ODE guide for me?!

FreyaB

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Hi everyone,
I'm taking my boy to an ODE next weekend and since it will be my first one ever I was wondering whether someone could explain the way it runs etc and the rules? Also maybe give me you 'must haves' for ODE's/Eventing! :) thanks

Chocolate buttons and apple juice for all - I'm currently babysitting!
 

Lolo

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Is your hat tagged?

Remember to leave about an hour for walking the XC course. It never takes that long, until you don't have that long!

When you get there, go to collect your number from the secretary, and take your hat(s, if you use more than one!) down as well so they can be checked, to make sure it's up to standard.

If you're a PC member, you'll need a spurs card off your DC to wear them, or your B test. If you're not, do what you like.

Remember that only plain numnahs with matching binding are allowed, even for XC.

You'll get given your times about 3 days before the event, and you can plan around that. Make sure you know what you need for each phase, and have it ready. Your horse might be easy, like ours, and only need a martingale and boots adding for the jumping, or might require different bits and things. Make sure it's all in the right place so there's no manic running around!

Enjoy it. PC people are generally lovely- if you get in a muddle or forget something, ask the organisor, or people in the surrounding boxes and they'll help you. Everyone's done the 'Aghh first ODE!" thing, so will be very happy to point you in the right direction.
 

Charmin

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The cross country course may be available to walk the night before if you're close enough, which will save time. If not you're going to have to leave an hour at some point to have a quick run around it.

Times should be up on the website a few days before, check the schedule for how you find your times out. First of all work out your start time, if your dressage time is something like 10:38, round down to the nearest 5. Work out how much time you need to warm in for dressage, then add half an hour onto that for tacking up, collecting number etc (this can be done in 10 minutes if needs be but allows for a more relaxed experience!). You have to collect your bib from secretary and take your hat if it's not PC tagged for it to be checked. Sometimes there's a deposit to be put down on bibs, take this with you to the secretary and you'll get it back when you return your bib. Also you may need a couple of pounds for a first aid contribution. Check the schedule for these.

Then tack up, head over to dressage. Remember your number, snaffle bit, no martingale, boots, bit biscuits. Also spurs permission card if you wear them, unless you hold the B test (I think). Say hi to your section steward, ask how many in front. Get your tack checked by the tack checker (they will have bibs on and be quite obvious, don't be scared to go up and ask to have your tack checked).

Keep an eye on the time, and people in before you. Also ask what your arena's started is, whether it's a horn or a bell, what colour car etc.

Ride a fabulous test and knock their socks off :D

Then head back to the box. Dependant on how much time you have, untack, brush down. Offer water and hay. Maybe have a glance over the SJing course to see how it's riding, or to learn the course if you haven't already. There may be a slot to walk it between SJing and dressage which is always brilliant. If not don't worry too much, just watch how it rides.

Then SJing, toddle over to warm up. Go to the steward and see if it's number order or name on board, then put your number down or see how they're doing for time. Depends on your horse but I pop 2 or 3 jumps at a maximum, it can get pretty hectic in there so it's helpful to have someone on the ground (typical PC pushy mums, it has to be said!). Don't be the annoying one and whack the jumps up waaay higher than they are in the class! :p

Have a nice clear round (after the bell!) and then back to box. Offer water, hay etc. Boot up, maybe change studs or whatever. Get changed yourself, have a drink etc. Then down to cross country :D

Make sure you're carrying your spurs card, have your body protector on and medical armband. See if it's number order or names on a board. Get your tack checked, then warm up. Have a nice open canter down one side if it's clear to get their blood pumping. Maybe pop a few of the warm ups from an angle if there's any angled fences on course.

You'll be called over so keep your ears open. Then you walk through the box or can stand in it. I prefer to walk through. I aim to be entering the box on the countdown from 10 at around 3 to get a smooth walk to canter transition and straight out as mine can be nappy, but if you're happy doing it from halt and waiting in the box that's fine too. Do not leave the box before 0 as you can be eliminated!

My advice is ride very strongly at the first few fences - this is usually up until about fence 7 for me and then you hit a nice stride.

Scores will be on a board near the secretary's office and will be updated throughout the day. My personal preference is not to check until the end so I don't feel any pressure XC or SJing, however commentators sometimes announce your dressage score.

The warm down from XC is important, walk your horse until it stops blowing and then offer water, wash down etc.

Most importantly have fun! ODE's are brilliant and you'll have a brilliant time. Also take lots of pictures so you can do a report!

Phew that's quite an essay, if you have any more questions just ask :p
 

FreyaB

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Thank you both! Can I wear a navy jacket for Dressage and SJ then change in rugby shirt for XC? Also will a Numnah with white binding work (it's navy) or will we have to go shopping? I'll keep all this copied and pasted on my phone for the day! :p
 

Lolo

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Depends how strict the PC are, but generally that won't be allowed- it wasn't at ours, despite us being pretty chilled, simply because the rulebook says no.

Yes to the navy jacket, with either a stock or tie.

The general rule with PC is that if it's not absolutely plain, you're probably not allowed it (XC top/ hat aside)!
 

Charmin

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For dressage it's strictly white numnahs only, no logos or names.

SJing and dressage I used to go in a grey numnah with a gold binding and was never told off, but seems it differs area to area as this is different to Lolo's experiences!
 

Lolo

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I don't know if they're cracking down then this year, but we've not seen anyone allowed to go with a multi-coloured numnah...

It does depend on the PC- I know tinap's branch couldn't care less as long as you'e clean, whereas I've had a whip taken off me as it was bottle green and black striped!
 

FreyaB

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Ah, okay! I might see if a friend will let me borrow her white Numnah? I have hunter trialled in it? But obviously it's a different event. Okay so my navy jacket and pc tie with cream jods and boots - I don't wear spurs so that's not a problem and will get my hats tagged! :) anything else I've forgotten? ;)!
 

Charmin

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Yes you won't be allowed to dressage in a non-white numnah. You can then wear this for SJing, and they should allow your different coloured binding numnah cross country.

Oh and they can be a bit weird about martingale stoppers on reins in dressage so if you have a pair of reins without them it's simpler...

Lolo - taken your whip off you for stripes?! :eek: I have a stripey whip and have never even thought of it, never had issues either! That's mad! Was it your DC or someone elses?

It might be worth contacting your secretary or DC and getting your hat tagged before the day, might make things a little smoother. Chaps with your boots if they're short ones. Oh and plait your horse! Nearly everyone does :)
 

FreyaB

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Yes you won't be allowed to dressage in a non-white numnah. You can then wear this for SJing, and they should allow your different coloured binding numnah cross country.

Oh and they can be a bit weird about martingale stoppers on reins in dressage so if you have a pair of reins without them it's simpler...

Lolo - taken your whip off you for stripes?! :eek: I have a stripey whip and have never even thought of it, never had issues either! That's mad! Was it your DC or someone elses?

It might be worth contacting your secretary or DC and getting your hat tagged before the day, might make things a little smoother. Chaps with your boots if they're short ones. Oh and plait your horse! Nearly everyone does :)

Oh dear, will have to find one then! I don't have a pair without them, I'll see if have an old pair to take them off and use them instead? I know the secretary so I'll ask her to tag my hat this week! Turnout is the one thing I'm not worried about, he's so shiny and fit at the minute, all I'll do is bath then pair the night before and we'll be away
 

Lolo

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Yes you won't be allowed to dressage in a non-white numnah. You can then wear this for SJing, and they should allow your different coloured binding numnah cross country.

Oh and they can be a bit weird about martingale stoppers on reins in dressage so if you have a pair of reins without them it's simpler...

Lolo - taken your whip off you for stripes?! :eek: I have a stripey whip and have never even thought of it, never had issues either! That's mad! Was it your DC or someone elses?

It might be worth contacting your secretary or DC and getting your hat tagged before the day, might make things a little smoother. Chaps with your boots if they're short ones. Oh and plait your horse! Nearly everyone does :)

Not mine, my PC (and DC) is lovely (although strict on the numnah thing)!

You will need plain white for dressage, although I think you can use plain dark brown/ black/ navy as well and it's fine.

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This is the rulebook for 2013... You can download it for free, and it's handy to look at and understand.

If you check in with your arena steward before you begin your warm up, they'll be very grateful and also be able to point out any potential issues with lots of time to spare!
 

TGM

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For dressage it's strictly white numnahs only, no logos or names.
!

The PC Eventing rulebook actually states:


) Dressage only
i) Numnahs, saddlecloths or pads – only white, cream, navy blue, brown or black are permitted, with no logo. White saddle cloths only may carry a Branch logo no bigger than 200 sq. cms. See also Rule 25. This does not preclude the wearing of clothing for horses or riders that has been presented by sponsors of the Championships in the current or previous years.
 

Charmin

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Ooo I never actually knew that. Mind you I only ever wear white, never seen anyone else where other colours but if you have one of them then go for it! Learn something knew everyday!

Wish I'd known it before I invested in a new white one for the pony, plus they're a nightmare to keep clean!
 
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