Hunter Trial - opening gates!

Bav

Bav

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So I entered my first hunter trial last night, it's been a year since we did one as the Horsey needed to have surgery to remove her splint bone at the beginning of this year.

I was feeling confident up until half an hour ago when I was informed we would be required to open and close a gate...
Don't shoot me down, I've never ever had to do a gate in a Hunter Trial (I am aware they are incorporated in a few, but hadn't seen them used in many years!)
I've never had to open and shut a gate on my mare. Not unless you include pushing open a swinging gate and pulling shut the massive metal gate to our school. And now I'm panicking and can't even think of any ways of practising this!! We have lovely hacking around us but not strictly bridleways and definitely no gates at all!

Pleaseeee can anybody think of any way of practising this?? Cause I'm freaking out and not entirely sure my fidget bum of a horse is going to allow me to pull her up mid course to attempt this!
 
Have to say I was surprised when I did one earlier this year and it involved a gate type thing! Never come across one before but I think it might be more a pony club thing. I'd ring and ask if it's mounted or not, as mine involved getting off, moving a rail, walking over it, putting rail back and getting back on. With the aid of a mounting block. Wasn't difficult but we were slow. Easier for small lithe pc riders!

If it's a gate you do mounted then to practice I'd just practice round a rail or post, stopping, standing, leaning over and then turning. All I can think of! Am sure it'll be fine, just enjoy it ��
 
It's a gate to open and close whilst mounted, there is a slip rail but that's only for the PC members participating in the tetrathalon. I was very surprised, but I think you're right Bernster it's the first HT I've done that's run by a PC instead of RC or simply the event centre. I don't think she'll jump it, I'm concerned that she'll get confused at the question and become nappy, I don't have issues with the start my box although she can be sticky over the first few fences until I get her going and her default is to just run backwards if she's confused. Urrgghhh!

All I could come up with was using two wings and using a light gymkhana pole and asking somebody to hold onto it and act like a hinge. But then I don't want to confuse her and cause all kinds of problems by teaching her to stop by wings! I admit seems a very good challenge and very practical in one respect. On the other I'm not keen on having something break the flow that I'll be battling to get into from the get go.
 
I did a HT a few years ago and you could either open the gate or get time pens added to your score. Is there anything in the rules about that? Might save you worrying about it?
 
AandK said:
I did a HT a few years ago and you could either open the gate or get time pens added to your score. Is there anything in the rules about that? Might save you worrying about it?
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Oohhh I don't know, I'm going to toddle off and enquire! Thankyou!
 
The wings might be a good idea. You could put them somewhere you wouldn't jump if you're concerned she'll get confused. But I think it's different enough that she really wouldn't though. In mini trec comps at our yard we've tied string round the top of the wings and that worked. Good practice anyway I like giving them odd things to think about!
 
As long as your mare can do rein back, turn on the forehand and quarters and stands still when needed you will be fine. Are you allowed to carry a hunting whip? That would make life easier! Good luck.
 
When I have met these they have been in a "timed section" at the end as opposed to mid way round. At least that way you will have had a nice jump round. They have also been optional to dismount, which people have done if the horse became nappy.

I found the best way to do them was to pull up a short distance before, then take your time to line up with looser reins rather than pull up on the spot and still be tense when leaning forwards/sideways. If it is near the end then they tend to think they have finished and relax anyway if you slow it all down, IME.

One horrific time a friend was being competitive and tried to pull up at the last moment, but the horse got hold of the bit and cleared it. Was a full height gate, but only very narrow, with a big sticking up metal handle that did not look good near the horse's tummy! He was eliminated.
 
Clodagh said:
stands still when needed you will be fine.
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Hahaha! This may be the most difficult part! She's so much better then when I first got her, but she's not one to stand still for very long, particularly when you want her to!

Bernster said:
The wings might be a good idea. You could put them somewhere you wouldn't jump if you're concerned she'll get confused. But I think it's different enough that she really wouldn't though. In mini trec comps at our yard we've tied string round the top of the wings and that worked. Good practice anyway I like giving them odd things to think about!
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I never thought of using string round wings that's fantastic! Thankyou!

I'd use the arena gates but they swing shut, so it's kind of cheating and I doubt I'll get a lovely gate I can push or pull and shimmy through!

I thought they'd stopped using gates, dammit! Although, in all honesty, it is something I ought to teach her anyway, just never ever had to!
 
When I've done it, the gate has been in a timed section in the middle and it's always been a nice, easy gate that stays where you put it.

I've never had any bother but we have loads of gates on our hacking plus I've done gate shutting days on mine.
 
Bav said:
It's a gate to open and close whilst mounted, there is a slip rail but that's only for the PC members participating in the tetrathalon. I was very surprised, but I think you're right Bernster it's the first HT I've done that's run by a PC instead of RC or simply the event centre. I don't think she'll jump it, I'm concerned that she'll get confused at the question and become nappy, I don't have issues with the start my box although she can be sticky over the first few fences until I get her going and her default is to just run backwards if she's confused. Urrgghhh!

All I could come up with was using two wings and using a light gymkhana pole and asking somebody to hold onto it and act like a hinge. But then I don't want to confuse her and cause all kinds of problems by teaching her to stop by wings! I admit seems a very good challenge and very practical in one respect. On the other I'm not keen on having something break the flow that I'll be battling to get into from the get go.
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Plum Park?
From memory it is quite a straightforward gate.
Enjoy - it's usually a nice course
 
Once you've found a practice gate (or gate like object), work out a routine then make sure you follow the same routine every time so they start anticipate what comes next. If your horse is the sort to be bribed then that can help immensely with the standing still moments. Make sure you practice going through both ways, and if going in the pushing direction a horse trained to nudge it open with their nose is mighty useful ;)
 
Bav said:
Yes it is!! Hahaha! I've jumped there before which is why I thought it might be a nice 'first time post op' one, but never had to do a gate before!
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You'll be fine. I am trying desperately to remember the gate from last year but it must have been simple as my youngest did it and I don't remember her having a problem.

I'll be there, my two children are taking part. I'll look out for you - will you be on the grey in your avatar?
 
OldNag said:
You'll be fine. I am trying desperately to remember the gate from last year but it must have been simple as my youngest did it and I don't remember her having a problem.

I'll be there, my two children are taking part. I'll look out for you - will you be on the grey in your avatar?
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I will indeed! I'm doing the pairs and Individual 70cm as it's our first Jumping competition AND hunter trial in almost a year and I seem to have forgotten where I left my brave pants. I'll be on a fidgety and probably misbehaving grey in navy and pink! Or equally, the one horse trying to paw her way to Australia in the lorry field...
 
Bav said:
I will indeed! I'm doing the pairs and Individual 70cm as it's our first Jumping competition AND hunter trial in almost a year and I seem to have forgotten where I left my brave pants. I'll be on a fidgety and probably misbehaving grey in navy and pink! Or equally, the one horse trying to paw her way to Australia in the lorry field...
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My two are doing 70 pairs and one is doing 70 ind, other is having her first go at an 80.
One palomino pony, one bay. Both quite nippy and will have to slow down A LOT if it's based on optimum time ;)

Will look out for you, good luck :)
.
 
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