Hello eventers! I’m a former hunter rider that, last year, switched my lovely hunter mare to jumpers( much to the consternation of my hunter friends!). Then we dabbled in some hunter paces, and you can probably guess where this might be going! I think it’s time that I try some combined training. Since my switch to the jumpers, I have purchased a nice tb that l am really excited about. I’m in area 8, specifically central ohio. Can anyone recommend some nice horse trials in my area-give or take 2 hours? I don’t have a x country course at my farm, are there any places around to practice? I show at 3’6" usually, would training level be ok? Should I start at novice instead?
Many years and children ago, I did a few events with my current wb mares dam. I remember a place in Urbana that had a ton of jumps-does anyone know anything about that place? Any help you can give me would be great! I’m really excited to get out of the narcissistic world of horse showing-or at least have some other competitions to look forward to.
As an aside, my daughter has a pony that she would like to try a trial with also. He can do 2’ comfortably, maybe a 2’6" every whip stitch. Are there any courses that would be suitable for her near us? Thanks in advance
I can’t help you at all regarding Ohio, but welcome (back) to the dark side!
I would suggest your first outing definitely NOT be at Training level. Training has technical questions (jumps into water, ditch combinations, beginning corners and skinnies) that you need to school before meeting them in competition. Not only that, but the speed at Training means you need to be able to answer those questions and cope with the fitness and adjustability requirements.
You’ll want to scope out some schooling and go to your first HT and feel very confident that you can answer every question out there. While you’re at that first competition, walk the Training XC and see what you think. Then you’ll know what you need to prepare for, schooling-wise, if you want to move up.
Can’t help you with the places to school but you do need to before eventing (at least one)–and preferably with decent instruction.
Years ago when I switched from jumpers I did start at Training level…but I was both competing at a higher level in the jumpers…AND had a TON of schooling xc with some friends who competed at the 3*/4* level in eventing. I was fine…dressage was a much uglier phase for me than xc. But I would say that Training level has gotten more technical since then…and for your horse’s sake (more than yours)–assuming he is green to eventing, I’d do at least one novice first. Now if your horses isn’t green to competing…and you get a bunch of schooling done that goes well, I could see coming out at Training. But it would really depend on the schooling you got before competing.
Have fun!!
Boy, Lots of questions. 1st off for schooling there is Twin Towers open for free schooling right outside Yellow Springs. Best to call ahead to Greene County Parks to make sure they aren’t running dog trials or model airplane stuff. Some groups rent the whole park so it wouldn’t be open then. Greater Dayton Horse trials will be held there May 17 and 18th .Maybe go take a look, just to see what its about, and meet some people. Its very low key, and mostly locals. Redtail Ridge in Johnstown also has a XC course, but is on a private farm. You can call for XC availability. They may require you to ride with an instructor. Hearthstone in Urbana is long gone. You might look into the Northeast Ohio mini trial series. I think they run 6 or 7 maybe more mini trials. A good way to get your feet wet. You could also contact one of the Pony Clubs in your area for you daughter. Hunter’s Run is located in the Pataskala area. If you are closer to Dayton there is Stillwater Pony Club, but I heard they are full for this year. Pony Club DC’s are a wealth of info though.
If you evented years ago, please note, a lot has changed. As BFNE noted, training level would be pretty scary for the 1st time out. Instruction in Central Ohio is difficult, at best, but a good instructor can get you started. Beware of some who call themselves eventing instructors in this area. Check out their credentials. USEA records are a place to start.
Check with Jackie Smith, http://stonegatefarmeventing.blogspot.com/, she is located in Hanoverton, Ohio. I am sure she would be able to help.
My friend, Madeline Bletzacker, lives north of Columbus. She and her husband event. She is a good, positive instructor, too. Their farm is just off of the Polaris Parkway.
You could send a PM to Jackie Smith, as JackW suggested. She posts on here as JFS. She knows a lot of people in the eventing world, as does her son, Kyle.
As another person said, “Welcome back to the dark side!” 
Wow! Thanks for all the info! Ok-novice level it is. I guess now I have to actually get off my iPad and go check some of these places out! That’s a bummer about hearthstone- I just remember dragging my brand new boyfriend there to help me at an event, and Saturday night they had a huge cookout; pork chops on the grill, corn on the cob and troughs full of ice cold beer!! He was so dazzled, that’s probably half the reason he married me!!JK! Then the sad reality hit that H/J shows are no fun at all, incredibly boring and the management is always sort of pissed off.
Thanks again for the help and suggestions! That was exactly what I was looking for.
