Nurstead and Hambleden Novice tracks

[Saf]

Hi all

Does anyone know roughly what the tracks are like at both events, I have done the PN at both but never got a chance to see the novice courses

Thank you in advance
x

 

[H-J]

I like Nurstead it is my local ish event and I also looove Hambledon!

Ive done the PN at both and the Nov and Nurstead - if you have done the PN you should be fine as it shares the 1st half with the Novice, there is the steep steps then angled over 2 brush fences at the bottom but they are numbered seperately.

I think Hambledon is quite big and meaty from what ive seen, but looks like it rides well

 

[Bossanova]

Hambledon is small and easy bar the water which is absolutely horrid because you have to turn right into the crowd before hooking a sharp right and over a log then down a slope in. They all lose focus and it causes loads of stops. I wont do it until they get rid of that!

 

[nickyb]

both are lovely courses, wouldn't agree that hambleden is small though. nurstead has a few hills so you need a fit horse, they put a new off set pair of hedges at the bottom of the steps which needed very acurate riding, theres a corner to a log a bit further round, little log into water with a couple of skinnies coming out, one of my favorites and rides well.
hambleden yes the first water is tough, not the jump just where its positioned, you come off a bank and turn towards the crowd and a big marquee, there is an alternative so you can come past all of that and jump the log on its own then circle back to the water, there are 3 big steps down into a quarry, theres also a decent log into water with no alternative, so as log as you don't have a water issue you'll be fine. they really are very good events to get to, however they ballotted hard for the novice last year so a super ballott may be the way to go for this one.

 

[sw123]

I think Hambleden is a fabulous event, not necessarily small but straight forward and encourages you to ride well. I dont think the first water is that bad at all, yes its by the crowds and you have distractions but its a nice log that doesn't land in the water or a long route. If you sit on your bum and ride then its no prob at all!

The second water is a log in but rides nicely. We live a long way from there but go every year.

I even have my pic in their sponsorship brochure going into the water lol!!

http://www.thehambledenestate.com/EventDetail.asp?Event=3&menu=1