Help please hunter trials?!?

[Minnieb]

Hi I have recently signed up for mine AND my horses first ever hunter trial
Me and my friend are getting transport together and are going to ask for times closest together but we aren't jumping pairs so how much of a distance do you beleve there will be between my horse starting and hers?? X will my horse be able to see another horse in front at all times do you reckon? How does optimum time work? And as for xc colours I don't really have any at the moment but my horse has a matching numnah and boots and ears and breastplate and I have a matching skull and top will this be acceptable? Don't want to buy the full kit until I've tried it once or twice to see If I like hunting and enjoy xc thanks.

TIA

 

[Shay]

The distance between your times will depend on the venue and the organizers. It is usually better to have some distance between you. You can watch each other and cheer each other one - and the second horse to go is less likely to panic when his friend gallops off than he would if he were the next horse to go.

It isn't likely that your horse would be able to see the one in front -you'd be too close if that were the case. Although there may be some sections where the track curves and you might see the next horse on the further loop.

Your proposal for colours sounds fine - you don't need anything dedicated. Don't forget to check your hat and BP meet the current standards.

 

[Bernster]

Not sure when yours is but I'd suggest you go and watch one locally, great for giving you an idea of what's involved and there is less 'new' stuff to worry about when you get to yours.

 

[Minnieb]

It's on Saturday so oy sure if I will be able to before hand and I'm aware of how they work roughly but just not sure on how to expect it to be in regards to gaps inbetween horses etc but thankyou it is a good suggestion for next time!😊xxx

 

[Minnieb]

Brilliant thankyou! And okay guess we will just have y go and give I a go then!! Is it 3 refusals before ypur are eliminated?? X and is there a chance to go over some to warm up sometimes do you know?? A bit like sj? Or is it arrive rack up warm up without jumps and straight into trials? ?x thankyou for your reply x

 

[Shay]

You should have a warm up with at least one fence in it. You can't do any jump competition without a warm up fence! But no - you won't be allowed to jump any of the course fences as a warm up. The warm up fence my be a standard show jump type though - not everywhere has a fixed fence in the warm up.

How many refusals etc will depend on the rules if it is unaffiliated - some are more tolerant than others. But under BE or PC you would be eliminated for the third refusal on course - not necessarily the third at any single fence. You may be allowed to complete the course anyway - fence judges do not always know if you have had a refusal at another part of the course. But you could be asked to leave the course and walk back.

If you are having trouble at a fence and another rider comes up behind you should move out of the way and let them go through - it often gives your horse a lead anyway. Don't hold up someone who might make the time when you won't.

Oh... and don't forget presenting then crossing your tracks counts as a refusal even if the horse has not in fact stopped - but circling in front of a fence without presenting is OK.