First Event...No Trainer....Advice? Suggestions?

[BoysNightOut]

I'm taking my Thoroughbred gelding to his first event this weekend, and am looking for any advice/tips/suggestions anybody can offer? I've done 2 events before, but that was almost 10 years ago on another well-trained horse, with a trainer.

I am going with another girl & her horse from my barn who's very experienced, as well as the BO, so I won't be completely alone. But this is my horse's first outing. We are doing Beginner Novice Horse. I posted a couple of critiques of him on this board and H/J board awhile back. I have taken him to 2 schoolings, including the course we are riding at this weekend. He was very good at both. :)

My goal is to just finish the event...I don't care about placing, if we can get through each phase, I will be very proud of my horse! He has had a lot happen to him in his life, and hopefully this will be a good new career for him. He seems to really enjoy his work so far. :)

Anything you feel may help us to know, please share! TIA! :)

[Catalina]

Make sure you know all of the rules because there are 101+ silly ways to get the big E.

Don't miss your times.

Know the correct dressage test.

Breathe and relax and most of all, have fun! :D

[Jeannette, formerly ponygyrl]

Have fun!

Once you get your ride times, write yourself out a time schedule, building in allowances in case things take longer than you expect. Figure out what time you want to be tacked up for dressage ( factoring in if parking will be near or far from D warm-up, and putting in a little extra time so if you get to warm-up and have forgotten your whip/your number/your lucky trinket/your fly spray you have etime to go back and get it) then figure when you should start loaading up and driving off, getting your packet, walking xc, braiding, getting dressed, grooming, tacking up, etc.
Allow yourself time to walk the XC course at least twice - not necessarily back to back, and once for sure alone, maybe once with someone who knows the facility and/or you.

Feel free to ask people parked near you/walking courses when you are/in the secretary's office and warm-up for small bits of help. Going to events alone, more strangers than i can count have held my horse while I walked stadium, or handed me my coat before I went in the ring. Do the same for others, thank volunteers throughout the day, and you shoukld have a great time, no matter how it goes!

[Eventer13]

I agree with writing a schedule and giving yourself more time than you think you'll need. This is especially true in the course walks (I'm terrible at judging how long it will take).

And def. know the rules! They have changed quite a bit in the last 10 yrs, so you might want to look through the rule book if you haven't done so already.

[tcgelec]

Walk XC twice. Walk stadium twice. Remember when you go into the dressage arena that you have plenty of time to get it all done.

I have a little 3X5 card that I carry around with me that has the day broken into 15 min increments. When I glance at it I know if I'm behind and have to step it up or if I can sit down and sip a water bottle for a few minutes. Believe me....I'm not that anal about ANYTHING else in my life...it kind of amuses me...and those around me.

I have been eventing (BN) for 2 yrs, mostly without a trainer. I do ride with a trainer once a week but do the HTs solo. I always felt that the HTs were very friendly to those without a trainer, as opposed to HJs for example.

[Jeannette, formerly ponygyrl]

Ah - rereading i see you are going with others, If/when at all possible, build in a little time to watch her/their tests, help hold her horse when she mounts, etc, and you'll have an even better time!

[Invested1]

I'm not that anal about ANYTHING else in my life...it kind of amuses me...and those around me..

I don't even know you and that amuses me. :lol:

[BoysNightOut]

Thanks for all the advice so far!

My dressage test is at 9:54am on Saturday. My stadium is then at 3:15pm on Sunday, followed by X-Country at 3:28pm Sunday. So looks like I will have a big chunk of time in between days. I'll be sure to walk the X-Country course at least twice before Sunday.

Quick question....I was reading over the rules briefly (didn't have time to read them over thoroughly...but will do so before this weekend!).....but are dressage whips now allowed in the Dressage Test? I thought I read they were allowed as long as it wasn't over a certain length long, but maybe I was mis-reading?


Thanks for the tips so far...any others are appreciated! :)

[ohhthatgirl]

I believe its 43.3 cm in length for a whip to be legal in US competitions. Good luck and have fun! Let us know how it goes :)

[Janet]

Quick question....I was reading over the rules briefly (didn't have time to read them over thoroughly...but will do so before this weekend!).....but are dressage whips now allowed in the Dressage Test? I thought I read they were allowed as long as it wasn't over a certain length long, but maybe I was mis-reading?
Whips (up to 43.3 inches = 100 cm) are allowed for dressage, EXCEPT at championships.

(43 cm would be VERY short indeed)

[ohhthatgirl]

Whoops, I meant inches. Sorry about that :P