Training for a BE newbie?

[HS6]

Hi all,
After many years of dreaming I may finally be in the position to affiliate BE this year.

I am still in the hacking stage of bringing my horse back from his winter break (am yet to even clip him!) so it's very early days, but it's nice to think it may be a dream I can realise this year as I have a horse I am really enjoying riding. The stars never aligned in my teenage years (poorly timed horse injuries, poorly matched horses, education commitments etc) for me to affiliate but it would be great to at least have one BE90 to my name by the end of the year!

I've been out of the competition world for a few years, but my peers have always taken part in BE training which was something I was keen to do before actually competing. However I had a tentative look on the BE website and was dismayed to see that there didn't appear to be a shred of training near me (Gloucestershire, so pretty much in the hub of the sport!) for anyone over the age of 21. Never have I felt so old being 23 years old!

Is this just reflective of the time of year, or is this going to be the case for all BE training? Again, having not had a horse and being out of the competition world for a few years I wouldn't even know where else to start to look for local training where I wouldn't feel out of place being a bit rusty XC and having not ridden a test in a couple of years.

Sincerely, an 'old' 23 year old

 

[Red-1]

I only ever did BE training twice I think when I was doing BE. I did a stack more with my Riding Club. I would have a look at a Riding club, if you are not already a member. They will likely have training already happening, plus a fun camp in summer.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I’ve never done any BE training. I go to SJ and XC venues to book into lessons/clinics and I do camps. Choose an event and go for it!

 

[LEC]

Hi all,
After many years of dreaming I may finally be in the position to affiliate BE this year.

I am still in the hacking stage of bringing my horse back from his winter break (am yet to even clip him!) so it's very early days, but it's nice to think it may be a dream I can realise this year as I have a horse I am really enjoying riding. The stars never aligned in my teenage years (poorly timed horse injuries, poorly matched horses, education commitments etc) for me to affiliate but it would be great to at least have one BE90 to my name by the end of the year!

I've been out of the competition world for a few years, but my peers have always taken part in BE training which was something I was keen to do before actually competing. However I had a tentative look on the BE website and was dismayed to see that there didn't appear to be a shred of training near me (Gloucestershire, so pretty much in the hub of the sport!) for anyone over the age of 21. Never have I felt so old being 23 years old!

Is this just reflective of the time of year, or is this going to be the case for all BE training? Again, having not had a horse and being out of the competition world for a few years I wouldn't even know where else to start to look for local training where I wouldn't feel out of place being a bit rusty XC and having not ridden a test in a couple of years.

Sincerely, an 'old' 23 year old

There is loads coming up under Howden way - look under Howden on horse monkey. It’s only been launched a few weeks. Katie Williams is running stuff at Unicorn. The SW had just one training session and it sold out in 4 hours with Cameron and Jo Rimmer.
I am running a camp in March at Mount Ballen which is designed for competitive riders. Have some great trainers who all coach BE.
There is plenty about - if I like a trainer I usually get on their mailing lists.

 

[millitiger]

Most people train through riding clubs or privately to be honest!
Check out the Howden Way on BE, there should be some in easy reach.
Otherwise would really recommend you find a good, local, riding club to join.

 

[ycbm]

BE is not special. It's a basic prelim dressage, some 80cm show jumps and an 80cm cross country. The only "special" bit is that you do all the on the same day.

Stop over thinking it, just have fun ?
.

 

[mini_b]

BE is not special. It's a basic prelimm dressage, some 80cm show jumps and an 80cm cross country. The only "special" bit is that you do all the on the same day.

Stop over thinking it, just have fun ?
.

this ^

if you don’t want your result on record but want to compete at a BE venue (which you can unaffiliated in most places now anyway) then you can join as a “Go BE” member

you don’t need to go to specific training. Start working on some test riding and a bit of SJ with your trainer then go do some XC when it’s a bit drier.
Don’t over think it!

It’s not the riding that stresses me out it’s the packing the vehicle, driving and the logistics of it all on one day ?

 

[Magnetic Sparrow]

There's some free stuff online here https://www.lucindagreenxcacademy.com that might help?

 

[HS6]

I’ve never done any BE training. I go to SJ and XC venues to book into lessons/clinics and I do camps. Choose an event and go for it!

Thank you! How do you go about finding clinics and lessons near you?

 

[HS6]

this ^

if you don’t want your result on record but want to compete at a BE venue (which you can unaffiliated in most places now anyway) then you can join as a “Go BE” member

you don’t need to go to specific training. Start working on some test riding and a bit of SJ with your trainer then go do some XC when it’s a bit drier.
Don’t over think it!

It’s not the riding that stresses me out it’s the packing the vehicle, driving and the logistics of it all on one day ?

I think that'd actually part of the stress for me- I've gone to plenty of events with friends so I know roughly what to expect but have never done any of it myself. Silly things like entering in time, getting my number on the day and where to go for everything already seem pretty intimidating! Timings as well- when to arrive, how long to give myself to course walk (as someone who chronically forgets my way halfway around SJ courses), warm up etc. As a newbie the riding seems like the easy part!

 

[HS6]

BE is not special. It's a basic prelim dressage, some 80cm show jumps and an 80cm cross country. The only "special" bit is that you do all the on the same day.

Stop over thinking it, just have fun ?
.

Thank you. I need to keep telling myself that! Although it all does seem so intimidating. It's silly things that worry me- I see people doing grassroots with 40k lorries, sponsored equipment and dressage and jump saddles at 3k a piece. I realise none of it really matters and no one is there to judge you (I know everyone will be much to focused on their own riding to bother with the vehicle or saddle someone else has!) but I can't help but feel that showing up in a trailer and doing dressage in a cheap jump saddle is adding to this feeling I have of not belonging 'in the club'.

It's also part of the reason I feel so put out by the lack of training available- it's almost like someone was whispering in my ear as I looked at all the u21 BE training 'you don't belong here, if you did you'd have started early enough to have already done all this training'.

I know I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, but I think this is what comes from growing up going to events with my peers but always being the only one who wasn't competing. Those peers are now stepping up and getting established at Novice/Intermediate and I'm only just thinking about starting the journey...

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Thank you! How do you go about finding clinics and lessons near you?

Various different ways:
1) I follow the Facebook pages of local trainers so I can see when clinics are on. If you don’t know any put a recommendations request post on FB asking who teaches in your area. Make it clear you want lessons on your own horse at SJ or XC venues, not recommended riding schools.
2) I follow the pages of local venues. I’m spoilt for choice as I have Eland Lodge, Kelsall Hill, Dean Valley, Weston Lawns and many more nearby. Again they advertise their events, clinics etc
3) There are a few venues who don’t use FB so every so often I go into their website and look at what’s on.
4) I follow British Eventing and they advertise Howden Way events. Or you can find them on the BE website.

 

[VRIN]

Not sure exactly where you are based but Nigel Taylor is probably worth a look - you can stay over and do a couple of days if you wanted to. He will do sj and XC. he's very confidence giving

 

[mini_b]

I think that'd actually part of the stress for me- I've gone to plenty of events with friends so I know roughly what to expect but have never done any of it myself. Silly things like entering in time, getting my number on the day and where to go for everything already seem pretty intimidating! Timings as well- when to arrive, how long to give myself to course walk (as someone who chronically forgets my way halfway around SJ courses), warm up etc. As a newbie the riding seems like the easy part!

take someone with you even if they aren’t horsey so you can send them off to do things
If you are doing BE you’ll already have your number printed at home.
if you are local, walk the XC course the day before.
There should be timings for course walking the SJ on the day in between things.
I have issues that mean my short term memory is shocking, especially if I’m full of adrenaline. The SJ gets easier the more you do as the “flow” tends to make more sense. eventing SJ has fewer fences, less twisty and generally easier than pure SJ.

BE fixtures online will tell you how late you can leave it to enter. They have dropped the ballot system and it’s first come, first served so get in when entries open. You can check online now when things open even though events are still in preparation stage.

if you’ve been with folk you’ll know what to expect. Remember to take your hat to the box to check and get tagged.
don’t overthink it x

 

[LEC]

Thank you. I need to keep telling myself that! Although it all does seem so intimidating. It's silly things that worry me- I see people doing grassroots with 40k lorries, sponsored equipment and dressage and jump saddles at 3k a piece. I realise none of it really matters and no one is there to judge you (I know everyone will be much to focused on their own riding to bother with the vehicle or saddle someone else has!) but I can't help but feel that showing up in a trailer and doing dressage in a cheap jump saddle is adding to this feeling I have of not belonging 'in the club'.

It's also part of the reason I feel so put out by the lack of training available- it's almost like someone was whispering in my ear as I looked at all the u21 BE training 'you don't belong here, if you did you'd have started early enough to have already done all this training'.

I know I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, but I think this is what comes from growing up going to events with my peers but always being the only one who wasn't competing. Those peers are now stepping up and getting established at Novice/Intermediate and I'm only just thinking about starting the journey...

At any horse event someone will always be richer/better equipped/on a more expensive horse. Don’t sweat it! Just go out to have a fun day. For me that’s putting hours of training to the test and always looking to improve.

 

[Squeak]

Second the riding club suggestion for helping find training.

In terms of learning what timings etc you need, try going out to a dressage, sj and combined training first and start off with a low key local show where they're happy to help and be flexible if you do end up running late. If you haven't done any competitions with your current horse it also might help to give you both a chance to find your feet together in a less stressful environment. You can also do some unaffiliated ODE's before going to a BE that will give you a chance to have a full trial run. Apologies if I'm just telling you something you already know

 

[littledonkey]

Thank you. I need to keep telling myself that! Although it all does seem so intimidating. It's silly things that worry me- I see people doing grassroots with 40k lorries, sponsored equipment and dressage and jump saddles at 3k a piece. I realise none of it really matters and no one is there to judge you (I know everyone will be much to focused on their own riding to bother with the vehicle or saddle someone else has!) but I can't help but feel that showing up in a trailer and doing dressage in a cheap jump saddle is adding to this feeling I have of not belonging 'in the club'.

It's also part of the reason I feel so put out by the lack of training available- it's almost like someone was whispering in my ear as I looked at all the u21 BE training 'you don't belong here, if you did you'd have started early enough to have already done all this training'.

I know I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, but I think this is what comes from growing up going to events with my peers but always being the only one who wasn't competing. Those peers are now stepping up and getting established at Novice/Intermediate and I'm only just thinking about starting the journey...

My daughter's horse cost her £500 she backed him & trained him herself, her lessons are with our yard owner, he goes to events in a older trailer pulled by an old discovery, they are going to the 90 champs at Badminton this year in his 2nd hand saddles , they have never felt looked down upon & have met lots of lovely people so go & enjoy yourself that's what its all about.

 

[billylula]

My daughter qualified for GR - horse lives out in borrowed farmers field, we have a knackered but safe 20 year old ifor, she does dressage in her one saddle which is a second hand jump saddle. We did one day of BE youth training and were not impressed. She has a really good trainer who events herself who we see once a month. Apart from that she hunts and hacks for miles. Horse isn't brilliant in group lessons and there's nothing more frustrating than paying 60+ and not feeling you've progressed.

 

[Magnetic Sparrow]

I fence-judged at the Eventers Challenge day at Tweseldown last weekend. That seemed a very good introduction to eventing without being a proper competition, if that might help. I don't know what other venues do something similar.

 

[little_critter]

Not sure if he’s anywhere near you but I’ve had some great lessons with Tom Grant based in Malmesbury.
And I’m a complete numpty when it comes to jumping, he was understanding, funny and pushed us to improve (in a nice way)