First BE ODE next month, any advice welcome!

[Rollingdinosaur]

I am finally taking the plunge, and having a go at a proper affiliated ODE next month, if I don't get balloted out. I am excited, and somewhat terrified. I have done several unaffiliated ones, and not made a complete tit of myself, so this seems like the logical next step.

I would be interested to hear any tips, or ideas of what to expect, from those in the know. Will the standard be a lot higher? Will I look a prat, as a lot of my gear is on the cheap side, and I will be turning up in 4WD and trailer, rather than a swanky lorry. I am also not sure on the hat standard required, it mentions PAS 015, and kitemark. Does that mean it needs both? My hat has the kite mark, but not the other bit. I suspect that means I need a new hat, but I don't want to fork out for one if I don't need to. Any tips will be gratefully accepted, thanks.

Yup! Just been thinking over our progress since July 2015. We really were completely incompetent just over a year ago, struggling to stay inside the white boards and to get over any fence which was a colour or had flowers on it! It has taken a lot more work and schooling and lessons than I thought it would, but it has been so absorbing, and fun. Something I really needed after 10 years of looking after children and doing boring work after giving up an interesting job.

Well nothing at all to report here, apart from I am getting more and more grumpy about the lack of a horse. I have now paid to have two horses vetted, both failed, so I've spent about £600 with no horse to show for it. I keep thinking it would be sensible to stop looking, and start again after the worst of the winter. Then I find myself trawling through adverts, regardless. I'm going to look at a couple this weekend, but I'm not hopeful anything will come of it. This is far far harder than I thought it'd be. Hope everyone else is doing well?

Hey, just spotted our thread in the active list! Post lunch cup of tea time.....

What did they fail on Rolling? I always think vettings are like house surveys, they should be taken more for advice than for a buy/not buy decision. Although obviously it can affect future resale. I think it's probably a good time to look, as they must be fewer buyers around at this time of year, so more scope for negotiation. By the time you've got something it won't be far off Christmas, and then you'll only have a few months to get going before the weather starts to improve and you want to be out doing things.

The first one failed on slight lameness behind, which the vet thought might be just from sore feet from having no back shoes on. We arranged that as they wanted the sale to go through quickly, they would take the horse to the vets the next week to be re checked with shoes on, then drop it off to me on the way back if it passed.

They called me on the day to say they'd had a crash. It then all got a bit weird, as they were insisting I rearranged the vetting straight away. I didn't want to, as apparently the horse had just been in a crash so I suggested giving it a few days, to make sure it was ok. They contacted me 3 days later to say they'd sold it to someone else.

The second one showed slight intermittent lameness and had swelling around the hocks. Vet was concerned about OCD. I did loads of research and decided it was too much of a risk. So here I am, grumpy and horseless!

Oh yes, you had said about the weird one. I've just googled OCD and it doesn't sound like a risk worth taking - no straightforward prognosis and treatment.

Let us know how the viewings go.

Yay, Opening Meet yesterday and I survived! Dhorse was very happy (he even loaded well on the way there) and jumped beautifully. I will admit to being knackered and a little achey but thrilled to be back in the swing of it.

Hooray Frosty!! So pleased you had a good day and well done for surviving!!! I made it out cubbing this morning to try out new brakes and they worked!! Thank goodness. Our opening meet is Saturday but I'm aiming for next Wednesday which is our first vale day. Brave pants will be required!!

Ah, brakes - still working on those, what did you have success with? Currently using a Dr Bristol with a Micklem and we're nearly there but not completely happy. He leans, (hates Waterford though & seems to prefer lozenge type), hates having his nose strapped so flash and grakle best avoided and is mighty strong..... An old fashioned "rope" gag with two sets of reins has been suggested so trying to source one of those to borrow. The added complication that the sides of his mouth are very prone to rubbing & have been known to open up which is why it's such a nightmare.

Such a relief when the brakes work. Horse was unrecognisable yesterday from the lout of the previous time. He's now in a NS Waterford nelson gag and the difference was amazing. Bizarrely he prefers this to the old fashioned Cheltenham or balding gags I tried last year. The Bit Bank were really good with their advice.

Glad to see people are getting out. Sounds like the knee is holding up well Frosty!?

The knee is ok, a little sore and swollen after 3 long days hunting but back to normal within a few hours so I think it should be fine.

Any progress on the horse search yet? There seem to be loads of ads on my FB page but as I'm not looking I've no idea if they're dross or any good. Fingers crossed something turns up for you soon.

Frosty I think I have a NS Cheltenham gag approx 5-5.5? in the tack room if you would like to try by post? What is a nelson gag gin??

Lovely day today. Children on half term for opening meet! Younger daughter aged 8 jumped her first hunt jump! I missed all the gassing and was at the back most of the day but would not have swapped my day with the daughters for any hedge hopping and gossiping!

And I have a NS Balding gag which I need to sell if you would like to try that. It's a 5.5.

The nelson gag has full cheeks to help steering and then usual running cheek pieces. So far so good.

Just had our first vale day of the season which was beautifully sunny but no scent and, hugely disappointing, but hardly any jumping. Unheard of in the vale. Am still in shock!!

Thank you both - he's takes a 6" bit so they'd be too small but I'll have a look at both those and see if someone has one for me to try. The one thing about hunting people is that everyone you ask has loads of bits stashed away, all sorts have appeared and are awaiting trial! I'm having another go with the Micklem/Dr Bristol and will then revert to the cavesson/Dr Bristol to see if there's a difference. This could take all season.

Scent has been difficult this season but it's getting chillier now so fingers crossed - I'm help with trail laying and it's tricky!

I have a horse!!!!! I didn't want to say anything until he'd passed the vet and I'd got him home in case I jinxed it, but I am now the proud owner of a 5 year old Warmblood gelding.

How exciting, I'm sure the wait was worth it. When you have a moment I'd love to hear all about him......(and possibly a pic too!)

That's so exciting!!! More details please. So pleased you've found one.

Another day hunting today. Better scent so more fun. Hooray! And dear horse was a little tired from Wednesday's exertions so was less strong. Hooray! Jumped brilliantly though.

Yes please, pics and full specification rolling!

I've been trying and failing to get a decent picture of him all week, so these will have to do. He is very sweet natured, and hasn't put a foot wrong so far, although I think he's still a bit shell shocked from the move.

Oops, posted under the wrong name. but that's the new boy.

He looks very sweet, how big is he? I also notice he has a lovely large round bottom - lots of power there I think!

He's only about 16hh, he has certainly been very sweet so far!

Nice looking beast! What have you been doing with him so far?

So far, we have managed, two hacks, one lesson, one lunging session, and two schooling session at home, in the 10 days or so I've had him. He has been remarkably calm about everything, and taken it all in his stride. My instructor got on him, and agreed with me he's got potential,, so feeling very positive about things so far. We had our first canter in a field together today, and he was a perfect gentleman.

Hooray! Are you thinking about next spring yet......? Any eventing goals? You can tell us, you don't have to tell anyone in RL!