Which event for first intro?

[Astra]

Hi

I'm hoping for some advice on which venue would be best for my first attempt at BE later in the year. I ones I've got in mind (because they are closest to me and I will have to persuade a friend to give me a lift) are Burnham Beeches, MKEC and Keysoe in order of distance. I've schooled at MKEC in the past so I know that course fairly well, but I don't know either of the others. I think Snowball (Burnham Beeches) have unaffiliated hunter trials before their BE event so if I went for that I could get a chance to ride round the course first, whereas both MK and Keysoe have their courses open for schooling. Any views or other suggestions?

A x

 

[BBs]

Keysoe, MK and BB are all great first intros IMO

BB and Keysoe both run their sjing phase on a surface.

I did Keysoe Intro as my second BE event on a very spooky young horse and she flew round

its encouraging and the ppl are very friendly.

Is Mattingley too far? this is an absolutely super event.

 

[Astra]

Thanks for this BBs. I also have a very spooky young horse (well rising seven but very low mileage and still rather green - I've only had him a couple of months) so I want to go somewhere that won't blow his (or my) brain. Keysoe is probably the furthest of the three from me. Is the dressage on grass at all three venues? Can you tell me whereabouts Mattingley is?

A x

 

[BBs]

Yes all venues are on grass, although keysoe do put a lot of sand down.

Mattingley is Hampshire about 10 mins from the Reading junction M4. Fantasic event and brilliant prizes. I went there with the same horse as my 3rd and final intro and she flew round (that year was bottomless ground). They run Mattinley twice, the big main event in May then Little Mattingley, PN and Intro only in June or July.
Tweseldown which is near Aldershot is about 10 mins further than Mattingley and they run an Unaffiliated ODE at the end of April.

 

[Astra]

Thanks for that. It's very helpful. I'll certainly bear Mattingley in mind, although my friend (who gives me a lift from time to time) may feel its too far. I haven't been to Tweseldown since my PC days, some 15 odd years ago!

A x

 

[Petrie]

Mattingly is fantastic, but my advice would be to go somewhere not too far away for your first event. You don't want the added worry of a long journey.

Better to go somewhere a bit closer, where you or your friend/driver know the route, then you can relax, if you can!

Keysoe is fine and straightforward, but not the prettiest course. MK you know, and will also be fine.

The other one which I really like which wouldn't be too far for you is Aston-Le-Walls. Lovely course and good going.

Eventing magazine are doing a low-down on all the events atm, whether they're suitable for first timers, comments from riders etc. Might be worth having a look in there.

Good luck - you'll love it!

 

[Astra]

Thanks Petrie

I think the Taylor's have got some two-day training courses coming up at Aston. I'll get myself organised for one of those and then I'll get an idea of what the course is like too.

Thanks again.

A

 

[Petrie]

That's a really good idea.

It's a really nice event, nice friendly atmosphere, and they make a big effort with the going. There's also a proper event feel to it, if you know what I mean, which makes it more fun! Some of the smaller events are a bit lacking in atmosphere - Keyose is one which seems a bit lacking, I think.

You do have to walk past one of the water jumps to get to the dressage though, which can be a bit of a problem if you've got one who needs to stay calm for the stressage!!

 

[Astra]

A lack of atmosphere at our first event *might* be a good thing as my boy can be a bit hot headed at times

That's good to know about the ground though. I certainly don't want to take him somewhere that he is going to get jarred up.

Thanks

 

[Petrie]

No, you certainly don't want that, and some events do get very firm.

I know what you mean about atmosphere! I guess for your fist event you might want somewhere low key, just until he's used to it. But, to be honest, there's never that many people around!