ODE/XC/BE prep - hard ground!

[WarmbloodX]

how is everyone prepping fitness wise for ODE/BE type event with the ground being so solid? the school i have access to is tiny and our hacking is poor - all road work.
i'm starting to think that my first time XC will be at my first BE event. contemplating starting to do a rain dance every evening

ive been cantering on the field in sets for 8 mins (after 20 min warmup) comprised of
1 x 1min each way rest
1 x 2 min each way,

but no jumping and only in a very very steady gear because it is so hard! fyi my horse can power march around a 12mile hack EASILY so i know his base fitness is good.

 

[Roxylola]

Largely same as you, I'll do a bit places where take off and landing is surfaced but I'm trying to be very minimal

 

[WarmbloodX]

Largely same as you, I'll do a bit places where take off and landing is surfaced but I'm trying to be very minimal

my boy is 18 and he naturally stays fit however im a worrier! and starting to worry

 

[LEC]

Giving up after this weekend. No point running nice horses on this ground even when events try hard. If mine was a 16hh TB I might consider otherwise but it’s a giant dumblood with a big jump and step so I don’t want to punish her for things she cannot help so she will go SJing and dressage. The 6yo is a bit lighter on her feet and needs some mileage so I have one entered at end of May but will be hoping for rain but she will also go Sjing.

 

[WarmbloodX]

Giving up after this weekend. No point running nice horses on this ground even when events try hard. If mine was a 16hh TB I might consider otherwise but it’s a giant dumblood with a big jump and step so I don’t want to punish her for things she cannot help so she will go SJing and dressage. The 6yo is a bit lighter on her feet and needs some mileage so I have one entered at end of May but will be hoping for rain but she will also go Sjing.

i'm entered in a 90 last weekend of may, praying it rains before then , if not rained by ballot i may withdraw

 

[racebuddy]

I went out on monday to Somerford horse very fresh but the ground just disnt have any give , hes fit ready to go now but going to hold off now , at home school
/ canter fitness twice a week / hack and 1 long rein session and treadmill every 2/3 weeks

 

[Michen]

Giving up after this weekend. No point running nice horses on this ground even when events try hard. If mine was a 16hh TB I might consider otherwise but it’s a giant dumblood with a big jump and step so I don’t want to punish her for things she cannot help so she will go SJing and dressage. The 6yo is a bit lighter on her feet and needs some mileage so I have one entered at end of May but will be hoping for rain but she will also go Sjing.

Yep I agree. Don’t care how well it’s been prepped, it hasn’t rained for a month, nothing is going to make the ground all that “good” at the moment unless the venue is blessed with spongy old turf or whatnot.

My horses aren’t even trotting or cantering out hacking at the moment. It’s not worth the risk for 4 and a half minutes of XC.