Wish me luck what do I do if ...

[StellaArtois]

Going to my first 3ft ODE and to say the least very scared not trained over fences I should have as couldnt get anyone to come with me and dont like going on my own but done a couple of cross country courses. Dressage and SJ dont bother me but the cross country phase unsettles me a bit just because I havent done a lot of it. To be honest I thought being unaffilated I a lot of the fences might not be up to height.
There is the dreaded ditch I hope if I go nice and steady even at trot keep leg on it wont be an issue.
Question is what happens if she refuses how many refusals are you allowed before you get frog marched off the course. Also what happens if someone comes up behin and I let them through how long do you need to wait before you go. I know this is all basic stuff have tried looking up rules on the website and printed off some good stuff, just needing reassurance.

Well done if you got to the end off this.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

I have no idea I'm afraid but just wanted to say good luck

- i think you are very brave!!

 

[Annagain]

First of all, I'm sure you'll be fine tomorrow. With the ditch, it's purely a rider frightener, horses don't care about them. Will you walk the course again tomorrow? If so (or if not take a moment as you approach the fence) choose a fixed point inthe distance, a tree or a fence post whatever you can see easily. Fix your sight onto it and ride towards it. DON'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF IT!! That way you won't look down at the ditch. You are eliminated after three stops at once fence or 4 in total, but at some competitions they will let you carry on, just miss out the fence you're having trouble with and go onto the next. It might be best to ask the organisers what the policy is before you start thought to avoid misunderstandings.
If you get caught up, you must give way to the horse coming from behind, you should be aware of it, but they'll give you a shout if you don't see them. It can work to your advantage as you can end up having a lead over a fence you're having trouble at! I'm sure you won't need that, though and at the end you'll be wondering why you were so nervous!
Good luck

 

[Rachaelpink]

Good luck! I did a hunter trial not very long ago, 2ft 9 after only having played about twice on a cross country course, was being a bit ambitious.

I think its 3 refusals and your out, but not entirely sure. I took ages as I got eliminated but wanted to still complete course for the experience for her and they were fine with that, few people did it. No-one told me I'd been eliminated and to leave the course. When someone came along I just moved out of the way until they had gone past.

Usually as you said, not all fences are up to height in unaffiliated, mine weren't.