Horse trials 2011

In June I am doing my first horse trial with my friend's horse, who is such an honest jumper. I am going to meet her gelding next week and start lessons with her on her horse the week after.

On June 26th i'll be doing it with her horse in the beginner devision and than on July 24th I'll be entering it with my horse in the intro devision (that is if all turns out alright with the vet check).

What should I be expecting going into a horse trial?

Do you have access to an Eventing Coach?

No, don't have access to an eventing coach, I really don't know one on the Island and eventing isn't a big thing over here and it's a rare find. I am kind of going in blind, I am assuming that's not a good thing.

My friend has some experience in eventing though.

On the Island? Where are you? Coast of British Columbia?

No, i'm in Long Island, New York.

OH! LOL!

Well, yes - ideally you want a Coach who can help you enter this sport safely and educatedly. This is a dangerous sport, that demands respect, regardless of what level you are doing. That's from GAG to 4*. Horses and Riders die doing this sport, and I've seen some nasty accidents at low levels.

So, when you venture into the sport, you want to be as prepared as you can be. Mentally and physically. Both horse and rider.

Do you have all the essential safety equipment? If not, do you have access to use of all essential safety equipement? Eventing Vest, Helmet, Medical Card?

At least you have someone to help you. You'll be doing 3 phases. Dressage, Cross Country and Stadium. Your friend should beable to help you out with preparing for these 3 phases and what to expect.

I highly encourage you to attend as many clinics as you can - even if you have to audit them - you will still learn a lot.

Welcome to the dark side! Stay safe!

I am mostly doing it for the training experience, can't believe I am going to spend $120 to event. I intended on attending the clinics before hand just so, I can get accustomed to what I should expect. I have never done 3 day eventing though so, I am excited and nervous a bit.

On the day of the XC and stadium, I'm sure it's different every where but, will they let me walk the course first to learn it or is it just shoot and go? Do you get time penalties if the horse runs around a jump? If I fail XC, will I be able to move on to the next event or not?

Although, I'm sure my friend will brief me, like she said she would it's not going to kill me to ask and make sure.

I will be buying an eventing vest a couple of weeks before the trial, I will be setting money aside for that, I have a helmet and a medical card, is health insurance for me if I get hurt i'm guessing? Can someone explain that? Also, can I use just a regular velvet riding helmet or do I have to buy a special kind of helmet for eventing?

I doubt your horse will be ready for that by June, based on the weight threads. He will be no where near fit enough, nor schooled enough.

My horse is not going in June, Alex, he's going in July. If he's not able to go than so be it but, I do plan to weight tape him before hand and have a vet check him over. I'm also going to bring not only my vet in but, another vet to get a second opinion.

He's been cleared for jumping before. Plus the horse trial I want to take my horse too is little cross rails. I read the website already. If the vet says not too, than he's not going, it's simple as that.

By the way he's looking better and definitely feeling better, just don't have updated pictures.

Intro Division: Open to riders and horses who have never competed in a combined
Training event. Division will require five entries to run.
Dressage: 2011 USDF Intro Test C
Stadium Jumping: Cross Rails
Modified Cross Country: Cross Rails

Right off the website. That's what I plan on doing with my horse so, if we do end up going I expect it to be a nice, run through. Does anyone know if all this is in 1 day or is literally 3 seperate days?