Jump Start vs Middle Tennesse Pony Club Horse Trials

[Jump314]

I have taken my OTTB to a couple of unrecognized, one day, horse trials and I am interested in going to our first recognized event. Lexington and Nashville are both a reasonable drive for me.

Would you recommend Jump Start (October 1 and 2) or MTPC (October 8 and 9)? Which one has better footing? Which one has better courses?

If I am reading the omnibus correctly, it looks like Jump Start will cost $325 (Entry + Stall + KHP Fee + USEA Non-member fee) and MTPC will cost $375 (Entry + Stall + USEA Non-member fee).

Both say that the office fee is included in the entry fee. Are the USEA Starter and D&M fees also included or would I need to add an additional $21?

Thanks!

[pony_grandma]

What division? I am assuming BN or N.

I would suggest also looking at posted speeds as you progress thru the entry processes as you go. Altho for your first trips out do not be so concerned about speed faults. Ride for the experience and build confidence. Middle TN runs at a slighter higher speed 350 at BN vs JS 325 at BN: MTN 400 at N vs JS 375 at N; then strangely it reverses starting at T where JS runs faster speeds.

Jeff Kibble is the course designer for JS and he also did Midsouth in June and those courses were beefy; pretty maxed out in eventer jargon. But at the intro lower levels that may not be so true since they are designed to be more inviting. I would say do a search on Youtube for videocams of past courses. And I would favor those who post who have personal experience with what level you are at. I just wanted to point out another factor to consider when deciding.

[Ready_To_Riot]

MTPC is a beefy course. Or has been in years past. Jump start is supposed to be a move up course, but I’ve heard it’s no longer that way. Despite me living here in Nashville, I’m probably going to do jumpstart since I’m assuming it will still be easier than MTPC. It will be my horses first recognized in a very long time as well.

[Jump314]

Oops, I should have mentioned the division…Beginner Novice. My horse has been fantastic at all of our outings so far. We did BN at Spring Run last month and the speed was 300 mpm. We kept a steady canter and were about 30 seconds faster than optimum time.

Can someone please answer my question about USEA Starter and D&M fees? I’ve only ever done hunter/jumper shows so I want to make sure I send the right amount of money with my entry.

I’ll go watch some videos on youtube now, great idea! Thanks!

[Littleluck55]

We took about 8 pony clubbers to JS for their first recognized show last year and they all did well at BN. JS is at the Kentucky Horse Park so the facilities are very nice. I don’t know anything about MTPC. One word of advice though, if you go to JS get your entry in very early as there were wait lists in almost every division and many did not get in.

I have always had to pay the $21 and it is in addition to the entry. Not sure since you are a non-member of USEA if that applies though.

[GutsNGlory]

Fees answer first - yes, the $21 USEA fee is in addition to the entry fee so calculate that into things as well.

As for which event, well I think that would depend on your horse and comfort level. I’ve competed at both events and I’d deem them both pretty inviting. Last year I did both on my more green horse - Jump Start was her first recognized and MTPC was her second, both at Novice. Here are my comparisons on the two:

Footing - You can’t get much better than the KHP for footing! Especially in September, the ground is typically about perfect for JS. That being said, I found the footing at Percy Werner pretty good for MTPC last year. One thing important to note is that MTPC runs dressage on grass, while JS uses the dressage complex at the KHP.

XC courses - I thought both courses were pretty inviting last year, but I also know the builder/course designer for MTPC and what to expect from him in his courses (he also builds/designs for IEA). When JS first brought in the new designer two years ago, the courses were far more beefy than usual for the event, but last year all seemed like usual as a end of season move up type event. KHP has more terrain to the courses than PW and I think the water at KHP is slightly more inviting than the one at PW.

Stadium courses - The ring used for stadium at MTPC is pretty small so expect most lines to be related distances and tighter turns. It was a fun course though - rode very much like a jumper round for me. Warm up is on grass (same used for xc warm up). JS always has good courses that ride well. Warm up and stadium run in the rings east of the barns.

Show atmosphere - I think the KHP has a bigger atmosphere and can be more for a greenie to take in, where things at MTPC are a little calmer.

Facilities - I prefer the facilities at KHP (permanent stabling, wash racks, bathrooms, camping available, etc) over MTPC (mostly tent stabling, no camping/electrical, wash areas in grass got messy). But I also stabled at a barn off site and trailered in for MTPC to save money, so it wasn’t awful.

Show management - Both great in regards to organizers/secretaries. There were some issues with the TD at MTPC last year, but I think they are using someone else this year.

I’m not really sure what else to include… hopefully those notes help you make a decision! I was thinking about doing both events again this year with different horses, but didn’t realize until your post that they were back to back weekends. Hmmm…

[Jump314]

Wow, GutsNGlory, thank you for the very detailed post. I was leaning towards MTPC since I will have that Friday off from work (and not the Friday before JS) plus there will be plenty of events to go to at KHP next year. Your comments about the stadium course and the facilities have made me reconsider.

[GutsNGlory]

What unrecognized events have you done? It’s very possible you’ve done events already that are similar to the course/space/facilities at MTPC and won’t have any issues. I think it is easy for a lot of us to prefer the KHP - it is truly a world class facility. But there are a lot of events there all year and you are right - you can always show there next year.

If you do decide on MTPC, I just recommend entering on opening day to try to get a stall in the permanent barn vs the tent.

[pony_grandma]

I would say that having the Friday off would be the weekend to pick. That would make everything run smoother for you. And really at BN the details are not as big a deal. In a tighter stadium ring - USE those corners to rebalance and set your horse up!

My vote is for you having the time you need to walk your courses and get the horse out and about more, even hand walking. Having Friday night to ride in the dressage area is primo.

[Jump314]

This is my horse’s first year off the track and my first year eventing. I have always done hunters, jumpers, and equitation up to 3’6" with previous horses. Eventing is so much fun! I volunteered at Flying Cross a couple weeks ago and I noticed event riders actually look like they are having fun.

My current horse and I did a few 2’ and 2’6" hunter shows then we schooled cross country at Masterson and at the May KHP schooling day. We did one mini trial at Flying Cross (Starter) and one at Spring Run (BN). I also plan to go to the Blackhorse Stables (BN) mini trial in mid-September. At Spring Run, we finished in the top five so I think we are prepared enough for a recognized BN event. I am looking forward to the new experience.

[GutsNGlory]

Okay yeah you will be FINE at MTPC - the ring is not any smaller than the one at Spring Run for stadium Use the corners to balance and you’ll do great.

[Potato]

I’ve competed at both events in the last 4 or so years. They both have pros and cons, and would both likely be a great first event!

MTPC will be a quieter venue, but with less perks (think tent stabling and no wash racks). Dressage is on grass, stadium is in an arena as Guts N Glory mentioned, but it’s not a small arena by any means. I ran the prelim there so can’t really comment on their BN xc but they have a nice field and warm up was large.

Jump Start will be much bigger and more chaotic, from everything including the hack down to dressage between barns on pavement to warmups. However, stadium footing is excellent, dressage is on sand, and they almost always have great inviting xc courses.

Personal story: I used JS as a first event for a greenie 2 years ago, and it all went great except for getting down to dressage. They had Paso Finos stabled in the barns we had to hack through, and they were working on their little decking boards. I very nearly died as green horse spun in circles on pavement to get away from the thundering paso finos. Just something to keep in mind, expect anything and everything to happen at the KHP.

It sounds like you are more than ready to go have a great time at whatever event you choose! Good luck!

[Jersey_Fresh]

[QUOTE=Potato;8767912]
I’ve competed at both events in the last 4 or so years. They both have pros and cons, and would both likely be a great first event!

MTPC will be a quieter venue, but with less perks (think tent stabling and no wash racks). Dressage is on grass, stadium is in an arena as Guts N Glory mentioned, but it’s not a small arena by any means. I ran the prelim there so can’t really comment on their BN xc but they have a nice field and warm up was large.

Jump Start will be much bigger and more chaotic, from everything including the hack down to dressage between barns on pavement to warmups. However, stadium footing is excellent, dressage is on sand, and they almost always have great inviting xc courses.

Personal story: I used JS as a first event for a greenie 2 years ago, and it all went great except for getting down to dressage. They had Paso Finos stabled in the barns we had to hack through, and they were working on their little decking boards. I very nearly died as green horse spun in circles on pavement to get away from the thundering paso finos. Just something to keep in mind, expect anything and everything to happen at the KHP.

It sounds like you are more than ready to go have a great time at whatever event you choose! Good luck![/QUOTE]

My horse is not green but I refuse to ride him down to dressage. I cant stomach the thought of a dumb spook and me or my head hitting the pavement.

[Chouteau]

I’ve gone to both in the past 3 years & my vote for you would also be Middle TN (even though I am the one GutsNGlory is referring to that had those issues with the TD last year- they have a different one this year and show mangement was fabulous). The Friday off will make everything much easier & the atmosphere at the KYHP is a lot for a green horse. The first time I went to the KYHP, I was running training (I’m a h/j convert too with one I got right off the track & we learned to event together) so he wasn’t green - w/ a year at each level doing 7-9 events a year including a trip to the AECs - he lost his lid in dressage warm up (highest dressage score we’ve ever had, I was just happy we stayed in the ring:) and was a complete basket case until I could run it off of him on xc. It is a treat to get to compete at the horse park but it is a bit of a pain too - with parking being so far away and the schedule is difficult (for me anyway). Good luck & have fun!!