Hartpury vs Blair CCI*

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sw123

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Plans this season had always been to go to Blair CCI* via Thirlestane en route as our first 3DE. However now the person who I work for who was going too probably won't get to Blair although will have horses at Thirlestane so that would mean going on my own - well just without trainer/kick up the bum!!!

I've always loved Blair and thats why i was aiming at it although have only ever groomed for people and v good horses there so had some great results and grooms prizes!

SO

Speaking to someone I used to work for he suggested going to Hartpury with him as he is taking 2 of his working pupils and a horse of his own there so I would have the kick up the bum and advice needed which if other person can't come to blair i'll miss!

How do these courses compare? I've always hated hartpury becase I think it lacks any atmosphere at all and the ground on the XC is horrendous - if i'd been tehre last year I wouldn't have run which would be gutting. (although what a laugh thinking of hard ground at the moment!).

Also with uni exams, me being broken etc my horse has only run twice at novice this season - chatsworth and osberton double clear and then has missed 2 events due to cancelled/ballot and would actually only have 2 before Hartpury - buckminster and knaptoft whereas if I wait until Blair he could have another august one and then thirlestane which he went round really well last year.


Ohhhhh what to do! (will probably go to Weston or Aldon CCI too at the end of the season)
 
I walked Harpury CCI* a couple of years ago and really liked it, thought it looked quite jumpable - the fence into the water there was quite big, but I think it was changed last year and was kinder. As you know, never ridden either course, but have had a few visits to both as groom and much as we love Blair, I would go to Hartpury. You'll feel a lot more confident if you have someone there to give you advice. I wouldn't worry too much about the going as they took a lot of critisism about it last year and I would imagine they will make sure it's better this year - if we are even going to get anything like hard ground again...hard to believe at the moment!
 
I did Hartpury last year and the ground was fine once they'd rotovated it. If you've got the back-up you need there then that would seem to be the better option.
 
I've done the CCI* at both twice, though haven't been to Blair since 2004. Blair walks bigger and more "in your face" - you need to be bold and be prepared to shut your eyes and kick on in places. Hartpury looks less "oh my god" but I think it's actually more technical. They both ride really well, so it depends what you think will suit your horse.

Also, if you are aiming to be placed, it depends what your horse is good at. There will probably be more entries at Hartpury and a lot more competitive dressage scores - last year around 20 broke the 50 barrier and you'd have to finish on a low 50s score of better to be in the top 20, wheras a low 50s at Blair would have put you around sixth or seventh!

The ground wasn't great on the XC at Hartpury last year, but as Nickym says, they worked hard on it and I thought it was acceptable.

Plus points of Hartpury are doing dressage and show jumping on a surface and having lovely permanent stables and a swimming pool to use! Plus points of Blair are great atmosphere, real feel of the big occasion as you know, and that will probably be magnified this year with the Young Rider Euros. Also, Scottish dancing and posh trot-up in front of the castle!

Tough decision...

Whisky
 
Millbrooksong, don't be silly, you have made your mind up!! we're going to Blair together Remember!!!!!!!
wink.gif
 
See I just spoke to old boss who thinks i should go to Harptury with him as its flatter so he wont' be able to run away from me down the hills. BUT since he last saw me run we have a lot more control!!

I'm not too bothered about the drive to Blair as we'll got to Thirlestane on the weekend before - my favourite event, do the novice then go on from there.

Dressage wise i'd prefer a few more weeks that Blair gives me to keep practicing lol but aim for this CCI is just to complete we'll go competitive next time!!!

Hartpury ground should be better this time, i walked it on XC day last year and just would have gone home, i couldn't believe it even PN events had got better going and watered etc.

I can't really remember teh CCI* course from there though as we were there to walk the CIC*** one. Do remember the water and thats it, maybe thats why i'm unsure - can't compare teh courses due to not knowing!!

Trying to persuade person i work for now to bring a load to SJ at blair and then there isn't a decision. Otherwise still no closer!!
 
yes i'm qualified did the novice 2 day at burgie and aldon!

LOL i keep thinking blair but then deep down i want to do the sensible thing and i'm not sure which is most sensible for my first attempt!

I feel like he's run twice this season - double clear both times at chatsworth which is more like blair then osberton being more technical i assume more like hartpury. Not having someone to go with to blair, well trainer etc, makes that seem a bigger decision......
 
Never ridden at Blair but as atmospheres go you can't beat it. I will hopefully be BSJA ing there this year (assuming he doesn't go lame after I've paid entries again!)
 
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