Stirlingshire Saddlery Training Event SNEC-anyone going?

[saz5083]

Is anyone doing the training event at the SNEC this weekend? Just wondering what the format is as have looked at the times and they seem to only be giving 3mins per horse? Oh, that and theres 84 in the intro!
Im taking my 6yo who's never done anything like it before so just wondering what I should expect? Im assuming from the times given its not a very long course!

 

[FigJam]

I've put in for one of the Arena Eventing lessons on the Saturday as I've never done it before. Should hear this evening if I've managed to get a spot or not, hope so! I posted off my entry for the Dabbs competition on 24th Jan, although am a little nervous now after seeing how many entries SNEC has!

Good luck on Sunday, I'm sure you'll do fine. At least you have a good idea of when you'll be jumping, unlike normal SJ classes! Should cut down the hanging around.

Will most likely pop down to SNEC on Sunday for a nosey and see what the actual competition set up is like, may even speak to my RC on Saturday and volunteer to lend a hand!

 

[saz5083]

Ah-ha, may need someone to pick me up off the floor!

At least I'll be done and back at the yard by lunchtime, very much doubt I'll need to hang around for the prize-giving

It will be good experience for him though, just hope he doesnt blow his top. I really didnt expect it to be that busy!

 

[FigJam]

I'm sure you won't! Will definitely be an experience for him with so many horses/people milling about, make BE stuff seem quiet?!

Have to admit, there's a lot more entries than I thought there would be, but I guess it's the first chance for Scottish eventers to get out and do something that's almost XC, so it is bound to be popular! It's a nice big arena at SNEC, so hopefully won't be too crowded for your youngster.

 

[Joss]

It is a round of show-jumping followed immediatly by a round of kind of XC style show jumps. All knockable, prob a water tray, a skinny & a corner. At the ones I have been to, you stop after the SJ round & they ring the bell again for you to start the next phase.

Advice: walk the course thoroughly, it looks like a lot of fences in 1 arena.

Dont hang around for results, could be hours & hours & no official prize giving, its a training event.

 

[saz5083]

So the XC bit is like a working hunter round then? That sounds ok. Will drag my water-tray out on Sat to refresh his memory but he's normally ok with things like that *touches wood frantically!*
Thanks for that, with 84 in the class its running for nearly 4hours so think I'll just be going home once Im done!!

 

[AnShanDan]

It's actually really difficult to make the time, esp. in the xc type round, Les sets it pretty tight!

So this favours the more experienced combinations and any ponies which can nip round more easily than big horses. So in the end it often comes down to time pens. anyway.

Good luck anyway.

 

[saz5083]

Oh dont worry I have NO illusions of being placed! Horsey is quite inexperienced and I havent evented in a while so we're taking it slow and just building his confidence. My aim is just to get round without any major problems

 

[jillianc]

hello, I'm going and also have no idea of whats going on. Also my horse gets stage fright in indoor arenas and has a hideous clip at the moment so not looking forward to it but we need the outing.

 

[saz5083]

Yay! Someone else who's going. Dont worry, we desperately need the outing too! Whats the worst that can happen eh?

 

[Noodlejaffa]

Hey, what time are you all on at? Sounds like we're all on about the same time!! Would be good to say hello.

They're brilliant fun. If you have any issues Les will help you through them. Usually about 9-10 jumps in the sj phase, then you wait for bell to ring and head on with the xc phase, usually about the same amount of jumps again. Skinnies, bounces, corners, water trays...lots of questions for you and your horse.

SNEC good as masses of space. Dabbs not so spacious and a lot of people with the bigger horses find it very tight. Still, it's all experience and nice to be out and about doing something vaguely BE related!

 

[saz5083]

Hey. Im on at 9.05 so please come and say hello! You'll be able to spot me, I'll be on the still slightly overweight coloured who may be bouncing around being a twit while I try to stop myself throwing up!
I like the whole space thing as steering is not our strong point! Looking forward to his first season BE so this is a step in the right direction

 

[Noodlejaffa]

I'm on three after you (9.13)! I'm the one on a very white horse with the flouncy canter who'll be sending poles flying!

 

[saz5083]

Well I will try and remember to say hello

Poles may be flying for me too so dont worry! And I will apologise now in case I hold you up by requiring lots of help in the ring!

 

[Noodlejaffa]

I love the way we all go into these things with such a positive attitude....!!

 

[saz5083]

Ah no, just being realistic......

 

[now_loves_mares]

Oohh - wish I was going! Shame both ponios are still lame though

I would come and watch if you weren't on so early! Have a rare night out on Saturday and we are staying in town, so will be lucky to be home and finished mucking out by then