smiths lawn

I'm going - PN on Tuesday.

Have also never been before so I don't know what it is like. Assume it is going to be a nightmare to actually get there! M25 on a Tuesday morning - not appealing!! (probably better than M25 on a Monday morning though...)
 
Expect I will be there about 3 hours before I actually do anything (having allowed about 5 hours to get there from Northampton)!

Better than missing my dressage time though.

Thankfully my times don't look too bad.
 
You will need plenty of time to walk the xc course. Its all in woods etc, which is great but difficult in that a lot of it is like single track so you really have to have your wits about you walking the course.
From the lorry park the xc takes a good 10-15 minutes to walk to.

Its quite spread out, although sjing is right next to lorry park.

I always get myself into a bit of a pickle finding the damn place too lol
 
I would advise taking a bike to get from the lorrys to the XC start, walk the course and get the bike back. It is a long way. I would say more like 20 mins on a hot day.
 
LOL youre right Thistle, i guess I was underestimating and thinking of when i was riding the horse rather than walking.
Its horrid on a hot day, remember doing it in 2002 it was the hottest most humid day of the year! totally energy draining.

Good event tho
 
I'm looking forward to it but have been struggling to get hold of the organiser, both phones given on bdwp don't work and she hasn't replied to any emails. I'm supposed to be stabling but have had no confirmation yet...
 
Turns out I was being dumb about the phones-my Mum was on the line so it kept beeping at me. If I had a brain I'd be dangerous! I will leave a message for Tissie and see what the situation is. Thanks!
 
This will be the 1st year in a while (it feels like that anyway!) that I havent competed at Smiths Lawn as didnt have anything to compete there! I loved it my 1st year and 2nd it was baking hot and lovely surroundings, although energy zapping!
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But last year it was horrid as it had rained and rained all day and that sandy stuff you park on got everywhere, it was in the few months we didnt have a lorry and had a trailer, we wasnt that well organised and everything got soaked!!
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Hope to be back there nxt year good luck everyone
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Im there on monday and tuesday as I have day before dressage, really looking forward to it.
Slightly concerned about the water ! might go over on sunday to walk.
 
At the PC Open (Novice BE course) a few weeks ago there were two waters.

The first was a step into the big lake (Virginia Water) and then run along the lake and two steps out. The water was very deep (far deeper than BE would allow) it came up our 14.2's sides and daughters short boots were wet inside. It is much drier now so should be ok, BE are strict about water depths too.

The second water is a rolltop into a pond step out 1 stride then rail and 6 0r seven strides to a rolltop and then finish.
 
Cheers Thistle. Im only doing the PN so hopefully it wont be quite as scary sounding as the one in the Novice !
Who is there on Tuesday ? or late on Monday !
Met hattkins at Mattingley and its nice to see someone you "know of" but dont "know" Its also nice to support someone else throughout the day !
 
I'm there on Monday. Got nice early times with no time to walk the course.
I reckon it will take me 2 hours in my lorry. Plus 1 hour to walk the course, plus 3/4 hour to get number/tackup/warm up. So I will be leaveing at.... 5.45

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Rosie is taking the bay and the grey (Just a Token and Lotus Eater) on Monday for the novice. They're facing a scary M25 trip early on Monday
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I'm there on Tues.. would you 'Smith Lawns old pros' say it was a good first time PN track?? [/quo

it is usually up to height but not very technical, good luck
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I like Smiths Lawn alot, it is a really good event, the XC is twisty and turny, and you go from dark to light alot, also people are right about the water, the one where you jump into the side of a lake is particularly deep and daunting, but it is fine, if you hug the bank, and not the white railing preventing you floating away!!! It is an up to height, but very fair course. But its always boiling there, with no real shade!!! And yes the walk to XC is a killer. Also year before last we had polo going on whilst my employer was trying to warm up a very excitable horse...needless to say the test was "memorable!!" Good Luck!
 
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