Hard ground and eventing - What to do?

Lisamd

Lisamd

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As title really - what is everyone else doing?
I have a big, young horse and have only done 2 BE events this season, then the ground has been mega hard and i'm too afraid to enter anything else until we have had some substantial rain.
But i'm also very aware that i've paid my subs and want to get out and about - this is my first BE season after 2 years off and i'm despirate to get going!
Just having a crisis of confidence - am i doing the right thing being carefull or should i just kick on and keep going out like everyone else?!
 
Well, most BE events will be working on the ground, so it should be substantially better than your average paddock. Also, I prefer to run young horses at low levels on less than ideal ground just so as I move up I know what they love/hate and can plan accordingly - you really don't want to find out your horse hates hard/deep going just when you're about to run your first intermediate or whatever. I'm also reasonably happy to run on hard and not rutted, but rutted ground would always make me withdraw. You also can just hack round the XC - not a massive problem to gain time as presumably on a young horse you are out for the education at this point?

It's a balancing act, no doubt about it, and it would make me be strategic about where I ran and how often, and I would also avoid events which are always hard and don't work on the ground enough, which is possibly one reason Cheltenham didn't have the entries this year.

I also have a tendency to run 2-3 event close together and then break, except in June/July/August when I'm more likely to run one a month and in between do some lessons/BSJA/dressage etc.
 
I was thinking the same, and there is meant to be a hose pipe ban here, but its is peeing it down here now, so hopefully the ground will be ok here now. I am in the same boat as you!
 
I won't run my small young horse on hard ground at the moment! It's not so much the competing, but the XC schooling etc inbetween. If you do go competing, are you going to be aware of the ground and as a result ride more defensively?! If so, it's not worth it. You've still got 3mnths where it's likely to be better ground conditions :)
 
Like SpottedCat I think you will actually get better ground at BE than many other things right now. I have given up showjumping outdoors at the moment as anywhere round here is rock hard. I travelled much further than usual the other week to SJ on a surface and between events my 6yo is only jumping on a surface at lessons about once a fortnight.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the ground at the 4 events we have done this year. In fact the hardest ground we encountered was the one we did back in April. Also if I had any worries about the ground I would take it easier speed wise xc. Like SC the ground I would not risk on is rutted where it has been wet dried hard and left untreated. I did not SJ outdoors in later summer last year with my horse because of that.

Am going to Eglinton tomorrow and hear the forecast is heavy rain. Up here when it starts to rain it tends not to know when to stop so before long I may be worrying about the opposite problem!!
 
I think it depends on what you want to get out of it tbh. If you are happy to pay the entry fees and school round the xc then great. But if you would still want to be competitive, then personally I wouldn't.

I only compete unaff ODEs now (BE too expensive) so I will compete whatever the ground as I am happy to go steady or retire if the ground is questionable :)
 
i am meant to be eventing next weekend and if we don't get substantial rain then i won't be running xc.

i have a big, young horse and he is hardly doing any trotwork on the fields as it is so hard (he is 4).

i would be much more wary about running a big, young horse and would be spending this time sj'ing and practicing dressage on a surface and then perhaps enter more events sept/oct when the ground *should* be a bit better?
 
Have been really careful with our mare this year and withdrew her from PC at Smiths Lawn as the ground was not good, however she did something shortly after in the paddock and vets are coming again today as she still isn't right :rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
I'm running but slowly. I hadn't planned to run XC at Winkleigh but on walking the course and seeing the work that had been one and being told what they were doing overnight, in addition to being one of the first on the course I could get maximum benefit. It wasn't fantastic but there was good grass cover and it wasn't rutted, went round at Fleur's own speed slowing up at the hardest points and the more difficult fences and so picked up 14 time penalties which dropped me from top 3 to out of placings. I'm glad I did run as a schooling round as she is just growing in confidence and I took the oppourtunity to ask some extra questions from her without worrying about the end result although thankfully they all worked out ;)

Next event unless it rains lots I suspect I will be running with similar plan of going slowly (well compared to optimum time ;) ) and just building on her confidence.
 
santa145 said:
I'm running but slowly. It wasn't fantastic but there was good grass cover and it wasn't rutted, went round at Fleur's own speed slowing up at the hardest points and the more difficult fences and so picked up 14 time penalties which dropped me from top 3 to out of placings.
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Well done Santa for making a sensible decision :) but clearly others didn't take the same view.

Do you think BE should adjust the Optimum time just a little so it is according to the ground conditions to encourage people not to run silly :confused:
 
Richmond. They have a BSJ show every Wednesday. I have rejoined. Annoyingly not one on this Wed though or the 28th which are the next 2 dates I can get to
 
nickirhia99 said:
Well done Santa for making a sensible decision :) but clearly others didn't take the same view.

Do you think BE should adjust the Optimum time just a little so it is according to the ground conditions to encourage people not to run silly :confused:
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A good idea but I guess it becomes contentious. At least everyone knows what the goal posts are and it is up to the individual to use their commone sense. I saw someone in the Intro at Hutton go MORE THAN A MINUTE under the OT :eek::eek: No the ground was pretty good there and I have to say I had very few concerns about it but that is just crazy :mad:
 
I dont do BE but having recently just got a lorry again (the only way my mare will travel) I've been itching to get out but the ground is just toooo hard. I dont have a menage at home so can not do any catering or jumping work and havent done for about 6wks now so havent even taken her to somewhere with a surface as just not fair having not prepared for it.
Please send the rain here to East anglia, well once the hay is carted on sunday :)
 
My horse has also been swimming once a week for almost 3 months now to get his fitness up without stressing joints. We are able to do our fastwork at some sand gallops nearby. Other than that he just hacks out in walk and trot or schools on a surface.
Have worked really hard at keeping his fitness up as even at low level it is important to me that he is fit enough to do the job to reduce chances of injury.
 
My poor 4 year old hasn't come out of a walk (apart from 1 lesson on a surface a week) for 5 weeks. She is being astonishingly patient about it thank god but to compete her she would need to be fit and I can't get her fit in walk only! I know that the ground at BE events would be better than just a field but I think the damage I would do getting her ready to compete would be the problem. I guess if you have access to say an all weather gallop etc then that would be fine but if not I don't think its worth the risk.
 
in my section (PN) there was one girl who had 15 penalties for going too fast I was a little shocked to say least!!

I would like to think I have the long term career of Fleur in mind but at 10 rather than 5as long as the ground is safe I will run for the experience, we will run for placings when the conditions allow!
 
Well, I entered Stafford, then Mick went lame (not like him at all) so I have withdrawn and my plans for BE'ing for the rest of the season are now up in the air.

I definately won't run him xc now until it rains. Thats if he stays sound.
 
I'm not an eventer, but am only walking in the field, have got a sand school but it's extremely deep, dusty and uneven because of no rain, so am not riding Toto in there, he hates it and it's not fair on him, so won't ride in there until we have some rain to even it out and get rid of the dust. He's also managed to slip over in his field and had to have the physio for a mild back injury, it's not going well at the moment :( He's fine now though :) Was really hoping to go xc schooling next month, but if it's still like this then that's not gonna happen either :( Haven't jumped for 3 weeks already, and won't be for a while, as paddock's too hard and schools too deep! We might be moving yards to a yerd with an all weather arena + an indoor arena, we can't keep on like this with no arena, he needs regular work as he's a very good doer, his health comes first!
 
nickirhia99 said:
Do you think BE should adjust the Optimum time just a little so it is according to the ground conditions to encourage people not to run silly :confused:
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I think that's a very sensible idea. The speed we are supposed to go for PN does seem pretty fast sometimes so it's even more so for Novice. As Santa highlighted, you can't assume everyone will consder their horses and adjust their speed accordingly.

However, I suppose it would be hard to put into practise (although not that hard, thinking about it - an adjustment of the speed displayed alongside the course plan?)

I am continuing to event, have turned up to events totally prepared to W/D if necessary but so far have been pleasantly surprised by what I've found.

Keeping them fit is obviously the tricky part, but by carrying on eventing they are staying fit - the only place with going suitable enough to give them proper canterwork is at the events themselves! In between I work them in the school and on hacks - have been doing lots of long slow trots, building in hills whenever I can.

They are probably doing far more damage to themselves hammering round their rock hard field! But I'm not prepared to keep them in because the ground is hard so I just turn them out and cringe.
 
Jul said:
I think that's a very sensible idea. The speed we are supposed to go for PN does seem pretty fast sometimes so it's even more so for Novice. As Santa highlighted, you can't assume everyone will consder their horses and adjust their speed accordingly.

However, I suppose it would be hard to put into practise (although not that hard, thinking about it - an adjustment of the speed displayed alongside the course plan?)

I am continuing to event, have turned up to events totally prepared to W/D if necessary but so far have been pleasantly surprised by what I've found.

Keeping them fit is obviously the tricky part, but by carrying on eventing they are staying fit - the only place with going suitable enough to give them proper canterwork is at the events themselves! In between I work them in the school and on hacks - have been doing lots of long slow trots, building in hills whenever I can.

They are probably doing far more damage to themselves hammering round their rock hard field! But I'm not prepared to keep them in because the ground is hard so I just turn them out and cringe.
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What is too hard for some horses wouldn't necessarily be too hard for others - e.g. a flat bred TB that likes top of the ground vs a heavier type which wants a good cut in the ground. Some intro events, you often find the riders of TBs can go way under the optimum time without looking hairy/hurried from a fence judge/control's point of view...
 
nickirhia99 said:
Well done Santa for making a sensible decision :) but clearly others didn't take the same view.

Do you think BE should adjust the Optimum time just a little so it is according to the ground conditions to encourage people not to run silly :confused:
Click to expand...
I dont see any good reason to adjust the time as it is down to personal choice how fast you go.Some horses thrive on hard going so they should not be deprived their moment by moving the goalpost so that horses that dont like the going can stay competetive.You need to understand your horse and ride it accordingly ,as SC said unless you actually run them in what you feel may be adverse conditions you will never know if they can handle it, you always have the option to pull up.At most events I would worry about the SJ more than CC as you have more jumping efforts in a short period and it does tend to get more cut up and rutted.
 
I'm suprised at those of you who are only walking on the ground at the moment.

I am easing off on the fast work, but still expect horse to work on all types of going to condition their legs. I may be wrong, and am aware that lots of work on hard ground can cause bony changes, but it should also be beneficial to tendons and ligaments to have horse accomstomed to wokring on all sorts of going - I would have thought.

I am hacking/riding as normal. Won't overdo it on the ground, but will have a XC run or two this Summer. If horse had done no trot or canter work on grass before hand that would really worry me.
 
Maybe if I have just walked on the hard ground my horse wouldn't be lame now. :D

I heard on the radio this morning it is the driest spring/summer since 1921, so no wonder the ground is hard and people are concerned :)
 
I have barely altered my routine with my 12 year old, although we wont jump and only canter for short spurts in my paddock as it is really too hard with very little grass coverage. However we have access to a menage where we do any intense schooling/jumping, and I still give her good gallops for fitness work when I go out on a hack (we have a lot of hilly fields around me), as the grass is much longer in the big open fields. I am still eventing her as normal too, although if the ground was rutted I would WD. She hasn't had a single warm leg throughout this summer (or ever!), although she is a big chunky ISH with treetrunk legs. It is all about knowing your horse- I know mine thrives on the harder ground.
My 3.5yo however, hasn't done any work since the ground got hard. She is a wuss, has skinny little TB legs and got slightly footsore when she had her feet done last, so there is no way she can do any work on this ground!
 
In my opinion, there really is no point in risking your horses for the sake of a few events. I know its hard and everyone is so keen to get out there, but say you compete, then your horse goes lame, you may then end up having even more time off!

If there is rain before hand then fair enough, but it's not worth the risk at the moment. Youngster and the older horses especiallly!

Im not eventing mine atm, mother wont let me .. lol U understand where shes coming from! I would hate my horses to go lame and be out for the season down to my selfishness and impatience!
 
hi
this is my first year eventing and i have been very pleased with the effort all the events have put into there ground.
i too have still been out and about with the intention of maybe just doing the dressage if im not happy with the ground iv'e never had to withdraw once from a BE event but have turned up twice to unaffiliated events and my horse has stood on the box and munched hay all day :D
so i have stopped entering local events now because there is just no point
the biggest problem iv'e had with the ground this year was at hexham where it p'ed down all weekend then was very slippy and muddy in places

i think the biggest problem with the ground is keeping them fit and xc schooling
as the ground at events is suprisingly good

i haven't done any xc practice this year because of this but i am very lucky to have a fantastic 6 mile beach a 5 min box ride away to do some fast work
im also schooling on beach now because the school i use is now so dry it is getting really deep :(
 
im with stacey-tipplehill on this one. I WD from an unaff as i know they do not have the equipent or money to sort the ground out, and although i really dont have money to loose, i really dont have money for a vet bill if i did run and something went wrong. The risk to tendons/ligaments are much greater on hard ground, not worth a ribbon on my opinion.
saying this though, i have been pleasently surprised with the ground at BE, the worst i have done so far is sapey in april.
again i am receiving lots of time penalties xc but so far all my horses have returned home sound and thats my biggest goal.
all this being said, it is raining here and has been for the last 2 days. as my horses now have soft ground to train on at home i am not so worried about occasional hard ground at an event. it rained last week too so we are probably one of the few parts of the country with good ground.

And much more importantly.......we have water again!!!!!!!!!! we live on a farm with its own well and it run dry about 6 weeks ago. we have been living from a water tank and borrowing showers, washing machines etc......thank god showers at home again :)
 
I'm another that has been impressed with the ground at BE this year considering how dry it has been. I do wonder if the cancellation of Cleobury made organisers think a bit more about the state of the ground.

A-u-W tried very hard with their ground, watering and aerovating and Shipton this week had put so much surface around the fences that it was like jumping in an arena. Ok, so the ground was still hard between fences but at least they had worked the ground and really made an effort.

I won't run unaff at the moment and I won't run fast (not that my mare really knows how to go fast yet! :rolleyes:) but I will run BE providing they have treated the ground and it's not rutted.
 
aregona said:
im with stacey-tipplehill on this one. I WD from an unaff as i know they do not have the equipent or money to sort the ground out, and although i really dont have money to loose, i really dont have money for a vet bill if i did run and something went wrong. The risk to tendons/ligaments are much greater on hard ground, not worth a ribbon on my opinion.
saying this though, i have been pleasently surprised with the ground at BE, the worst i have done so far is sapey in april.
again i am receiving lots of time penalties xc but so far all my horses have returned home sound and thats my biggest goal.
all this being said, it is raining here and has been for the last 2 days. as my horses now have soft ground to train on at home i am not so worried about occasional hard ground at an event. it rained last week too so we are probably one of the few parts of the country with good ground.
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According to the point to point statistics, tendon and ligament injuries are more likely in soft to heavy ground, while broken bones are more likely on faster ground... Certainly seems to have been true at the p2ps I've been to where I know the vets (so have inside info on the injuries). There is more concussion on harder ground - so stress fractures can develop/get worse - but pulling feet out of heavy ground/sliding then stopping on mud is a good way to do tendons/ligaments.
 
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