It has been many moons since I’ve done a hunter trial, and the last one was a very different sort than the one advertised in the PFH’s brochure. I don’t know if it is because I am dying to go do ANYTHING that resembles a competition with my horse, the fact that I dearly want to do something to be part of the foxhunting community (having missed my window of opportunity to try and prepare Toby for hunting this summer- not willing to just take him out to “see how he does.”), or that the hunter trials are more or less around the corner, but I REALLY want to go!
Anyone care to give some insight on what to expect? Like I said, it has been ages since I’ve done a hunter trial, and this is far different than the one I did. This reads more like a hunter show, but over an outside course. Do I need to ditch our figure eight and borrow a flat bridle? What kind of things should I expect in the handy round (please, for the love of all that is holy, don’t say dismount and re-mount. We can do it, but I WILL climb on a jump)? Will I be hating life if I don’t have studs (he was just shod and I don’t really want to pay to have him drilled and tapped for ONE outing!)? Do I braid (I’m not even sure if it is correct to braid if you’re in cubbing attire!)?
It has been a full year and a few weeks since my horse and I have competed over fences, and we’ve been back to jumping for a month or so now and have missed it tremendously! This seems like a fun, no pressure, interesting way to get us out and about. Also, I will take any excuse I can get to wear my tweed. Thoughts, encouragement, discouragement, and other things appreciated.
