My Planned(ish) Season for 2012 - information on events needed!

Golden_Match_II

Golden_Match_II

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Hello! I've been meaning to ask for info on some events for ages but kept forgetting. I've been planning the events I'd like to do next year, though it's all based on some loose aims - mid season I'd like to do a CIC*, and at the end of the year I'm aiming for Weston CCIJ*. That means I'll be aiming to do as many South West JRNs as poss, though after Stockland Lovell cancelling there are only 3 at the moment!

The ones I'm highlighting in RED are the ones I've never been to so would love any info or past experiences you've had there :)

MARCH

8-11 - Tweseldown Novice
24-25 - Gatcombe Novice

APRIL

10-11 - Portman ONu18 - I did the 100 here in 2010 but can't really remember anything of the Novice!
28-29 - Bicton Arena ONu18(Q) - one of our qualifiers but because its so far away never been!

MAY
one of the following, not sure which!

12-13 - Chatsworth CIC*
18-20 - Brigstock CIC*

JUNE

15-17 - Nunney International ONu18(Q) - obviously this is new so can't ask for help!
28-1 - Barbury International Novice - our local event but never really walked the novice, just spectated!

JULY

8 - Our PC Area SJ
21 - Our PC Area Eventing
28-29 - Wilton ONu18(Q) - heard lots about this one but never actually managed to get there!

AUGUST

I'm away doing research in the Amazon so can't do much competing!!! :D :D

SEPTEMBER

9-10 - Pontispool IN - never been round the Novice here before so comments welcome! This is compulsory for the team members for Weston so I'd prioritise this run if all's going well at this point!
14-16 - Gatcombe Novice - confidence giving Novice run which by this Time we'll have been round twice before our CCI*

OCTOBER

4-7 - Weston Park CCI* - I'd hopefully get selected to go but realistically I think I could always go individually if I feel ready for this challenge! ;)

Thanks guys! Hope I'm not the only one sad enough to be planning next year :) Haha xx
 
Portman been a few years ago and remember it to be relatively straightforward not the longest course but dressage miles away.

Bicton school there regularly although haven't been since they restarted the event but seem to remember last year the xc caused loads of problems. Course quite undulating and a huge variety of fences they can use including two waters. Show jumping on lovely international size all weather arena.

Barbury def top end Novice, water can cause problems but sounds like you are more than ready for it. Course pics from 2010 on my course pictures page. Ground usually good and jumps well.

Wilton very hilly but jumps well, SJing usually up to size. Good variety of all fences including a quarry. Water sometimes causes problems as horses going away from show jumping. Pictures from 2011 on my website

Pontispool ground can be pretty firm but courses lovely with good variety of fences changes quite a bit each year and although previously though of as an easier event it does seemed to have got harder of late. SJing despite being in lovely all weather arena is very influential and poles usually fly. Pics again on my website.

If your big aim is Weston how about getting a feel for the place and doing the Spring novice I know it is a bit of a trip but roads good?

Hope that helps a bit.

PS If you ever get time to do any course pics want to build up the database next year :)
 
chatsworth is very strong was disappointed with the cic this year as not too different from the novice but the novice in itself is strong brigstock the ground gets very hard
 
i did the novice at chatsworth last year as mine and horses second novice. Was a brilliant eent and will hopefully be doing the CIC* there next year. Its a brilliant event with big bold xc. x
 
S_J Thanks - that is a good thought about Weston, will have to chat to mum who is the driver! To be honest It'll probably about the same distance away from us as somewhere like Bicton, or at least not much different! Thanks so much for your help :) Will definitely try to get some course photos next year.

VGM and Charlotte thanks, was wondering about Chatsworth particularly because it fits well into my calender thus far, so always good to know whether it's tough or not, thank you.

Also worthwhile to hear about going at Brigstock and Pontispool as although she's better from her tendon issues, I'd still favour the better going if I can! Thanks all xxx
 
Your season seems to almost mirror L's planned once, except for March and May, as will start at Moreton and Aldon Novices. However, Portman is straightforward, quite big and if its cold and wet, its not nice. Dressage is miles away as well L fell off 3 from home on the large table jump xc, cracked her HS1 and we needed another Point 2 cannister, shook her up a treat, plus poor Bonnie knocked her knees badly. Going to have another crack at it next year. Bicton is big, technical and very hilly. Make sure you have a nice fit Tam to get around it. It will wear you out just walking it. L's mare got drug tested there last year - all clear, as we knew it would be.

Pontispool is lovely, one of our favourite events. A nice course, quite technical in places and not small, sj on a surface which our mare loves, but sj can cause problems and its up to height as well, and easy to get to for us down M5.

I presume you are in the same region as L for JRN's? A question then for you as I cant find the answer. Is Salperton in the SW's region JRN qualifier or not, or is it Bicton? I am aware that its Wilton, Nunney etc.

Same end ambition as well to get to Weston Park, plus poss a mid season CIC. YO has offered her the loan of top hat and tail, so who knows.
 
Portman is a nice event, not big and relatively straightforward, ground stands up well, just a real pain to get to. I take TeoryX's point about beig unpleasant in bad weather but, tbh, I have yet to find a March/April event that isn't a trial if the weather is bad ;)

Bicton: haven't been since it was reinstated but I've noticed and heard it has caused plenty of trouble - both big and technical so something to get your teeth into. Re Weston spring event - I have mixed feelings. The layout is completely different to the autumn 3 Day, although obv they use some of the same fences, and I wouldn't want you to be freaked out by seeing how many of the 1* fences are on the Intermedsite track :D So pros and cons of going in the spring...

Brigstock has lots of big ditches - just in case that's relevant. Chatsworth imposing and big event atmosphere but in recent years Novice track has actually caused few problems.

Barbury: T and noff did it this year. SJ small and a bit disappointing, XC walks big but rode fine, definitely one to target I'd say. Dressage is MILES away - those who are complaining about Portman, you should try Barbury! There is a shuttle bus but it doesn't run as often as it needs to and you get queues. It's considerably further than stables to showground at PC Champs, Izzie.

Pontispool tracks vary, but XC seldom too tricky. SJ always looks big IME so not necc the best place to do a first IN, but tbf it rides ok on the surface and I know you guys are strong at this phase anyway :)
 
Thanks everyone again! I am in the same region as you TX1 :) I think Salperton is Central, just on the border, and Bicton is ours. Then I think they're going to have to swap the u18(Q) from Stockland Lovell to another one this summer, like they did with Longleat to Hatherleigh this year.

TD thank you - haha about Barbury, I remember having PC Camp there one year and it was a nightmare because the place is so big!

Thanks for all your advice hope to see Theory's L and TD's T out and about lots next year :D xxx
 
Everything's miles apart at Chatsworth too - fine if you're on a horse but they do run shuttles for grooms/helpers. What Charlotte125 said about the track is right - big and bold but you will have a massive sense of achievement when you complete. The dressage is very low key but the SJing is in a proper grandstanded arena and feels pretty smart. Hopefully I should be there, either in the Nov or CIC*.
Everything else on your list is too far south for me!
 
Golden_Match_II said:
TX1 - we mocked a lad who lives near us and who's family keep racehorses with us when we saw him at Aldon in his top hat and tails, and they've offered us the loan of their set whenever we want it! Hahaha x
Click to expand...

Ah bless him. You never know! YO was not joking by the way - its the same one she wore when she rode 2* at Martinvast. However, I dont think you can wear them for the JRN finals though, if you and L are lucky enough to get there. Am relieved that JRNs dont seem to clash with PC Areas though this year.
 
Nunney international (where all our pc camps are held etc), from what i remember... usually very good going, would need to be fairly fit as some steep hills, id imagine they will make full use of jumping in and out of dark, probably a few sets of steps and id imagine will make good use of the river crossing in the woods.. and my guess would be it'd be fairly technical. Pontispool nov, very nice.. nothing unexpected *HOPEFULLY* see you at alot of these events!! :)
 
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