Hacking to Shows

[Gorgeous George]

As I have no transport and have to keep asking for lifts I am thinking of hacking to some shows over the summer as our local equestrian centre is only about 2.5 miles away over the farm ride and I am actually feeling brave enough to have a go at the hack over the fields! It would probably just be to do dressage as I feel safest hacking in my dressage saddle!

So I was just wondering how those of you who do hack to shows manage? Sometimes I may have someone to help, but I guess more often than not I will be on my own. Do you manage to find somewhere to put your stuff (i.e. hi viz, horse boots, coat etc.) and are people usually willing to briefly hold your horse whilst you sign in, pop to the loo etc.! If it rains do you still go, or give it a miss? Any top tips gratefully received.

Thanks all.

 

[muffinino]

I usually hack to shows with a friend - anyone willing to go with you?

It's ok if you can pre-enter, you usually can with dressage / ODE, then you get your time and go! Only probs if you have to change, but I sometimes leave my car and get a lift back to the yard, usually with whoever I'm hacking with. It's showjumping and hunter trials that are tricky. People are usually around to hold if you ask nicely. Try to print out / get hold of an entry form beforehand & fill it out, plus have the right money, that way you can enter quickly

 

[muffinino]

Oh, and just pop your hi viz in a corner or ask someone if they mind you putting it next to their lorry/trailer

 

[Hippona]

I hack to shows- local ones...I pre-enter and have a rucksack for bits and bobs...theres usually people from my yard there too ( most of us hack there) so we tend to congregate and form a huge pile of bags and tack etc which one person is always keeping an eye on.

OH meets me there sometimes with supplies, dependant on hangover..

 

[golddustsara]

I hack to local dressage comps at a nearby stud. They are always nice and let me put my bag and high vis in the show caravan. If you are pre-entered then I can't see any problems. Always nice to have a friend come along tho to hold the horse when you need a loo break but I always find willing holders!

 

[marmalade76]

I haven't hacked to a show for a fair few years ( mainly because there are no shows within hacking distance anymore.) I used to hack to a lot of shows in my teens and most a lot further than 2.5 miles! I only took what I could fit in my pockets and there is always someone willing to hold a horse for a few minuets. You could ask your friends if they are going too and would be willing to let you put your stuff in their trailer/vehicle for the day.
p.s. Your horse looks very simular to mine!

 

[Kenzo]

I have had to hack to some events/shows over the last couple of years after selling my trailer which I had for 14 years although had a box to use when competing another ladies horse but I can honestly say if you used to transport......its nightmare! but iyou only miss something when you've had it, and to be honest if you pre enter and its just something like dressage, then you can pretty much do if you get your number before hand.

Otherwise there will always be a time when you'll need to nip off to the butty van or collect your numbers, or re-vamp your horses plaits and require your grooming tackle, have somewhere to dump your keys/purse and other items. I once took Macky to a show last year and my OH met me there in the car with most of my clobber and it was still a freaking nightmare lol

, I couldnt tie him up, didnt have any to change, he was a tad sweaty, couldn't wash his saddle mark off for the inhand class, had access to water so he could have a drink from the water trough but never again! but that was at a Agricultural show and well, you cant exactly cut corners on your turnout, it was a stressful day and swore never to do it again! lol

We do ride up to our local comp yard though if its just dressage/jumping or training days, there is always someone around to help or hold your horse for a 5 minutes.....everyone needs hand now and again and everyone with horses knows that, so its good that you can ask a compete stranger to hold your horse, bless em.

Get yourself off, you'll be fine

 

[fatpiggy]

I always hacked to shows as my mare didn't box. It also gave her a chance to get rid of a bit of excess energy (didn't work though!). I carried a small grooming kit and even smaller medical kit in a rucksack plus a packed lunch for horsey and a collapsible canvas water bucket (I bought a bacon barm from the butty wagon for me), headcollar and leadrope clipped to the saddle Ds. I knew enough people there to ask if I could tie to their horsebox or they would hold her for me so that I could put my entry in, and often friends brought water for her. It was so nice that we always helped each other out.

 

[bonnie08]

i hack to local shows...well about 3 miles and my mum sometimes meets me in the car
try and get someone to go with you cuz you might need help and it makes the day more fun!!

 

[No1_in_particular]

I used to hack to shows 4 miles away on a regular basis.
My pony wouldn't load into a trailer and it was such a nice hack.....
Max always knew where he was going when he had all his fancy show stuff on and loved the treck....... the only time he didn't spook on a hack hehe.....
Also it was the perfect wamr up and wind down after a day of jumping......

 

[Tnavas]

I remember hacking miles to shows as a kid, even hacking 20 miles or so the day before to a friends place closer to the show - there were rarely ever any trailers or lorries then. I had an old school satchel where I put my lunch, drink, a brush and a cloth. There were no toilets - you ducked behind the hedge if you got really desperate! Then everyone was in the same boat though. It was fun and I think kids today miss out on the fun side of going to shows, meeting up with friends, having races on the way home, and the thrill of tying all your rossettes on your bridle and riding home with them there for all to see.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I would recommend either taking your car to leave in the car park and getting a lift back to your yard to collect George or getting a friend to drive to the comp with your stuff in the car.
I'm sure though that if you can't persuade any-one to go with you there will always be someone around who will hold the horse for a few minutes for you, or who will fetch anything you need e.g. food.

 

[Tallante]

I used to take a ride and drive horse to dressage competitions and although I never did it, always thought how much fun it could be to turn up with a warmed up horse, cart and saddle. The cart would have carried lots of clobber too.

I might yet get around to it...

I realise this doesn't help you out very much though.

If the venue isn't far, could you not deliver anything you might need by car and leave it somewhere safe/with a friend before collecting your horse?