Where do i start???

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aldato_daz

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hey all...

i really want to start eventing this year with my 5yo and as it will be my first time competing like this (i have only ever really competed at local shows years and years ago) i really have no idea where i start!!!

because i live in northern ireland, it will obviously be with eventing ireland. where does somebody like me who has never seriously competed before start off???

i will be joining my local riding club this year so that could be a bit of a start as in getting ideas etc.

also...an issue i feel very insecure about would be the fact that i know i will never be a top top rider so is there anybody out there who competes with the likes of eventing ireland who are like me? what i mean is..i would like to make my way up the grades and classes etc but i obviously know that i may never be first place in any of these!!! i hope u all understand what i mean!!

thanks for reading and for your help!!

p.s i would just get in contact with eventing ireland themselves, however i dont really want to as i would like to read about peoples first hand experiences of starting out!!!

thanks again,

carrie
 
Hi Caggie,

The RC is a great place to start as it is very open to beginners and caters for all levels within each discipline.
The IHTS are increasingly catering for the amateur in the form of the Sportmans division. You can choose either to compete at training level or novice level. There are also intro classes specifically designed to give young horses a pleasant introduction to eventing.

Best of luck
 
Everyone has to start somewhere, hun, You need not feel insecure about making it to the top, very few do, and you can only go as far as your training and horses ability will allow you.
You should set yourself realistic goals and monitor strengths, weaknesses and problems so these can be worked on accordingly as your training progresses.
You have a young horse, and you both are inexperienced so you should be going out with the motivation to be pleased with your performance, not necessarily to win.
Firstly, I would school and fitten your horse according to what you want to do, by joining your local Riding club you should be able to participate in events arranged by these first. you and your horse should feel competent and relaxed to be able to do top club level eventing at 3ft/3 with ease before considering joining an affiliated club.
If you are completely satisfied with your ability to do club events then see if you can participate in affiliated irish eventing events on a day ticket to get the expereince of what the competion is like and the level you are expected to ride at.
go to www.irisheventing.com

you will see that when you join you are expected to go up levels according to the amount of points you get, the same as BE.

There is also opportunities to gain training through IE as well.

Your club should be able to let you know about training sessions, or get a good eventing instuctor to help you.

Take one step at a time and do not take unessecary chances.

hope this helps
Dawn
 
hey dawn....thx for ur help! is it really as easy as that? so would you call riding club events unafilliated and then eventing ireland events affiliated?? that irisheventing.co website just brings me to a page that gives me the choice of loads of american websites. is this right?

thx again!

carrie
 
The eventing Ireland website may be more useful http://www.eventingireland.com/ off course that is affiliated.

Our daughter is keen to event eventually, at the moment she is at Pony Club & Riding Club events, doing some XC schooling when courses are open and having lessons.

Danescroft is a nice course to go round, and Katie was at a 2 phase on Saturday at Tollymore Riding Centre which was a lovely beginners course. They are holding a Go-as-you-please this Saturday and next 10am - 4pm only a tenner..

Fiona comes on her quite often and will be a real help as she does affiliated and has lots of experience. She has given us a lot of great advice over the past few months.

Good luck..
 
Hi Carrie
No it should not but your right it did that with me???, go onto google and type in irish eventing and that should take you there.
Well I would not call it easy, it will take a lot of time and dedication, lots of tears, happiness and frustration, but if you really want to try to progress then that is the way. Remember also that your horse will only go as far as its potential and sometimes this is not as far as the owner wants, but you can cross that bridge at a latter date.
Riding clubs are registered under riding club associations, most of their events will be under BSJA, BE or BD rules, but the event is usually easier, you do not get points for your horse or monetary winnings. But they are a good way to start. Irish eventing, irish show jumping , not sure about dressage are all irish equivilants of BE, BSJA and BD which are affiliated. They allow you to progress up the ladder by gaining points.
Get a good registered or qualified/well known instructor who can help you to train and will give you a good indication of where you are now and what your horse and you need to be training and are finally capable of.
Hope this helps
Dawn
 
If I were you Id get some experience at RC level first until your doing well (or are happy!). Then you can try the lowest affiliated eventing level. I assume in Ireland its the same as here?? If so, intro is I think max 90cm.
 
Hi there Caggie

Lots of info about Eventing Ireland can be found on our new website www.eventingireland.com including downloading membership forms etc. However I am the first to admit that it is an expensive pastime, and you should really make sure both you and your horse are confident over 1m showjumping courses and 90-1m XC before you affiliate. There are lots of things on at the moment unaffiliated, and should give you an idea of what to aim for before the season starts next March. You can also get day tickets rather than the expense of joining as a full member. Nearer the time I can certainly suggest which are the stronger courses and which are suitable for a first timer, as there can be a lot of difference.
I work sometimes in the office with the EI sec in the northern region, so any questions you have just let me know.

Fiona
 
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