ernikins
Well-Known Member
Has anyone been before? I am thinking about it being my first Intro - can anyone tell me what it's like and whether it will be suitable for or first BE outing??
Stratford Hills BE
- Thread starter H-J
- Start date
H-J
Well-Known Member
I looove Stratford Hills as its only an hour from me!!!
But sadly the ground is quite bad, it is run in June and is always rock hard.
Dont know why it isnt an earlier event as ive schooled there in Nov, Dec and Jan and the ground was perfect!
As far as the course goes, they are quite nice courses but it is quite hilly and you usuallly have to go up the steep hill to get back to the finish, has a drop, steps, roll tops, ditch and rail and water, water is very open
Dont know why it isnt an earlier event as ive schooled there in Nov, Dec and Jan and the ground was perfect!
As far as the course goes, they are quite nice courses but it is quite hilly and you usuallly have to go up the steep hill to get back to the finish, has a drop, steps, roll tops, ditch and rail and water, water is very open
sammiea
Well-Known Member
I'm about an hour from there. I dont do BE but have done a unaff ODE there and really liked it.
Some pics from the ODE
Fences were small (only our 1st ODE back in 2005) one word describes Stratford Hills, clue is in the name!!! HILLY but i think thats great for xc
Some pics from the ODE
Fences were small (only our 1st ODE back in 2005) one word describes Stratford Hills, clue is in the name!!! HILLY but i think thats great for xc
mrussell
Well-Known Member
I would recommend Lt Downham as a first Intro, or Gt Witchingham. Stratford BE is usually well up to height and the water crossing isnt very inviting (in my opinion). You can go and look at past classes on bdwp.co.uk to see how many starters finished (or had stops) if that helps you make any decisions.
Its also on clay so if your horse has any feet issues, you might want to consider the weather nearer to the time as it bakes to a hard crust !
Not sure if there are course photos on eventingwordwide.com or eventriders.co.uk but worth a look !
Its also on clay so if your horse has any feet issues, you might want to consider the weather nearer to the time as it bakes to a hard crust !
Not sure if there are course photos on eventingwordwide.com or eventriders.co.uk but worth a look !
mrussell
Well-Known Member
I agree, its a good course to hire before and after the season but always suffers with its normal summer BE diary slot.... I wonder why Sir Aldous doesnt put his foot down and get it changed !
H-J
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I agree, its a good course to hire before and after the season but always suffers with its normal summer BE diary slot.... I wonder why Sir Aldous doesnt put his foot down and get it changed !
[/ QUOTE ]
Dont know but I wish he would! I would attending without a doubt every year if it was at a different time i.e. start or end of season
I agree, its a good course to hire before and after the season but always suffers with its normal summer BE diary slot.... I wonder why Sir Aldous doesnt put his foot down and get it changed !
[/ QUOTE ]
Dont know but I wish he would! I would attending without a doubt every year if it was at a different time i.e. start or end of season
Jericho
Well-Known Member
Colne Valley RC are having a Clear round xc Day there this Sat (5th April) 10-3pm. YO said the ground is perfect at the moment (but apparently there are olny have 14 or so jumps out plus water & steps). Fences have 2ft, 2ft 6-9, 3ft options so he told me. Maybe worth a trip over to have an amble round......if the wintry showers hold off!!
Rachael_jack
Well-Known Member
Yep thats definatley a good one to do first! I Would say witchingham is definatley up to height more than S. Hills!
I did my first one there i think.. its great for that. Not up to height in my opinion. But to be honest there wont be much in it..
I went xc school there today.. they have already started to airovate the ground. which is good
Good luck! Might see you there?
I did my first one there i think.. its great for that. Not up to height in my opinion. But to be honest there wont be much in it..
I went xc school there today.. they have already started to airovate the ground. which is good
Good luck! Might see you there?
DidiR
Well-Known Member
There will prob be a PC or unaff HT/ODE there before June.. so you could go and look, or enter that first.
ernikins
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all your replies - I think we are going to see if we can go over there for a XC School at some point. I think we will give it a go, I have a few unaff ODE's planned beforehand so we won't be going without a few confidence runs before hand! Thank you all - and maybe see some of you there!!