Have you ever dreamed of going three day eventing but thought in reality it was never going to happen? Well, the Milton Keynes unaffiliated Three Day Event (May 28-30th) could be the long weekend of challenges and fun that makes that dream come true.
Twice a year the Milton Keynes Event Centre gives riders and horses of all abilities the chance to take part in a professionally run competition following FEI and BE guidelines. But not only do you get tested on your dressage, cross country (see vid from 2009 below) and show jumping skills but you get to experience those elements which were controversially dropped from many top competitions, namely the roads and tracks, and steeplechase.
On top of this there's lots more to make it feel like the real deal, especially if you, your horse and helpers stay on site. Not only is there an 'equine village', shopping village and mess tent but entertainment is provided every night with good food and a bar available. All in all, it should be a fantastic atmosphere.
It sounds so brilliant that we're going along to find out what it's all about. And we'll be taking particular interest in Trot ON member Hayley Tolson who is going to take part for the first time. Unfortunately Hayley's more experienced horse Mr Marks had to be withdrawn so she has entered her young homebred mare instead. Hayley says that Willow is very green but "feisty, bold as brass and intelligent too." "She was a bit of a madam until I started to work her but now she's got a job to do, she's turned into a different horse."
So this is a steep learning curve for the both of them. Although Hayley was originally entered in a bigger class, luckily MKE have introduced a class 0 (2ft 3) which is just the thing to give a novice horse a confidence boosting start.
Hayley told me that they also provide riders with lots of advice beforehand on how to prepare and what to pack, and when you're there you're given a briefing and a course walk.
She may be really looking forward to cross country but the element Hayley's most anxious about is the roads, tracks and steeplechase because of the tricky timing. "In the higher classes you have to go at quite a pace too and you'd need a horse that's super fit."
Giving vent to my shallow side, I asked her what she'd be wearing for the 'trot up' "Well we're told to wear riding clothes or smart casual but I think I'll be getting a friend to do that part as after breaking my leg last year I'm extremely lame!"
If you want to find out about Hayley's preparations, the actual event, or maybe you've got some valuable advice or you just want to wish her and Willow good luck, then look out for her posts in the Eventing group. And let us know if you've been or plan to go.
And don't worry if you miss out this time because they're holding another 3DE 16-18 September.
Source: http://blog.trotontv.com/2011/05/your-three-day-event-dreams-could-come.html
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