I'm doing a team chase!

[frostyfingers]

Gulp.....it's been on my bucket list and this is the first opportunity I've had so thought I'd better take it. Dhorse had jumping issues earlier this season but they seem to be resolved and since he flew a hedge and jumped lots of scary things hunting on Saturday I've taken the plunge and will be doing the Novice this Sunday.

No real reason for posting, except if I say it out loud then I can't back out! Any advice from those who have done one would be much appreciated as it's way beyond my normal hunter trial experience (and that was scary enough!).

your mad - but have heaps of fun!!!!

I did a few when I was at college a looong time ago. Its great fun & good atmosphere. Can't say much in the way of advice, I think I pretty much let my horse get on with it and hung on tight! Not sure I'd be brave enough now.

You mad bastard!!! I'm only jealous I haven't got the bollocks...

Have a great time. Kick on and hold tight!!

I'm just walked the course and and am now wetting myself! I've just dug out my neck strap in addition to the one already on horse's breastplate and will no doubt have a sleepless night......

The one good thing is that we are on early so although it means I have to get up at 5.30am I won't have to watch loads of teams going before us and have time to work myself up into more of a state!

Once you are on your horse the fences will look far smaller. That's why I love hunting - I don't walk the 'course' first! Good luck, kick on and enjoy!!

Walking it the day before is good. IME, the jumps grow (in your head) overnight and you're pleasantly surprised the next day. I used to love team chasing afterwards good luck.

How did it go frosty?

We did it and survived! 3 of us had never done it before, and the other hadn't done it for years. We all got round in one piece with no stops or falls (and we didn't get lost) - it was utterly terrifying as dhorse was on a mission and rather lost the plot. He was pulling so hard that he wasn't really concentrating on the jumps and a few were a little unstylish but we made it. They didn't seem to shrink that much but they come up so fast you don't really have time to think about them. We were told that we'd gone round really fast but even so were 50 secs off the optimum time of 6.28.

I wanted to stay and watch more of the Open (that really was scary) but there were a few delays and they were running a bit late and it wasn't fair on dhorse to hang around for ever. In the gate jumping the winner jumped 5' 5" - amazing to watch and I'm sure she could have gone higher if necessary.

I'd probably do that one again but I'm not sure I'm up to travelling round the country and doing loads of them, too terrifying.

Dhorse is now having a few weeks off after a full season's hunting (and his saddle is going to be reflocked) so he'll get some lovely spring grass and the sun on his back and then we'll start again with some hacking and fun rides.

I'm doing another......we have a very persuasive team leader and she caught me when I'd had a drink or two. Just got back from walking the course and gulp! Some of the hedges are large, very large for novice but hopefully horse will be so over excited again he won't notice that they're big and fly again. Wish me luck! That's my 6'0 tall son next to it by the way, just for comparison.