some cheap saddle bags.

I do this all the time. The most irritating part is finding somewhere to tie up the pony!

 

[diggerbez]

if you get really stuck ask a random dad....thats what i always do, they love helping damsels in distress

 

[Gorgeous George]

Thanks guys, lots of good things I'd not thought about, if I need some help I'll just look a bit pathetic (not difficult!) and hopefully someone will feel sorry for me!

Polypad - not sure I will need to have anything to put a rosette in!!!

Will of course let you know how I get on.