Hard ground - to enter or not to enter ?

[JCbruce]

The ground is rock solid at the moment. There is a unfil clear round sj and xc next weekend and the going is usually good there but I'm worried about it being to hard. We do have some rain forecast for next week but we did last week and that did not amount to much.

My friend thinks I'm being silly and should just enter but he's only 6 and there is always another day. I was thinking on entering a BD instead. I have till tomorrow to decide

Who have been XC or eventing recently?

 

[Cragrat]

I have schooled XC, on ground with REALLY good old pasture grass cover, and it's in a valley bottom, so not as dry as some places. It isn't at all rutted/ hoof-pocked or bare.
If you have any doubts at all about the ground you will be on, then BD is definitely the safer option.

 

[Sanversera]

I always think it's better to be safe than sorry. I wouldn't enter, for the sake of the horse.

 

[millitiger]

I've entered an event next weekend.
We're due some rain next week which hopefully comes to something and I'll just take it one phase at a time and withdraw if I feel the ground isn't good or he isn't enjoying it.

 

[Jellymoon]

I think it’s ok to run them on hard ground as long as it’s not too often and the jumps are small.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

The ground is rock solid at the moment. There is a unfil clear round sj and xc next weekend and the going is usually good there but I'm worried about it being to hard. We do have some rain forecast for next week but we did last week and that did not amount to much.

My friend thinks I'm being silly and should just enter but he's only 6 and there is always another day. I was thinking on entering a BD instead. I have till tomorrow to decide

Who have been XC or eventing recently?

Will your friend be paying the vet bill, if he gets injured?

 

[meandmyself]

I wouldn't. It's not good to jump on hard ground, especially with a younger horse.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I’d go BD in your position.

 

[AppyLover1996]

Another one who says do BD or save your lovely young horse for another day - better to be cautious and avoid potential injuries rather than reckless and end up with a potentially serious injury x

 

[Identityincrisis]

I definitely wouldn’t, as someone once said to me, it’s your hobby, your livelihood doesn’t rely on running them so why would you risk it? So you’ll miss out on a day of fun but your young horse won’t have jarred legs and joints

 

[kathantoinette]

Nah, I wouldn’t. Our horses seem to injure themselves for no apparent reason let alone giving them an actual reason

 

[Lady Jane]

I wouldn't - there is an HT 7/6 and if we get unexpected rain will see if they will take a late entry. its my hobby and i want my horse to last so don't take those risks