Team Chasing...

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Sprat

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So on Saturday I was asked to fill in for a team member who had pulled out to go team chasing - I had never been before, thought it would be great fun, so I agreed.

So early hours of yesterday morning, I loaded the boy up in my friends lorry and off we went.

Tacked up with no issues, a bit jumpy when I got on but settled ok.

Then we got to the warm up area... Now my experience of warm up areas is quite polite (ha!) however clearly team chasing warm up areas are a totally different kettle of fish.

Tried to get Sprat trotting to loosen him up, I think we managed 3 or 4 strides before going into a fairly flat out canter with no breaks.

Eventually managed to get him to canter ok'ish with the team and popped a couple of jumps.

Cue the start box - we had bouncing, bucking, rearing and generally a lot of jiggling about. Then we set off (I was second) and christ almighty! no breaks. No breaks at all. We got over the first field of jumps with no control and little steering until I bottled it coming up to a rail and he took advantage and we had a run out. I shouted to the girls to carry on and I would catch up - however Sprat completely lost his head at this point as his mates had left him, I couldn't get him over this rail for love nor money so was eliminated.

Then proceeded to get back to the warm up area / finish line by cantering sideways up the field :lol:

My question is, does anyone have any advice on how to gain a little more control? I'm going to try and have another go on the 8th November.

My first change would be a slightly stronger bit (I took him in a snaffle, possibly my first mistake)

But anything else I could do? I think his main issue was wanting to be in front, however I fear if he is in front he may not be fast enough and possibly not brave enough?!

I am beginning to think I may be mad by entering another!!
 
Sorry to hear that. Was that Grafton? I was there, now I can't concentrate on work, just want to be team chasing every day!

Have you tried taking him to sponsored rides and/or hunter trials as practice so you can see how he is in groups of horses, and what bit works for those?

How is he generally in a group for fast work?

If I was you I'd focus on those first - the atmopshere at TCs is VERY exciting so sponsored rides and HTs are a nice practice I reckon, if the horse is very hot. could you do one or two before 8th Nov? Is that for Bicester?
 
Morgan123 said:
Sorry to hear that. Was that Grafton? I was there, now I can't concentrate on work, just want to be team chasing every day!

Have you tried taking him to sponsored rides and/or hunter trials as practice so you can see how he is in groups of horses, and what bit works for those?

How is he generally in a group for fast work?

If I was you I'd focus on those first - the atmopshere at TCs is VERY exciting so sponsored rides and HTs are a nice practice I reckon, if the horse is very hot. could you do one or two before 8th Nov? Is that for Bicester?
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Yes it was Grafton!

How did you get on?

I have never taken him to hunter trials or sponsored rides, I'm not sure that there are many on around me in the next few weeks.

My plan was to get a group of people out for a hack with me and practice some fast work and see how he responds?

I have done a couple of ODE's with him (and have one coming up before the next TC) so hopefully that will help get him more used to being at a party.

Yes the one on the 8th is at Bicester, have you ridden it before?
 
I haven't team chased since I was a teenager many, many moons ago! It was a fairly nerve wracking experience as I rode in a team of gung ho boys who didn't know the meaning of steady! I usually tried to go at the back as my horse was rather wild at times but would jump anything in front of him. Then one time one of the team was eliminated and the other two had a slight mishap, a horse pecked on landing and the rider somersaulted on to his feet and was running along side his horse, the other rider grabbed him by his collar and hauled him back on - both horses still cantering!! This left me in front and surprise, surprise my horse settled, stopped pulling and gave me a super ride. After that putting him in front worked a treat, he was still an idiot at the start but once going was great. Not maybe the most useful answer but it may partly be a question of finding his preferred position in the team.
 
You really need to get together with your team mates - either hire a Xc course or even just use a field with a few XC jumps in and practice riding together to establish where your horse is happiest and also how far apart you need to be. If he is steady into a fence you can ride quite close together and many horses settle well like this, but if he accelerates you need to give yourselves a bit more room. You can also practice turning and your lines between the fences - no need to worry too much about speed at this stage, but a lot of the fences ride best on a curving line, from a forward rhythmic canter.
The Bicester is very similar to the Grafton course, couple of proper hedges which are not huge and ride really well. There are a couple of water crossings too.
 
Sprat said:
Cue the start box - we had bouncing, bucking, rearing and generally a lot of jiggling about. Then we set off (I was second) and christ almighty! no breaks. No breaks at all.
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I'm so sorry but this has just made me laugh out loud! I'm probably finding it funny becuase A) Its happened to me before and B) I can picture it.

I went to the Grafton last yesr (coudn't make it this year) but will be in a team at the Bicester on the 8th. Not really sure is a good suggestion, but its something I'd do (people may dissagree) but have you ever taking him hunting? I'm thinking getting him out on the hunting field will get him used to being round other horses and running within a group? Plus there is a fair bit of jumping, so good practis there (all fences optional). If you can cope with his 'messing around' at the start he may settle espeacilly when he's galloped a few miles across some fields. Not sure where you're based but if you near our local draghounds have thier opening meet the week before the Bicester TC - might help settle him a bit......... or not. ;-)

Failing that - what everyone else has said, group hacks/xc/sponcered rides.
 
Mot sure what to suggest that hasn't already been posted, but If it's any help, the Bicester novice course has less 'stand alone fences' then the grafton, ie theres more situated in the hedge line so hopefully less chance of a run out! Good luck!
 
Argh, v jealous - would love to go team chasing!

If you have a keen one, I find two things help:
- remember not to hold onto them, even when they're sodding off with you. Check and release, check and release!
- When I have to ride mine behind something else, e.g. hunting, I set myself a 'point of no return' - the point at which you decide to either turn away or jump it. I try to steady him before the fence, but about 4 strides out switch to going with him; much less chance of run out, stop, or dodgy jump.
 
ironhorse said:
You really need to get together with your team mates - either hire a Xc course or even just use a field with a few XC jumps in and practice riding together to establish where your horse is happiest and also how far apart you need to be. If he is steady into a fence you can ride quite close together and many horses settle well like this, but if he accelerates you need to give yourselves a bit more room. You can also practice turning and your lines between the fences - no need to worry too much about speed at this stage, but a lot of the fences ride best on a curving line, from a forward rhythmic canter.
The Bicester is very similar to the Grafton course, couple of proper hedges which are not huge and ride really well. There are a couple of water crossings too.
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Most definitely this ^ XC schooling with all/some of the team is the best way to go about it :)
 
Thanks for all of the responses - I think it is going to be a case of practice makes perfect. Best go and find my brave pants (and hip flask) for the next one!!
 
A team chasing friend of mine has exactly the same issues with her super bold/strong TB - she takes him in a Kineton noseband - only works when/if you take a pull, but is very effective when you do.
 
Sprat said:
Thanks for all of the responses - I think it is going to be a case of practice makes perfect. Best go and find my brave pants (and hip flask) for the next one!!
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Is he a careful jumper?
If he is put the brave pants on, leave to him alone & go for it.
One of my best ever rounds was at the Bicester in the Open class, it's a lovely course with some fairly meaty hedges.
The high you get after going clear around a big course is worth the terror you feel waiting to start, I still remember having our start delayed at the Heythrop because they'd run out of ambulances!
 
She's already said she has no steering and brakes at novice so I doubt putting him in an open is going to help things?!

OP - if it was me, I'd do some sponsored rides, pairs hunter trials (not sure where you are but if you're local to Grafton and Bicetser - Swalcliffe have a 80/90cm hunter trial this Sunday with pairs option, as do Elmwood on Saturday) and/or team training in a group so you can get used to what he does in a group and can bit him appropriately and work out how to steer him if possible! Good luck and have a brilliant time!
 
Morgan123 said:
She's already said she has no steering and brakes at novice so I doubt putting him in an open is going to help things?!
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It depends if the horse is bold or not, sometimes bigger fences back them off a bit and you actually get more control back. However, if OP's horse is prone to losing confidence last-moment, it's not something I'd go for.
 
He has a lovely jump on him, but not overly bold - very much takes confidence from the rider.

Which I'm not sure I could give going over an open course!
 
I'm sure an alternative bitting option would help a lot, what sort of snaffle is he in and where is his head while towing you about!?
 
ester said:
I'm sure an alternative bitting option would help a lot, what sort of snaffle is he in and where is his head while towing you about!?
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He's currently in a NS Loose ring tranz-angled lozenge. He schools beautifully in it :lol:

Head carriage was about average really, not dragging to the floor but also not giraffe like.

I used to jump him in a gag which gave me more control but it's action caused him to tuck his head to his chest which wasn't what I wanted, I don't think he was very happy in it, hence the change.

I have also tried him in a waterford which he hated.

EDIT to say: when he tows me about, he sets his (very large!) neck against me which also doesn't help!
 
When you used the gag with chest tucking did you use a curb strap with it? I was thinking you could poss try the universal version of your NS?

My lad although will go in anything will head tuck in a gag with no curb, doesn't really head tuck in a pelham but can fix on it and be a bit strong still so I find a gag with a curb strap works ok for us for hunting and alike.

A kineton might also be one to try as per an above post.
 
Swalcliffe have a 80/90cm hunter trial this Sunday with pairs option, as do Elmwood on Saturday if those are an option to practice and play with bits??
 
What sort of gag have you jumped him in? English might be a good shout? Find a hunter trials this weekend and do the pairs. Which course is it on the 8th? You want ground with good old turf and established hedge lines - they can't run out at those, have the Cotswold had theirs yet, that's usually a decent course?

Teamchasing is really fun, but you need some control otherwise it is quite dangerous, especially as the courses seem to be a lot more wooden than they used to. Also - learn from my mistakes, hip flasks before start box mean that no magical medicine is available if you fall off and have a boo-boo.
 
Could do the pairs at Swalcluff if you are wanting to do something like that to help.?

There's Cirencester fun ride November 8th
 
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