Willowconnie
New User
Going to be starting my eventing career on Saturday! Have spent a fortune on gear and now realised I need a watch. Any suggestions for alternatives to the rather pricey optimum time watches? Thank you
Optimum time watch alternative?
- Thread starter Willowconnie
- Start date
Roxylola
Well-Known Member
Well, you don't need a watch for your first event. But I'd save up for an optimum time, you need something easy to see at a glance, I think I'd do without rather than have something that's not great
RachelFerd
Well-Known Member
Afaik there is no sensible alternative with large enough numbers. But also, as Roxylola says, really not an essential for your first few events where you'll be better riding through feel rather than chasing a clock.
welshstar
Well-Known Member
Look out for one second hand on fb marketplace, I got mine virtually new for £40
LEC
Opinions are like bum holes, everyone has one.
I got mine 2nd hand but tbh I am useless with a watch as just ride on what I have. Usually that’s too slow but I did manage to get speedy faults last year which is unheard of.
EventingMum
Well-Known Member
Honestly, at the lower levels, I wouldn't worry about a watch. You'll soon develop a feel for the speed needed and working out minute markers etc is a lot extra to think about at your first few events. TBH we only used them at 3 day events but that was back in the day where we had to wheel the course to measure it etc and at 3DEs you were walking the course a minimum of 3 times, often more.
Roxylola
Well-Known Member
I've found mine handy for training more than competing. I do use it competing but only in a general - here is about half way am I about half counted down? sense. That said I'm competing a (lovely) cob and times are a stretch for us even at grassroots. My first 2 or 3 I didn't it's only as we've got better and have a small hope of being competitive I'll take any advantage possible for him
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
Personally I only ever used a watch at a certain level, never do at the lower levels (up to and including novice). I find for BE, you'd have to have a super speedy horse to get within the time so I just go as fast as I can.