| Author | Message | ||
     Joanna Bassett |
Thanks! Im going to do the indoors this season, with my midi shetland, but i wanted to try some outdoors with her next year, and wanted to make sure she didnt have to do the whole thing! My new (bigger) pony should be coming soon, but i dont want my shetland to be completly forgotten about! I've been down at forest farm for a few days, practicing things, but of course, forgot to ask all this stuff while i was there. Tnanks again, Jo | ||
| Fiona Powell |
Don't we love to confuse! Apologies that this is a long answer. Please let me try to explain... In ye olden days the marathon used to be five sections, A was the first (now allowed at "any pace"), B was a compulsory walk, C was a "fast trot", D another walk and E is the any-pace-until-the-last-500m yummy bit with the obstacles in it. There's normally a compulsory 10-minute halt after each walk. This is still what's done in a five section marathon but not many events run them. Partly because many competitors these days prefer shorter marathons for various reasons and also because, at the top end, international events have only three-section marathons, many clubs and nationals run three sections and these are usually called A, B (or D! - a walk) and E which is always the section with the obstacles. So you don't get to choose... So, to try to answer your questions: the marathon length is the total length of the sections, including the walk. You might also have a short distance to go to the start of A, from the end of each section to the next and to/from the halt and end of E (usually a few hundred yards at most). When the marathon is one section it's E (and has the obstacles in it). A one-section marathon would, in my minimal experience, usually be at a smaller club event, perhaps a one-day event, or your class might do section E only at a bigger event. You'll be told which obstacles your class drives, which might mean you miss out one or more which the other classes drive. Some of the obstacles are marked with lettered gates from A to D, E or F: you would ignore the F gates (so you can drive through F "forwards" or "backwards" at any time without incurring penalties) but drive the other gates as normal. Please don't apologise for asking. Good idea to read the guidelines and rules before you start, as you are doing! I hope my history lesson helps a bit! If you are planning to go outdoors, it's useful background prep. to watch some indoor events in your area and chat to a few people who are competing if you aren't doing this already. You might wangle your way into doing some dressage/cones grooming - there's usually someone who needs a bod on the back - and make some friends who, I'm sure, will help you to compete when you are ready. Download Mike Watts' free "Groom's Guide to HDT" from his website www.mikewatts.com, see the bottom of the page - and look at loads of pics and a few videos which might help to inspire you further! Enjoy our wonderful sport... | ||
| Joanna Bassett |
I was looking at the bit about pre novice classes, and it says 'Marathon 1 or 3 Sections, 8 to 12 km, 4 to 6 obstacles, gates max. to E. ' Does this mean, if one were to compete, you would only have to do one section of the marathon? And would you get to choose, or would the club decide? And does is have to add up to between 8 and 12km if you were to do 3 sections? Sorry, im hoping to do some outdoors next year, and just trying to understand what would be required. Thankyou, Joanna |