TRAINING ADVICE
Getting Started in
EVENTING
Deciding when to take the leap and step up to competing at British Eventing level can seem quite daunting . However , help is on hand from trainer and event rider , Harriet Morris-Baumber who offers tips and advice on getting started .
Taking the step up to British
Eventing can be a pivotal moment for many riders . Perhaps you feel that you have a talented horse that could make the grade or you just relish the challenge as a rider ? How to know when you are ready ?
To gain an insight into what is required at affiliated level , offer to help a friend for a day or assist / groom for a professional rider . This will give you an indication of what to expect on the day without the pressure of actually competing yourself . In the current climate there are restrictions , so make sure the COVID regulations are adhered to with regard to the number of people per horse allowed when attending an event .
BECOMING A MEMBER
To get a taste of the eventing scene you can purchase day tickets with British Eventing . This means you can experience the thrill of eventing without paying for a full or half membership . If you feel this discipline is for you , you can easily take out a membership which will allow you to enter as many competitions as you feel necessary around the country .
IS YOUR HORSE READY FOR THE CHALLENGE ?
Make sure that you and your horse are ready to take on the new challenge . Often British Eventing events have unaffiliated events running the day or weekend after their official event and these can be a great stepping stone into the British Eventing world . Completing a few of these before you decide to do your first British Eventing event would be a really good way of getting you and your horse ready for the real thing .
TRAINING
It is essential that you and your horse are fully prepared for the technical questions likely to be asked ; therefore correct training is paramount to your chances of success .
Making sure you have good support from a coach that has experience of competing at affiliated events will really help . An experienced trainer will already know what is involved and will be able to guide you in what to expect
16 • EVERYTHING HORSE : DECEMBER 2020