XC Question

This is probably a stupid question, but I don't ride XC, but I am wondering... how do you know the course? Do you walk it (seems like that would be a LONG walk). Do you have a course map? Are the jumps numbered?

Curious to know how you figure out where you are supposed to go.

Nope you have a handy little spot right between the ears to put the gps! Ya just kiddin, you probably have a map to memorize

All 3 are correct. The event will give a course map and the jumps are numbered. The numbers are colored according to division. Beginner novice is yellow, novice is white, training is black, preliminary is green, intermediate is red, and advanced is blue. You are supposed to walk the course at leat three times generally so that you can physically map out turns and striding.

Thanks for the replies.

How long is a typical XC course? Do you get to walk it on horseback? Or do you have to walk it with your feet (I know, that sounds silly, LOL).

The horse is not allowed to see the course before riding it that weekend. If you show your horse the course you get eliminated. Beginner novice courses average about 16 jumps, novice is about 18, training is about 21, and so on. Advanced goes to almost 30. And those are only the numbered jumps. This number doesnt count the second, third, or fourth parts of a combination. If you were to count the number of efforts actually jumped, the number for beginner novice would go up to about 20

What about distance? Is it miles you ride, or just through a field? Or does it vary. Seems like a pretty tough competition. I'm hoping to photograph a few events in the near future.

My experience with XC is that its in a big field that you navigate around. Its usually hilly and sometimes bushy so you can't just see all the jumps.

I always walk the course - its annoying because you have to wear what you would be wearing on the course - so you can't do the walk in comfy sneakers, you have to wear you boots and helmet.

The jumps are numbered and often there is a map, if not you can make your own. Generally its pretty easy though, at least at the lower levels, you can often see the next jump.

Thanks for the info. Appreciate it!

I Did Cross Country Competition And It Was Roughly 3kms Long Going Through Different Feilds And Woods:)

Eventerdrew Is All Right Obviosly.(Her Name Eventer And The Pic Make It Obvious Jst So People don't Think im Being Smart:))

They give you a map usually the day before the show and all the jumps are numbered. Also every level has its own color. The number for BN is yellow and white, Novice is black on white, Training is white on black and prelim is white on green so you know which number each jump is and which level. And yes you walk the course to know where your going. I usually walk it twice.