Shipton Moyne BE100 course

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GreyBadger

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Hi all,

Planning on taking my youngster to his first BE100 at Shipton Moyne, and would welcome any ideas on how the XC rides. In particular, what do they tend to have at the waters? He's still a little sticky (but no refusals at comps so far!) with the wet stuff; I'm going to take him out schooling lots over drops / jumps into water so by then hopefully won't be a problem.

Any insight welcome!

Cheers,
GB.
 
Have never been there as Mini TX was balloted out last year (see below). However, one of my friends on the yard did the BE100. I am really sorry about this, but she had a not too good an experience at the water complex. Apparently the water there was green! Her horse did not realise it was water and did not treat it as such and they had a very nasty fall with both of them ending up a bit broken. I would add that they are a fairly experienced combination as well.

Its up to you. From what I have heard I would probably not take a youngster there. Mini TX not doing it this year as last year I put on the entry form no day before dressage as its on a weekday and I cant get her out of school for two days. Sure enough it was day before dressage! When I called to ask if it could be changed I got the reply of 'Oh, I must think of my pros first and foremost and those who have to travel a long distance with several horses. I will ballot you out, and dont worry, she can just concentrate on her PC activities'. We didnt even get a refund and NO we aint going back.
 
The BE100 course at SM does have 2 waters, one of which comes very early on (no 5ish). It is a pallisade with a downhill approach (or I maybe wrong, it may only be the N that does this) but that has an alternative not facing the water. Then it's a decent step in, then a run out and a fairly non-skinny skinny. It does cause a bit of trouble - horses seem to find the water quite spooky, and the step is significant, they can't just, well, step off it :p Also, because the actual stretch of water isn't that wide you get the odd one absolutely launch off it, seemingly trying to jump all the way across - this may be what happened to TX's friend.

The second water usually rides very well. Overall, it's quite a twisty course as the site is quite compact, but it's beautifully built and very educational with a bit of everything including those lovely cotswold stone walls. The dressage arenas are quiet although the warm-up gets quite busy; the SJ is up to height, on a slight slope and reasonably technical and causes trouble - not carnage, just rolled poles. But the fact that so many pros do bring huge lorry loads of babies is testament to what a good event it is, and it usually ballots hundreds, literally, although this year may be different with Glanusk running just before and Barbury just after. Personally I really like the organising team and Ginnie Keen who does the entries is generally delightful, but everybody has different experiences! I've been balloted with a sticker before, too :(

So my view would be good educational event but if you are wondering whether to step up a youngster to PN and he's sticky with water, might be better to do the Intro there (they don't do the first water)...
 
Thanks for the insight... I note on the BE page for the event that:

"There will be a new option (bridge) at the first water complex."

So I presume that will be nicer than a big step in.

Do you know what kind of fences one gets at the second water? He's never refused at a comp, but always needs decent encouragement. Like I said, I have two schooling sessions planned between now and then where we can do and play with lots of water fences (one at a local yard and the other at Pontispool or Stockland Lovell), so we should be able to sort it out!
 
TableDancer said:
Personally I really like the organising team and Ginnie Keen who does the entries is generally delightful, but everybody has different experiences! I've been balloted with a sticker before, too :(
Click to expand...

I've put the stickers on for both horses I would like to take (baby + grownup), and have emailed some requests about days / times to Ginnie and had a nice email back.
 
I can't quite remember what PN has for 2nd water, it's definitely a run in not a step, I think preceded by a small fence, and a run out followed by ?? a log?? Sorry, I remember the N fence much better as it's a decent hanging log in landing directly in the water, although there is an alternative.
 
Great, thank you - run ins are just fine... He's got to get on and do it all anyway, so I think my entry shall stand (hope not balloted out!) - thanks for the comments.
 
I am also a fan of Shipton Moyne. The second water on the PN course last year was log stride, into water then log out. Course beautifully built but is compact & no big galloping stretches, so time usually tight. It was one of my favourite events last year.
 
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