ODE in July - should we do it?

[lilholley]

Hey guys,

My field buddy's husband picked up a schedule for me when he got our hay the other day - its for a ODE. I would never even look at something at like usually, but class one actually looks do-able. The dressage is prelim 7 (we can do that) and the SJ is 70cm max (that's ok too). The bit I am worried about is the XC, it says 70cm approx. 70cm is just under 2ft3 I think and little short legs is only 13.2

Part of me is saying go for it, it'll be fun. Bella used to do XC with her old old owner, and she said they usually did the 2ft6 class - though this was about 4/5 years ago. I know she would have an awesome time blasting around, but I'm scared about the jumps! I've only ever done one HT years ago, and me and my pony got eliminated at the third jump for refusing so much lol - we didn't actually jump anything!

I'm also worried about getting Bella fit enough. How long does it take to do the XC bit? She'd need to get much fitter to be able to canter round that. But, its not til July 3rd.

What do you think? I'm totally torn! Should I try to find one with slightly smaller jumps - do they even exist smaller? I looked at the photos on the RC website from last year and there's lots of kiddies on ickle ponies, so surely we could do it!?

Also, I don't have access to a XC course for practice. What sort of things would you expect to encounter? I suppose ideally I'd take her to a course for a schooling round first?

I've never done anything like this before - please help!

Cheers for reading,
Holley x

[amandaxx1]

I was just going to say could you not go along to one of those XC open days and have a mosey round?

The best thing I reckon is to go and look at the CX course before you go and see what you think xx

[IcarusGirl]

Dooo it! It's july, thats aaages away! You can always pull out at the last minute if you dont fancy it :)

[gem]

Do it!! As Claire says, you can always pull out if you change your mind. When do entries have to be in by? Try to get yourself to an xc schooling session so she's used to the jumps and you can gauge how easy she finds it. There's plenty of time to fitten her up. How exciting!!

[IcarusGirl]

At least you're at an advantage of having a pony thats done it all before, i pooped myself when i took Icarus because neither of us had done it before but it was great fun!

[claire777]

Go for it, you will love it and probably surprise yourself. If all else fails you can trot round the XC course. Theres no need to go flat out so just go and enjoy youreself and your pony :)

[lilholley]

Thanks for the encouragement guys - I appreciate it! its £32 to enter so I can't enter and not go.. But entries aren't in til 25th June :) I think I will attempt to get her fit enough, as that can only be a good thing!

Annoyingly, there's a very similar event there is June but its the one Saturday of the whole year that I'm on holiday!

I'm going to have to find somewhere for some XC schooling..

Claire - its at The Old Manor House, West Littleton - have you been there? You're local to me aren't you?

x

[Houndsfield]

My heart goes out for you - you so obviously WANT to do it....... but are very (understandably) nervous........ go take 'the bull by the horns'...... why not try to find somewhere to practise first........ go and trot upto and over a few jumps..... you might surprise yourself and enjoy it....... I really do hope so - sounds like you can do it - go on take a deep breath and enjoy............ (Pics please ;-))))).......)

[Houndsfield]

West Littleton is a lovely course..... have been there many times...... it's got some good hills...... so make sure you're both fit enough!