How Often Do You Run?

[Nomini]

So I know its January but the cold depresses me and I'm already thinking about spring!

Out of curiousity, how much do you compete on your horse? I'm hoping to start the pony at Intermediate this year and spend the spring there. How many horse trials can you run at that level? It was OK at the lower levels to run quite a bit more, but I feel like this is a different ballgame. Obviously, her safety and well-being are the top priority, and since she's not going anywhere ever, I want her to be happy and sound for a very, very long time (she's coming 10 now). Assuming the eventing fund holds out, what's a reasonable number of shows? One a month, or maybe 2? I can't really see running that high of a level back to back weekends, especially since its especially hard on midget legs (although thank goodness for hard-as-bricks pony legs!)...

I also have a green coming 5 year old that will do a BN or 2 before Novice. Do you guys run a young horse like that more often?

Just curious for imput!

[Bobthehorse]

My Training horse went every two weeks last season, max (May to October). This year, he will be 19, so if he is even up to it again, he will go more like 4 times total.

My young horse, rising 6, will be going N, and though I still like every other week as rule of thumb, he may go back to back once or twice, near the middle or end of the season.

[Mad*eventer]

I wish i had the $$ to run as many events as i wanted. I ran my 5y/old ( last year) approx. 1 recognized event a month, then added schoolings.

This year, im trying to fit alot in before college so she will do something every 2 or 3 weeks wether it be a CT or HT, starting at training and then moving up to prelim after 1 CT and 1 HT

[pass]

Truly, to me it depends on the horse. Some horses do best running more often and keeping the jumping schools at home super light. I find some do really well running every other weekend. My advanced horse ran like crap if he ran once a month. Every other seemed too much. His perfect schedule was once every three weeks.
Usually if I am moving a horse up to Intermediate, or any level for that matter, I will run them every other weekend for the first 6 weeks, and let them settle into a rhythm. Then I will back off a bit in the spring/summer, and try to go every three weeks. But really, it is up to the horse. I try to not run back to back weekends if it is entered in an FEI.
But on the other end of that, I have horses that prefer only running once a month or even every 6 weeks or so.
I have found that getting your vet to come out and do flexions every few shows helps keep you up to date on any small changes that the competition schedule might bring about.

[joharavhf]

I think it depends on the horse, too.

I will likely run my pony man 2 times per month, but I may just go once a month and add schoolings in there. I take lessons weekly anyways, and my instructor has a GORGEOUS facility complete with a cross country course out back.....

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Depends on your horse and depends on your goals. Most will pick two maybe three events a year as your goals....and then you pick what events will give you the best prep for that goal.

Once upon a time.....most eventers were aiming for a CCI in the spring and one in the Fall....and all your HTs were geared at giving you the best lead into those events. Some horses might only run one or two HTs before a CCI....others will run more. I personally would not plan on competing any horse at more than 8-10 events in a year....and if they have experience for that level (not the OPs case)...they probably need fewer events than that. Since most of mine are young and green for their level....I like no more than 8-10 for them as well but will do more events closer (still usually two weeks apart) and then give them a break....but I still do the same process.

Pick your goal...and work backwards. Same as you would do for fitness. Pick where you want them to peak...and work backwards. (this doesn't matter the level....BN or Adv).

[yellowbritches]

Agreed. It really depends on the horse and the goals.

I once rode to very green horses 5 times out of 6 weeks. I was perfect for both of them and they really got good and solid and forward thinking. My current young horse doesn't need that kind of schedule, as he has been bold from day one. One of our clients' horses, a good training level horse with some mileage might run once a month this year, with a destination of the training three day. My young guy, who will most likely be moving up to training early this spring, will probably go once, maybe twice a month, as well. While another young, very green horse in the barn will probably need a more solid show schedule for awhile until he gets it. The UL horse...well, we'll see. We have ideas with him, he just has to keep his head on straight! ;)

I like the idea of 8-10 AT THE MOST for most horses. I also think that once a good horse, especially an UL horse is confirmed and going well, less is more. Pick destination events (CCIs, etc) and work the horse trial season around what the horse needs for prep.

[RAyers]

My philosophy for events per year is:
Training and below - 10-15 events
Prelim - no more than 10
Intermediate and Advanced - no more than 6

Thus as a horse moves up the levels, they compete less to save their legs and to give them a chance to recover from competitions. At the upper level I will maybe do a month with 2 events but I will only do that once. Otherwise, I try to spread it out so there is no more than 1 a month. The damage done to the joints, cardiovascular system (possible cause of EIPH etc.) as well as their mind it too much otherwise.

Reed

[mkmallory]

I'm planning on showing most of this season Intermediate as well, and I'm doing about one a month, mostly because thats all I can afford. But basically the schedule looks pretty good to me, i have on average 20 days in between each show.. i try not to plan too far in the future though, really I have just made Red Hills my goal and worked backwards.. so an this weekends Poplar HT at IP to warm up, then Poplars Feb at I, possibly something else, then Red Hills at P in March...
If i could afford it though I think i would probably run a mixuture of shows 2, 3 and 4 weeks apparate.. never back to back though...

[WakeRider]

I too have an intermediate pony.. he is a bit stocky (purebred Connemara) so this and 10 years of experience with him has led me to my current schedule.

The super pony goes 2x a month at Intermediate (this is only b/c we have to meet certain criteria to qualify for NAYRCs) until the end of april (though we are starting out at IP @ Sporting Days and P @ Paradise.... moving to I at Pine Top) etc etc.... the pony really benefits from running more consistently. Its just his personality... if he only does 1 x month or with a wide gap inbetween runs he is a pain in the a** to handle at competitions, spooky, tense, etc.... this being said we normally will move up and down b/t prelim and intermediate to not run him into the ground.

My young horses also run 2x a month... though it really depends on the horse... some of my babies can't handle the stress and need to ease into it... some benefit from a more intensive schedule. My young horse now is running training, gearing for P so is running 2x month

[purplnurpl]

My philosophy for events per year is:
Training and below - 10-15 events
Prelim - no more than 10
Intermediate and Advanced - no more than 6

Thus as a horse moves up the levels, they compete less to save their legs and to give them a chance to recover from competitions. At the upper level I will maybe do a month with 2 events but I will only do that once. Otherwise, I try to spread it out so there is no more than 1 a month. The damage done to the joints, cardiovascular system (possible cause of EIPH etc.) as well as their mind it too much otherwise.

Reed


I'll be running Intermediate this year as well.
6 Intermediate QRs will get me to Fair Hill so there is a possibility that I'll run 8 this year which is a stretch for me.
If my horse is not sharp enough after 6 outs at Intermediate or doesn't get QRs then we wait until next year for a CCI**, obviously.

And actually I think 10 is a bit much for a Prelim horse considering the young age of most prelim horses these days.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

And actually I think 10 is a bit much for a Prelim horse considering the young age of most prelim horses these days.


I agree...and actually think 10 is a lot for most any horse at any level....although it really depends on the horse. But I do believe sometimes you make plans for that number knowing that will probably scratch some and not make all that you plan. If the footing is crappy, horse pulls a shoe or gets minor injury etc. I don't think I've EVER completely stuck to any plan that I've ever made involving horses. But alternatively, if the footing stays fantastic and all the stars aline.....it might not be too much. Honestly, prelim is not harder than a days hunting....and hunt horses will often hunt once and sometimes twice a week....in less than perfect footing. But I just don't want to pound on my horses like that.