Back to back horse trials -- thoughts?

[normandy_shores]

[QUOTE=Blugal;8416943]
When I did back-to-back one-day events 10-15 years ago, the organizers would make the XC course about as short as allowed and would also reduce the speed sometimes. Less walking for the riders and less pounding for the horses.[/QUOTE]

I’ll be curious what the courses look like considering the course designer usually puts on challenging courses.

I’m all for anything to can get the numbers up – and had thought the benefits seemed to be in the logistics. Travelling once and getting more competition time, especially since both of these events are in areas where many are hauling in from a bit of a distance. I was curious whether people would enter them back to back, as I have not been around eventing long enough to have seen this.

As for less work, my horse doesn’t work that hard over 4 days, and I don’t do 3 day jump clinics. Granted, he’s well schooled and a teenager and I’m very conscious of a less is more approach with him. He’s also not a young super fit TB.

Thabks Blugal for confirming the format, I was very disappointed to miss the AGM!

[Foxtrot_s]

We are talking about Chase, BC. Nick knows what he is doing, so that passes in my opinion. But it is early in the year, so riders have to plan their fitness program to make it work.

[normandy_shores]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8417015]
We are talking about Chase, BC. Nick knows what he is doing, so that passes in my opinion. But it is early in the year, so riders have to plan their fitness program to make it work.[/QUOTE]

I never implied he didn’t, I’m always excited to see what he comes up with. He also usually does the course for Topline, and they are also offering back to backs (and not as early).

[sunhawk]

2 events held over 4 days sounds like loads of fun and I’m stoked and plan on being ready. The biggest issue I see for those that actually have to work for a living and aren’t independently wealthy, I see a 6 day weekend…as one day will be needed to haul there and some of us are too bloody tired to drive home the afternoon or evening after an event is done

[Blugal]

When Chase (and Westbank) used to do back-to-back one-days, they also made day 1’s XC course harder than day 2’s. That way people could use it as a move up.

This will probably be addressed in the omnibus when it comes out, but if anyone needs to know, they can phone the organizer.

[Foxtrot_s]

Hey - Normandy - I didn’t mean to imply that you implied that he didn’t know what he was doing — I was meaning to confirm. Oops.

[normandy_shores]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8417175]
Hey - Normandy - I didn’t mean to imply that you implied that he didn’t know what he was doing — I was meaning to confirm. Oops.[/QUOTE]

No worries, I just wanted to make sure it was clear I wasn’t making any judgement about anything. All good!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

@normandy_shores;8416956

As for less work, my horse doesn’t work that hard over 4 days, and I don’t do 3 day jump clinics. Granted, he’s well schooled and a teenager and I’m very conscious of a less is more approach with him. He’s also not a young super fit TB.

And that’s why it really depends on the horse. If I had an older teenage horse and if this would be a lot for him, then I wouldn’t do both. I have a nice mare with an old injury who I wouldn’t do it on either as I am conservative with her jumping, especially xc. But most of my younger horses, this wouldn’t be a reach on them. Just because an event is offered, you still have to make the management choice for your particular horse.

[Kairoshorses]

We do back-to-back events at Coconino every year (Flagstaff).

It’s a long drive for many (12 hours for me), so it’s REALLY nice to be able to stay there during the week.

We often have schooling jumper and dressage rides in between.

It’s cool weather with little/no humidity, with beautiful woods to hack out in between trials. Folks often plan trips to Sedona or the Grand Canyon in between.

I can get instruction almost every day in between, which is something I can’t get at home.

Sometimes folks move up (say, Novice to Training). Sometimes folks do only one of the two weekends. Sometimes folks do the same level both weekends (I’ve done this on multiple occasions). The second weekend is normally a N and T 3DE, so that factors in, too.

I can see it being problematic all the time, but this event does it really well, with good footing good planning. I don’t think the courses are shortened, but they’re not maxed out height or speed, either.

[normandy_shores]

Y

[QUOTE=Kairoshorses;8417593]
We do back-to-back events at Coconino every year (Flagstaff).

It’s a long drive for many (12 hours for me), so it’s REALLY nice to be able to stay there during the week.

We often have schooling jumper and dressage rides in between.

It’s cool weather with little/no humidity, with beautiful woods to hack out in between trials. Folks often plan trips to Sedona or the Grand Canyon in between.

I can get instruction almost every day in between, which is something I can’t get at home.

Sometimes folks move up (say, Novice to Training). Sometimes folks do only one of the two weekends. Sometimes folks do the same level both weekends (I’ve done this on multiple occasions). The second weekend is normally a N and T 3DE, so that factors in, too.

I can see it being problematic all the time, but this event does it really well, with good footing good planning. I don’t think the courses are shortened, but they’re not maxed out height or speed, either.[/QUOTE]

The particular situation we are referring to is not back to back weekends, but literally back to back. Back to back weekends with instruction in the middle and less travelling would be awesome!