hunter trials on 12/5 - do I enter or not?

Pidge

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Ok after the buzz yesterday at Somerford Park doing the XC fences (only on the farm ride
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) there is a HT near us on the 12th May. And the first class is a very novice at 2'. So I am happy jumping 2'3" showjumping and thoroughly enjoyed yesterday. Do I enter or not? And if I do enter what exactly is involved in a HT?
 
Hunter trial is just going XC - normally to an optium time. i say go for it, it'll be great fun and you'll hopefully come away more confident
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cool, the course is only 800m so how long would I have to get round in? Don't think it will be a problem with Pidge as he is about 17hh and covers the ground really well but sis with Sunny 14.3hh cob may well struggle to get the time.
The next class up is 2'6" but over 2400m so thought I would perhaps try the novice one first to see what its like?
 
If I do enter it is it worth hiring the course beforehand and having a play, it is literally only 10 mins away in the lorry and the course is available for hire anyway?
 
If you'd feel more confident doing the HT after having a play - then hire out the course. I don't think you have anything to worry about, just go and have a ball. Don't worry about your times etc, jus really get into it. (the 14.3 might beat you timewise, i wouldn't put it past the small uns!)
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You should def enter, you will love it!! I have done a few HT but didn't worry about the optimum time so much, just try and go clear and at a nice steady pace and have fun with it.

You could go before the day if it will give you more confidence, you could practice the water jump and ditches and stuff!
 
i think it is the person closest to the 'optium' time but it does vary from course to course, some may run on whos fastest also. contact the course and see how they run things, just to check it out
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thanks, is it worth boxing them there or hacking them there? would probably take about 20 -30 minutes to hack there.
 
i'd personally hack. i went XC schooling and it took me an hour to hack there - just took the edge of my horses excitement and she jumped lovely. it depends on how energetic your expecting pidge to be! the hack could be a good warm up but if hes quite relaxed already, box
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Edited cause i cant spell
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Ok, it's now in black and white, I'll do it with sis on Sunny as well
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but will hire it and have a play before the 12th. Thanks everyone
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could be good to hack then and saves the hassle of taking the box out, will just have to dump some stuff in mum and dads car then!
Pidge is always energetic when it comes to jumping, but we coped yesterday in the snaffle so I was pleased with that. Only had one sticky moment when we were galloping next to May and neither wanted to stop
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make sure you take lots of pictures to show us, I think it is great that you are going for it!

Have you got your xc colours sorted? You don't have to go all matching, I have a cheesy pink and white silk (from when I rode a mare) and I used to wear an outdoor type of top for comfort - like a Lowe Alpine thing. You will probably need a medical card to wear on your arm and back protector.

Good idea to go schooling at the course before hand too, especially as it is so close!
 
I'm so pleased to read this post. It was only a few weeks back you posted the jumping pics and you've already grown in confidence, it's great inspiration for the rest of us who haven't started along this route yet. Well done and good luck for the trial.
 
new hat is up to scratch safety wise and have a rodney powell body protector, but me thinks a shopping trip is in order for colours - what would suit a chestnut horse?
 
thanks Lisa, have even got the details for Milton Keynes in September as that is suppsed to be really nice
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hooked on XC moi never
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Go for it!!! You may feel incredibly nervous beforehand, but the buzz during it and the sense of achievement afterwards will make it worth it! And us lot on HHO can admire the pictures!
 
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