What do you think of Olney Farm HT?

[KFC1177]

I was reviewing the schedule and considering going to Olney Farm HT on Aug 2. . . .
Just wondering what you guys think of it. . .
Thanks in advance,

[takethestage]

I'm curious too... any thoughts on the Training course? :D

[Catalina]

I went to Olney last year at Novice. Dressage was HARD because it was in a tiny (20 X 40), dark indoor arena; so my test consisted of trot, trot, spook, etc and we got our worst score to date. Stadium had some wierd twisty roll back lines, but overall was good. XC was difficult, but really fun because I enjoyed the challange. Scoring took forever, but, overall, I enjoyed it.

[retreadeventer]

Olney takes place on a lovely and quaint farm that has been a horse place for generations - they raise Shetland ponies and welcome kids and have for many years. They have a course that winds thru the pastures, and the footing is mostly grass. There is a creek that runs thru the one pasture, but the water jump is actually in the middle of the field. Don't let the farm atmosphere fool you, it's not always apparent but sometimes the courses will have something small, but difficult about them that at first glance you can't figure out. Keep walking - you'll find the easy way to do it. For the most part it is mild for most levels, and personally, I have found stadium there to be quite welcoming. If you ride well and don't get worried about little things - you will have fun there. I'd consider it a great move up event.

[Beam Me Up]

I liked it, thought it was very low key.
It didn't have the warm-ups or the footings of fancier venues but everything held up the 2 times I was there.
The T x-c was on the easy side both times, with a few fences that were very small for T, but also some T questions.

[blaster]

I have found the T courses are the easy side. Unless they have put in a water complex, the water is a small stream which in dry years can be jumped...

The footing tends to be hard, as it is Aug in Maryland. Lastly, the course does have a funny flow at times since you are jumping the fence lines into the next pasture.

Overall, I went at least a few years in a row and had a good time. Depending on your calendar/goals, Fairhill mid-Aug is a fab choice!

PS Make sure you bring ample horse water though. No spigots close to trailer parking.

[KFC1177]

Thank you all for your opinions.
I personally will be going BN, how does the xc course rate?
Thanks,

[rennyben]

Hey just a friendly reminder to please put this stuff on the xc review site...
there's so much neat info in there. I was just poking around and saw some good info about warming up at one of the horse trials...

so help us collect all this good information. :)

www.crosscountryreview.com

[mbdobbs]

This year will be the first time I actually ride at Olney, but I've been there twice to watch and groom. It's a fun little Horse Trial, nice and low key, and I like to support them. It's a nice farm that's been a horse place for generations. I'm looking forward to it.

Melissa