What would you like on a fun ride?

benson21

benson21

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I organize great Chart Happy Hack, and would really like to get some feedback about the ride.
So, if you have been on it, is there anything I could improve? Do you prefer the route through Godinton park, or the one just round the stubble field? Woukd you like to see an equestrian boot fair in there as well?
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Not done your ride but my prefs are.... Good parking, lots of jumps pref at diff heights, eater crossings, lots of gallops and def. Sausages and tea
 
Ooo I'm not to far from you and would love to go! When is it? I like the opportunity to have a few jumps of a decent quality. A photographer as well is a plus point :) Plenty of places to have gallop - and a place to have a bit of a warm up if its a fast ride?
 
We're hoping to do the happy hack this year, haven't done it yet. One of my friends has and she said she enjoyed it, liked the stop half way round, but she said she likes a variation on the route I.e not all stubble fields.
 
On a fun ride !! with possibly over 100 horses charging round !! obstacles look great but more le trec ! I would be really peeved to get to a point in the ride to have to wait 10 mins plus to cross a bridge or walk over a bit of tarp !!

bring on the jumps, gallops, rosettes and sausages ! see Adams Farm !! they do it very well !!
 
THe main problem with the CHart Happy Hack is that it is too far for us to come. :D I always have a look and would love to come but a bit far.

In general, lots of good cantering/ gallopy places, not too much road work, good food and parking where you are unlikely to get stuck. Also, timed setting off.
 
Feathered said:
Veggie sausages!! ;)
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What a good idea!! hadnt thought of that, but will def have some there on the next ride!

Tinsel Town said:
but she said she likes a variation on the route I.e not all stubble fields.
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We have basically 2 variations, depending on what crops are where! This year I think will prob be through Godinton Estate, so not all stuble.
meesha said:
Not done your ride but my prefs are.... Good parking, lots of jumps pref at diff heights, eater crossings, lots of gallops and def. Sausages and tea
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We do have a set of jumps, 6 in total, in 2 lines, one side are small cross poles, and the other is more xc jumps, but we can only have them at one place because I can never get enough stewards to man them!
 
tiga71 said:
THe main problem with the CHart Happy Hack is that it is too far for us to come. :D I always have a look and would love to come but a bit far.

In general, lots of good cantering/ gallopy places, not too much road work, good food and parking where you are unlikely to get stuck. Also, timed setting off.
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Sorry, cant move the village!! about the timed set off, I never give a time, just turn up anytime between 9 and 2. I think then its a lot more relaxed, no one is stressing because they are late cos horse wont load, or they got held up.
 
When I did them - and I've been on some strange ones! My priorities would be:-

Standard true to the description - no 40ft drops for the novices! No obvious hazards - flapping silage bales, ice filled puddles of unknown depth with miscellaneous farm equipment just visible in particular.
Interogation of all declared participants - CAN YOU FLIPPIN@ RIDE? Is your orse a nutcase? Can you also get back on if you fall off - without the aid of airways stairs? Do you know how to open and shut a gate? Do you understand the word "manners."
Exclusion of folk who don't pass the above muster, along with all others who don't want to join in with the idea of a fun day out!

Like the idea of sauages etc., but was always concerned to get mare home and settled first rather than stood about waiting after getting hot and bothered ( she always did ) so great if that was back in the yard. Used to go to the Cotswolds and take out a hireling ( 'ling I say - he was 17.2!) and stay in the village with a pub at the end of the drive to the yard - now that IS organisation!
 
As the owner of a IDx Sherman Tank, the one thing i really appreciate is being allowed to start 10 minutes early by arrangement so that my horse isn't constantly tanking after the horses he can see in front of him. I realise this only works for one person though!
A bit of flexibility for someone who might struggle is always very welcome though and goes a long way in creating goodwill and return visits - leaving a bigger gap than normal before setting off, holding the next lot back a bit so you don't get overtaken etc.

Food and drink as part of the price is always a good one - that way you make food profit on everyone not just those who choose to eat. You need to work out your costings properly though to make sure you don't undercharge!

Oh and don't over estimate the distance - last one I did was supposed to be 10 miles, I doubt it was even 6! We'd finished in just over an hour after expecting a good 2hr ride. It annoyed both us, who felt we'd been charged a lot for not much, and a friend who would have come on a shorter ride but felt 10 miles was too much for her older horse. I guarantee she'll come next year and they'll have made it longer!
 
I'd prefer a nice certificate to the usual 2nd hand rosette from a previous horse show (or maybe they just give those to the mules :( ).I still have the certificate Sarah-lee was presented with 10yrs ago..the rosettes are in a drawer somewhere ;)
 
Ooo no, my rosettes are brand new, never second hand!! The ride is just like a hack, with a few optional jumps, not sure a certificate would be right for that, except maybe for the little ones that do it?
 
Hi Benson, I've done the Happy Hack twice now. The first time I did it, it was my first sponsored ride, the 2nd time was my friend's first sponsored ride.

I have always thought it was relaxed and well organised. The first time was the stubble field route I think, the 2nd time Godinton Park - that was lovely.

I don't jump, but thought there were sufficient jumps for those that wanted to.

The only improvement I could see is that it could be a bit longer or maybe have a longer route alternative. 8 miles is good for a first ride or for a horse/pony with limitations, but for a fitter horse it's a bit short, 15 miles would be good. But I guess getting permission for a longer route could be prohibitive.

Personally would not want to attend a boot fair on the same day as I would be more concerned about looking after my horse and getting her back home. Although a little rest to eat sausages/burgers before travelling is welcome - and were very nice :)
 
Hi, we are local and the kids are going to do a few fun rides this year. The kids prefer to have some jumping. They havent done this before but if it is for a charity then can you not borrow some jumps (Local pony clubs etc ) and get a few more volunteers from that charity ? . How do you arrange set offs then ?. If there is a queue do you just have to wait ? thanks
 
Its for kent Air Ambulance, we have asked before for volunteers with no luck unfortunately. If we had more, we could have more jumps, and maybe a longer route, but as we are not a club that organises the ride, i.e pony club, it really is just me, my OH, my parents and half a dozen friends that get roped in!
I tell everyone they can go between 9 and 2, so its their choice when to leave, and most are quite sensible, they can see a big group leaving so wait a few mins, or go and join them!!! sensibly, we advise no more than about 4 in a group, but I think people join up with others when they leave the start, and as there is usually very little road work, they are not holding up traffic if there are more than 4.
 
In that case, hats off to you. Do you really want it any bigger or longer ? , If you have plenty of numbers then enjoy your success and other peoples pleasure. I have just been roped in to steward one of the jumps on the Wye ride. It will be the first time I have done it and majority of money goes to the air ambulance but some to the hunt so they have a larger pool of ' volunteers' to grab.
Please feel free to PM me nearer the time and if I am around I will help if you need me.
 
meesha said:
That's meant to be water crossing ! Silly phone
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I like the 1st option better (eater crossing) and second the person who suggested Cotswold Farm park ride as a template. There is a pub half way round with waitresses serving hot chocolate with straws so easier to drink whilst mounted- so remember to take some cash!

*I'd like 2 photographers as sometime you get a queue and its nice to have a choice.
*Good parking
*Well marked route
*Card with emergency phone numbers on to be handed back in when you return.
*LOTS of jumps all heights (again Adams farm do telegraph poles on floor so great for tines right up to stone walls)
*Maybe a loo on the course with a tie up point with head collar and rope?
* Nice rosettes and a bacon roll for finishers (included in cost) :p
 
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nikCscott said:
*I'd like 2 photographers as sometime you get a queue and its nice to have a choice.
*Good parking
*Well marked route
*Card with emergency phone numbers on to be handed back in when you return.
*LOTS of jumps all heights (again Adams farm do telegraph poles on floor so great for tines right up to stone walls)
*Maybe a loo on the course with a tie up point with head collar and rope?
* Nice rosettes and a bacon roll for finishers (included in cost) :p
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The photographer we have based at the set of jumps, jumps are optional, so he takes pics of standing, jumping, galloping etc etc, whatever he catches you doing!
Parking is in the start field, either just off the road, or on the yard.
Dont think I have ever had anyone get really lost, so i guess our markers are ok!
Everyone gets a card with emergency numbers, website address and also the web for the photographers so youcan look at pics when you get home, as well as on the day, so no real need for a long wait.
There is a loo in the start field, but not out on route. they are £75 for each loo, so we try and limit expenditure by just having one.
Rosettes are obviously included in cost, but not bacon roll. there is a good barbque in the start field, not sure how you would police putting it in the price. i am sure there would be some that would claim more than 1!!
So, as far as I can see, we are doing most things right, definately get veggie sausages for this year, and maybe look into some certificates for the kids.
 
I think your doing everything right, regarding making it longer, there are plenty other rides in the area that are longer I think being known for a shorter one it a good thing, it's good for novices, kids, and adults that are wanting to do a ride that's a bit quieter and a bit more laid back :) looking forward to it!! :D
 
Oh I also like the fact you can go round with more than 4, not that our group is massive but there is 6 of us who would be going and want to do it together :)
 
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