Loooong Trailer Trip. Opinions pls!

[cm2581]

I did a bit of TREC last year and was quite taken with it! So I had decided I would try to aim to qualify for the GB champs this(next!) year. But its just been announced its in Dartmoor. I'm near Edinburgh. It's 458 miles each way!! So the logistics! I have a trailerr. Can I travel that far without a stop overnight for the horse? (She travels well) The longest I have driven her was 4 hours with 15 min stop in the middle. That was around 150 miles but not great roads for 2nd half. I thought if I were to go, I'd realistically have to travel wed/thurs aim to be there as early as venue opens. Rest time for her till the Saturday with maybe a little hack out on the Friday. Comp sat/sun. Leave Monday afternoon/evening.

Is it feasible? Is it worth it?! I'd be aiming at the level 2 so bout 20-25km but hoping to do a few 30km competitive endurance rides previous so horse should be pretty fit! This is of course if I manage to qualify!!

 

[corrie153]

im sure due to welfare concerns you can only drive for four hours and then you have to stop for a while to allow the horse to rest, so the jouney will take a wee while for the rest stops.
If the journey is 400 odd miles i would attempt it in two stages, especially in a trailer. I used to drive often edin-london in my car and that is about 400 miles and the quickest I managed it was in 6hrs and that was on empty roads driving about 75mph, the longest it took me was 13hrs - it was a nightmare journey! i think stages is ur best bet

 

[chickeninabun]

It is a long way, so I'd schedule in a couple of stops, for both you and the horse.
My pony arrived from Germany 3 years ago in November. She came in a trailer, in just a stable rug, no boots etc. She was 26yo at the time. It took them just over 16 hours from Germany to Yorkshire, via ferry at Calais. They only stopped to get on the ferry and occasional toliet stops. They left Germany at about 6am and arrived with us at about 10pm. The mare was none the worse for the journey, but she does travel very well. She used to be a top dressage pony, so virtually lived on the road going to competitions.

Good luck at qualifying for the Trec champs. I've just entered myself in the Winter Series competition. I did one earlier this year and LOVED it! Am not brave enough to do a full comp though. But have my name down to do a Trec camp next year, which should be fun!

 

[robysfarm]

I would definately do it in 2 stages with an overnight stop along the way. If you where just moving her from one home to another it is slightly different but if competing she will need the journey broken up, that is what we have always done with ours (showing not endurance etc). If possible with your trailer (not sure what type it is sorry) but could you remove the centre partition so she has more room and might be more comfortable for her travelling a long distance like that.

 

[mga4ever]

My friend lives up in Scotland (Ayrshire) she competes with us almost every weekend. She always travels down on Friday, competes Saturday and Sunday (also monday sometimes) and then travels home. The furthest competition I have known her do are Sandringham, Builth wells or Gatcombe. Many ponies competing in our discipline are on the lorry for 7/8 hours on a friday before competing on saturday morning. We also travel abroad quite often and rarely spread the journey over several days due to time constraints. If your pony is fit and a good traveller then you should have no problem especially if you are planning an easy day on the Friday.