Hay Nancy, welcome : )!

Thanks to Ash, I can commandeer her design, thank you Ash : )

Shouldn't have a bending line (seen on right) in Beginners, generally (altho four strides or more between eliminates the bending line, sort of : ). Other than that, you might want to add a simple change of direction (any lead changes would be pretty obvious and easy to land into as well as optional depending on course order, riders jumping should be able to manage natural changes). Standard BH would be something like two fences on each long side, with a 'figure-8' addition thru the center: one or two fences on a diagonal, one if it's tight: that will answer your 5 fence request. At least two strides between each fence. Plenty of room for adjustment in a 60 x 140 and with this design. 18" to 2' would be the height range (not sure on that one, been a long time and my rule book is not immediately handy, plus, i am going by USEF). At an unrated event, be safe and thoughtful, let it flow. If the clientele wishes/requires less or more, there's room.

Nice thing about this basic course is that any fence can be the start. With this course, you can start it in such a way that a lead change would happen only after the last fence: start on correct lead to the diagonal line first and finish around the outside..no changes needed : ) Go around twice to make  8+ efforts.

Ash, how did you DO that?? MS Paint illustrations... WANT! Please be gentle, I am techno-moron extra-ordinaire, PM me with all you know : )

-- Edited by justice on Tuesday 18th of January 2011 06:21:54 AM

-- Edited by justice on Tuesday 18th of January 2011 06:22:56 AM

-- Edited by justice on Tuesday 18th of January 2011 06:28:17 AM

-- Edited by justice on Tuesday 18th of January 2011 06:29:04 AM

-- Edited by justice on Tuesday 18th of January 2011 06:30:35 AM

How flippin' simple can it get! thanks so much A, you done good, even with your non-hunter hunter round : )


just gotta figure out how to get my design to show up HERE.....

Ah, Justice, I see what you mean now about the 'figure 8' ;) Your design looks pretty sweet and a lot less messy! Haha. I figure you could still implement a total of 9-12 strides per length-wise side of the arena, and about 6-9 strides per width-wise side. I like having that centre jump there to give the rider a little more space to straighten out whereas in my design you've got to come up pretty quick even though there are 5 strides or so to do that in. Hmm..

Yes, please do let us know what you end up using! :)

Glad you figured out MS Paint, J ;) if you're feeling REALLY ambitious you can download "the GIMP", which is another graphics program that's a lot more complex than MS Paint but not as complex as something like Adobe Photoshop or Corel Paint Shop Pro, etc. :)

this might help clarify?

sorry about the double imagery

-- Edited by justice on Tuesday 18th of January 2011 09:49:57 PM

-- Edited by justice on Tuesday 18th of January 2011 09:51:31 PM

I've gone thru both your posts and I worked out basically the same idea with the diagonal at the angle your have set it. In your attachments your only have 5 jumping efforts. What I think I will do is as follows (with your most welcome input!!!)  See attachment "five fences with 8 jumping efforts with simple (lead change). The art work is most kindergarten but just to be clear....After fence 5 take the same line as if you were heading to fence two (on the left lead) cut back on the diagonal opposite to fence one...just before passing beside fence # 1 do simple change of lead to RL and follow around basically the same line as when at the START. Without indicating the simple change on the course sheets the entrants may try to do a flying change when changing direction to the RL when coming into 6. (also there will be no advantage to the entrants who's horses CAN do a flying change). I would like to have 6 fences but it is just too tight. This is a little awkward but gives a little challange while giveing the real beginners a chance.
Nancy R.

I have to agree with Justice. The course looks nice, except the funky turnstyle. Also you're going to get a counter-canter from start to jump one unless you get a flying change from 1 to 2? Then again from 6 to 7, you would need a change. I know you indicated one simple change.. are you planning to allow a simple change between those ones?

ETA: I noticed you have LL and RL, curious as to why the wall side jumps get a right lead between fences? Is this a hunter thing I don't know about? LOL

-- Edited by Barnmouser Ash on Tuesday 18th of January 2011 11:50:42 PM

I know what you mean so I took my mare out (she is quite green 16:1+HH TB) and I AM an arthritic with a total hip replacement in 1999!. I had to move the diagonal fence quite a few times. Actually with finessing the placement of the diagonal fence it is quite flowing. It really suits my mare (coincidentally) as she isn't fussy on her right lead and the first time I did it without the simple change she did end up counter cantering trying to get her legs under her with the change in direction. For a handy hunter this would be no problem but these are beginers so I think the simple change as part of the official course. The judge will give a a few pointers before the class begins ie use the corners and do the simple change right in front of the fence you are passing parallel to (#6). I use to have my own place with an arena 60X160 and it was quite nice for 6 fences. We had an outdoor hunter ring, a dressage ring, a ginormouse (pun)sand ring for the jumpers and a small 1 KM xcountry course that passed thru the creek three times. It's been a long time since those days but still enjoy the challenge. I really do appreciate your work and suggestions. I can only push the organizers so much as they want to do it all. And so did I when I was at their stage of the game. Again, thank you so much.

thanks, Ash : )

here's a cheap way to add a 6th fence  but ride it yourself first so you know if/how it will flow. there are a ton  of courses you can ride here, too. very adjustable.

sorry again for the double image!

i am having a blast with this paint thang so thank YOU, Nancy for the opportunity to play: )

 i understand well the hip replacements and knees, and various assorted non-original parts. and their unpredictable limitations.

-- Edited by justice on Wednesday 19th of January 2011 12:18:18 AM

-- Edited by justice on Wednesday 19th of January 2011 12:25:12 AM

Ps to Ash and J The show is this sunday so I will let you know how the entrants found the course to ride and I will ride it with my mare again to fine tune the distances of fences placed to make it flow as much as possible. I have to say this (Barnmice) is such a great place. I won the cooler on the quizz a few weeks ago and the cooler is excellent. I have to fold it in half for my pony. It practically drags on the ground for my TB mare and is even too big for my old dressage horse (retired now) who is 17:1 After a good work this cooler dries them out in about 10 min. I am going to write to the Insurance CO. that provided it and tell them what a great prize it is and it get's used every day. Again thank you for your comments and fine suggestions and constructive criticism. One is never too old to learn a new trick.

Congrats on the cooler!! Looking forward to hearing about the show, too : )

Put up a simple course with clear, uncomplicated lines, inviting fences and sweeping turns and all be just dandy : )

The jumps will be very low and for the most part cross poles and one very tiny brush box. It would be easy enough for someone who had never jumped before to go out and trot the course. I'm sure if it was done smoothly and they made use of all the arena in their turns they would still have a good time. I think there are 13 preregisted in it already. Of course there are showmanship classes and walk trot classes and senior and junior English pleasure and equitation and even a lead line class for the little ones just getting on their first year. In the afternoon there will be the W. Pleasure and Equitation then two games. The owners want it to finish fairly early so people don't have to load their horse in the dark.  Anyway...time for bed. and again thank you both so much. Yes it was fun.!!!  Nancy

Ah, gotcha. Makes enough sense :)

Not a problem Nancy :) Looking forward to news from the show!

Hahahaha. I love the new abbreviation ;) Best keep this rated G though. Of course it means "Barnmouser Ash" :p

MS Paint is fun! I just reinstalled my version of Corel Paint Shop Pro XI (professional graphics program) since my laptop poo-ed out on me for a bit and I just got it running again. :) Pretty nifty stuff!