Is Eland on Today?

Yes it is :eek: was supposed to be doing the Intermediate today but have withdrawn. Ground was soft yesterday and quite slippy and with all this rain heaven only knows what its like now. I was also no 199 to go (about 4.46pm) so didn't really fancy it after 198 horses had already been round :(
 
Interesting it will be, just hope those that do compete get round safely in one piece! I think too much of Pidge too risk him TBH.
Wrap up well if you do go, and I'd be interested to know what the ground was like if you do?
 
My daughter was due to do the mini, got as far as Sudbury then turned back home. It's not fun in torrential rain. Now sat at home watching WEG on sky planner with a brew and bakewell tart - nice and dry!
 
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friend at yard was supposed to do the mini too but she withdrew as well. Can't understand why they still running? Local show cancelled and unaff SJ at home cancelled too as warm up area under water!
 
Have spent the last few weeks moaning like mad that we haven't been able to enter, actually quite relived when I saw the weather this morning. Should be xc schooling there on Wed but somehow I dont see it happening, forecast is so bad for the next few days, the horses will have to grow flippers.
 
We didn't enter but went to watch. When we got there about 12 noon, the lorry park was only half full, which is unusual. My mate is fence judging and she said at 8.30am there was 3 lorries in the car park.

We saw the results of the mini and nearly half in each section had withdrew.

In one section some were going round in 7 minutes plus, think opt time was just over 5 mins. and the other section they were mostly 5-6 minutes. Loads of refusals - you would think that would tell them something wouldn't you, ie. listen to your horse.

And loads of fallers, and a couple of hospital runs. When we left they were waiting for the ambulance to return from a run before they could start again. they put out half an hour delay and they were already running about an hour and a half late.

Saw another mate in the shop and there had been a bad fall at Marchington too SJ. Someone had landed on their head and was taken to hospital, so not a very good day to be competing.
 
MickeyMoo said:
We didn't enter but went to watch. When we got there about 12 noon, the lorry park was only half full, which is unusual. My mate is fence judging and she said at 8.30am there was 3 lorries in the car park.

We saw the results of the mini and nearly half in each section had withdrew.

In one section some were going round in 7 minutes plus, think opt time was just over 5 mins. and the other section they were mostly 5-6 minutes. Loads of refusals - you would think that would tell them something wouldn't you, ie. listen to your horse.

And loads of fallers, and a couple of hospital runs. When we left they were waiting for the ambulance to return from a run before they could start again. they put out half an hour delay and they were already running about an hour and a half late.
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thats awful. surely they shouldnt run if that people truly hurt themselves when they fell... glad i didnt run.
 
Well we're back :)

Got there at about three-forty-five. Lorry park had a fair few, far more than I'd expected.

Ground was soft, but not nearly as cut up I expected it to be. Take-offs and landings, the ones we could see, were good (there's a surface both sides). No ideas on the timings.
 
I did the intermediate there today, was glad I wasn't doing the mini/novice which was a bit of a quagmire after 100 horses over the same track but the intermediate ground was fine and held up well and given the all weather take off and landings I don't know why so many withdrew unless of course you had a top of the ground liking horse they may not have enjoyed it, but even where it was bit sloppy crossing the novice track horses were getting there toe in a getting a good grip- didn't have a single slip all the way round- was clear and only about 30 sec over the time which considering I trotted through the bit before the sunken road(shared by most tracks so a bit muddy) was not bad. They were on time by this point as well, very slick organisation in terms of getting through the horses, results and prize givings.
 
I went with my friend who was doing the novice. I did tell her I thought she was mad to go but we had a great day :) She did a lovely clear, her time was not fast but the idea was to aim for a clear rather than a ribbon so mission accomplished. She reckoned the going was heavy rather than slippery. While we were walking the course & retrieving her crop (which flew out of her hand when she took a flyer at the sunken road) we saw a fair few go round and didn't see any nasty falls or mishaps that I would blame on the going :)
 
Spinal Tap said:
I went with my friend who was doing the novice. I did tell her I thought she was mad to go but we had a great day :) She did a lovely clear, her time was not fast but the idea was to aim for a clear rather than a ribbon so mission accomplished. She reckoned the going was heavy rather than slippery. While we were walking the course & retrieving her crop (which flew out of her hand when she took a flyer at the sunken road) we saw a fair few go round and didn't see any nasty falls or mishaps that I would blame on the going :)
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I agree with SP.

I competed and judged - as a livery I will find out re: Hospital runs and bad falls as they never came over my radio.

Fallers and refusals were no more than usual and I have judged at every HT/BE at EL for the last 2/3 years.

I think a lot of people looked out of the window and thought no way in this weather. If I had had to groom/load/travel etc I think I may have stayed in bed :) As it is all I have to do is drive to Eland and tack me hoss up.

The whole team esp Peter worked like mad and late into the evening and early in the morning to keep the going up to top notch but god had the last word and rain it did. I will say I have judged BE at Eland and they have gone ahead in much wetter conditions

My only problem was the two twits who were walking through the watersplash as I was about to canter through it - the judges whistle means get the ****** out of the way there is a horse coming - where you deaf or just wanted to frighten a horse for shits and giggles. As it was Jack carried on oblivious and said twits just got wetter as we splashed past.

Everyone I spoke to had a good day.

Paddy
 
MickeyMoo said:
We didn't enter but went to watch. When we got there about 12 noon, the lorry park was only half full, which is unusual. My mate is fence judging and she said at 8.30am there was 3 lorries in the car park.

We saw the results of the mini and nearly half in each section had withdrew.

In one section some were going round in 7 minutes plus, think opt time was just over 5 mins. and the other section they were mostly 5-6 minutes. Loads of refusals - you would think that would tell them something wouldn't you, ie. listen to your horse.

And loads of fallers, and a couple of hospital runs. When we left they were waiting for the ambulance to return from a run before they could start again. they put out half an hour delay and they were already running about an hour and a half late.

Saw another mate in the shop and there had been a bad fall at Marchington too SJ. Someone had landed on their head and was taken to hospital, so not a very good day to be competing.
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I would be interested to know exactly where this information came from, we didnt have an emergency ambulance visit us all day OR any hospital runs - just the normal paramedic car thats onsite at all events.

The vet saw to one horse - in the lorry park that had been kicked by the owners other horse.

There was also no delay on the course (how could there be if lots of people had withdrawn!)

If you take a look at the results very few people were eliminated, lots withdrew and those that chose to run were obviously happy to do so.
 
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If you read the beginning of my post glitterfuzz it says that i went to watch.:D

As we were leaving it came over the commentry that the ambulance had gone off to hospital. :D

I haven't mentioned any vets??:confused:

I haven't mentioned anything about anyone getting eliminated???:confused:
 
My little sister did the intermediate. Her time was just after 4, she went on time and just missed the rain! She said the warm up was slippy and muddy but that is to be expected, there isn't much people and do about that.

She said the ground was alright on the course and fences had got good take off and landings. She went clear but was a bit of a numpty and jumped down the wrong set of steps and get herself elminated. She was miles off the time but I told her to go steady because of the wet ground.

The only concern I had was that the open times were nearly 7pm and the light is really bad by 6.30, I didn't think they would have enough light to jump. Would be interested to hear how that worked out.
 
Just looked at the results and by my reckoning about 95 people withdrew, so that makes me feel better for withdrawing now. Call me silly if you want but Pidge is my only horse and I intend to look after him, even if I am a neurotic owner every now and again :rolleyes:
 
wispagold said:
My little sister did the intermediate. Her time was just after 4, she went on time and just missed the rain! She said the warm up was slippy and muddy but that is to be expected, there isn't much people and do about that.

She said the ground was alright on the course and fences had got good take off and landings. She went clear but was a bit of a numpty and jumped down the wrong set of steps and get herself elminated. She was miles off the time but I told her to go steady because of the wet ground.

The only concern I had was that the open times were nearly 7pm and the light is really bad by 6.30, I didn't think they would have enough light to jump. Would be interested to hear how that worked out.
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Well done to your sister, pity about the steps, but the best thing is to get round safely isn't it. :)

Thats strange re the open times. I have just looked on the site and it said the last to go was 17.54. Thats what puts me off about moving up a class. I prefer to ride in the morning or lunchtime, but I'm sure I will get used to it. :)
 
Pidgeon said:
Just looked at the results and by my reckoning about 95 people withdrew, so that makes me feel better for withdrawing now. Call me silly if you want but Pidge is my only horse and I intend to look after him, even if I am a neurotic owner every now and again :rolleyes:
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Hi Pidge, I don't blame you for withdrawing. I'm glad I hadn't entered, I was tempted. I don't want to break Mick, thats exactly how I feel. We had a lovely day just going to watch. There will be plenty more days.
 
Pidgeon said:
Just looked at the results and by my reckoning about 95 people withdrew, so that makes me feel better for withdrawing now. Call me silly if you want but Pidge is my only horse and I intend to look after him, even if I am a neurotic owner every now and again :rolleyes:
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All of us who took part from Team Eland are one horse owners and none of us would have run if we had been in any doubt. My horse is practically wrapped in cottonwool, GF can confirm I am neurotic about his well being.

I heard no off site ambulance calls on my radio all day. I never heard Tom announce it either.

Lot's of withdrawls were probably due to the fact it was belting down, and if I'd have had to travel, I would have looked out the window at 8 and not bothered, which I bet a lot of people did.

There were various rumours flying about - someone told me the pairs had been canceled!

Unless you were on the end of a radio, the rest is conjecture.

I had a great ride, my horse is in one piece and the riders I spoke to had a good day.

Paddy
 
I appreciate that but Pidge has had 2 episodes of hock spavin the most recent one in March this year so I too would wrap him in cotton wool if I could! He is a big striding horse who loves competing at Eland - in fact he knows his own way round the course by now :D however I made the decision to withdraw based on the ground and knowing my horse, he powers round well under the time normally and I really didn't fancy taking him round after 198 horses had been round as I felt the ground would be too cut up for him. I'm glad everyone who went had a good time and came back in one piece.
 
Some of you are far too excitable about what generally should be a good place for everyone to chat and generally share experiences etc.

I just put in my posting what I had heard and seen at Eland on sunday. Personally I love the place and love competing there.

Well, I have just emailed admin to close my account, just can't be doing with posting stuff and having to explain myself to people.. life is stressful enough. this is supposed to be relaxing.

So will see you around Pidge and Mrs M. take care. xxx
 
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