| Author | Message | ||
     foto-forum Posted From: 80.4.224.4 |
We have large entries in the south & wessex areas so we tend to find that everyone has gone by the last class whatever format we use. Feedback from competitors is positive regarding the new format, and long may it continue!! | ||
| laura middlemiss Posted From: 88.105.50.127 |
I must admit I have noticed that it does seem to allow far more chance for competitors to spectate the other classes on the obstacles. Might need to canvas opinion to find out if this is a positive or negative LOL Don't know how different our club is but most seem to stay for the presentation at the end. We don't have lots entering ( usually around 20 ) as club relatively new / small so that might make a difference ? | ||
| Foto-forum Posted From: 80.4.224.4 |
I find driving two obstacles one after the other anything but dull, check out the times achieved they are nearly always better. Also it gives you the chance of trying a different route second time around. As for the rossette presentation sadly at our events, most people go after their second drive regardless of which format they drive, so dont see a huge difference there? Still feel 2 obs straight through is better, we now get time to chat to fellow competitors instead of running to put to all the time!! Cheers | ||
| Fiona Gordon-Clarke Posted From: 81.155.171.205 |
Just three small points about driving the same obstacles twice: 1) I find it less of a challenge mentally to drive the same ones twice and consequently rather dull 2) often it means too many people in the warm up area so those of use trying to warm up to go in run the risk of hitting those just walking around. More than 4 in an indoor school comes close to beng dangerous and the organisers should consider there liabilities arising from this. 3) I like the presentation at the end as it is nice to be presented with your rosettes in front of evryone. I know it means hanging asround but we all have to at some time during the day. | ||
| David J W Taylor Posted From: 81.157.227.122 |
Aggree absolutely with Beverly (Foto-forum) - it is less stress to keep the horses warmed up and running, especially in cold weather - rather than in and out of activity - just like a car! | ||
| foto-forum Posted From: 80.4.224.4 |
I absolutely agree that benefits exceed the downfalls (of which I can only see one, and that is more maintenance required at some venues perhaps, ie raking half way through?) But, I cannot agree that it is harder on the ponies, it avoids another set of harnessing up and warming up before the final set of obstacles, only requiring you to keep your horse or pony walking around before it is time to go again. At Merrist Wood and Sparsholt we do the dressage and cones straight after each other staying in harness, this is so much better for all. I cant think why you think it might take more out. The ponies are actually in harness a shorter length of time overall, and have plenty of time to get their breath back, afterall you only usually spend a couple of mins on each round? 4 sets of warming up and cooling down in addition to the actual competition, must be more tiring than staying in harness for 2 sessions? | ||
| laura middlemiss Posted From: 88.105.61.8 |
I can only speak as a steward that does the timing of the obstacles so far ........... but I have noticed that the benefits appear to outweigh any disadvantages with the new system. The horses stand around less and are not being unharnessed then put to again, and repeated so much through the day as well as being finished earlier. I have noticed also that almost inevitabley the times improve the second go at the same obstacles . Could the second chance be more benefit than any drag from rutting ??? | ||
| DICK LANE Posted From: 86.143.43.205 |
ALAN,I MUST POINT OUT THAT I AM TOTALLY IN FAVOUR OF DRIVING THE SAME TWO OBSTACLES TWICE,I THINK WE MUST PROGRESS THE INDOOR DRIVING TO ACCOMADATE THE WISHES OF THE COMPETITORS.AT MERRIST WOOD WE HAVE BEEN TAKING OVER 40 ENTRIES FOR EACH EVENT & WERE ONE OF THR FIRST REGIONS TO TRY THIS NEW FORMAT WHICH HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY ALL.MY POINT IS THAT EVENT ORGANIZERS WHO RUN THIS NEW SYSTEM NEED TO AWARE THAT THEY MUST CARRY OUT SOME MAINTENANCE OF THE ARENA SURFACE DURING & AFTER THE OBSTACLE PHASE OF THE COMPETITION.AS I SEE IT THERE IS NO FAULT WITH SURFACE ITSELF ONLY FOR US TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING. | ||
| Alan Posted From: 83.138.189.76 |
Dick, I think you are right about the surface being cut up when the same obstacles are driven twice without changing the route. This could have an impact on the sport country-wide if the arena owners get wise to it. Small pony,ie under 11hh, drivers are already aware of the difference it makes on the second round of obstacles, and some no longer enter at certain venues which are known to be deep towards the end of the day especially with the new fashion of not re-lettering the gates. | ||
| DICK LANE Posted From: 86.143.43.205 |
BEV,I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SURFACE AT MERRIST WOOD ARENA IS ALSO RUTTING UP BADLY & I PUT THIS DOWN TO THE FACT THAT LIKE YOU WE ARE DRIVING THE SAME TWO OBSTACLES TWICE,WHICH MEANS THAT WE NOW GET AROUND 80 CARRIAGES DRIVING OVER THE SAME TRACKS ! I HAVE FOUND THAT LEVELLING THE WORST HOLES BY HAND WITH A RAKE DURING THE COMPETITION HELPS & A QUICK LEVEL OFF AT THE END OF THE DAY BEFORE THE ARENA STAFF SEE IT ALSO HELPS ! | ||
| Fotoforum Posted From: 80.4.224.4 |
Fiona WHHC member Martin Willis is currently enquiring about the surface with the manufacturer. We have had no probs for last 3 seasons, and it could mean the end of Wessex!!! So WHHC have decided not to take it lying down, however if a centre has decided not to accomodate you, they only have to say they have no dates for us and that will be the end of it! Anyway fingers crossed the gang can either sort with manufacturer or find an alternative, which would be hard pressed to beat Sparsholt now it is established. Cheers Bev | ||
| Fiona Powell Username: Fionap Registered: 12-2003 |
Bev, this is a shame - it would be interesting to hear what the manufacturer of the surface says about this, wouldn't it? Do you know who it is because it'd be useful to know, just in case some innocent carriage driver is having one laid in the near future? The manufacturer/supplier might also be interested in making any new surfaces more carriage-friendly. We have not had any problems so far: fortunately, our arena owners in Norfolk and East Anglia love having us and can't do enough for us. Hope this keeps up! | ||
| Foto-forum Posted From: 80.4.224.4 |
Wessex region organisers WHHC have been told that they will not be taking bookings for any further events at Sparsholt due to the carriages damaging the surface (they will honor all booking to end of season). A great pity as the venue is well situated for several counties and has become very popular with drivers. Have any other regions had a problem? |