Go eventing!
For the ultimate equestrian challenge, eventing takes some beating.
It combines the elegance and obedience of dressage, the precision and athleticism of showjumping plus the courage and adrenalin of the cross country phase.
However, don’t think you have to be at Badminton standard to have a go. There are plenty of classes available for all different abilities, starting from 80cm (2ft 6in). There are even ones which offer the help of skilled trainers as an integral part of the class. They will help you in the collecting ring as you warm up, and walk the showjumping and cross country courses with you offering tips and advice.
And, of course, you don’t have to be in the saddle to enjoy eventing. As well as spectating, there are plenty of ways to get involved from the ground. There are opportunities for training and great days out, just by offering your services as a volunteer. It’s a win-win situation – without volunteers eventing simply couldn’t continue.
So if the all-round test that eventing offers ticks your boxes, why not rise to the challenge, get out there and go for it?
Your chance to get a £1000 head start...
How do you fancy having £1000 cash to spend on you and your horse? Here at Go Affiliated we have ANOTHER £1000 cash to give away - Marie Shepherd from Sheffield is already using her prize to help fulfill her daughter's eventing dreams (see below).
Just imagine what you could do with £1000... put it towards a horse trailer, get new competition kit, invest in a whole load of lessons... it could get you off to a great start in affiliated competitions. Simply enter our competition to stand a chance of grabbing that cash!
NEWS UPDATE: Last chance to win training places
Your chance to win cut-price training, free entry to your first affiliated event and more. Click here to find out more...
NEWS UPDATE: Marie wins £1000 from goaffiliated.co.uk!
Marie Shepherd from Sheffield (pictured top, with daughter Ellie on Crystal left, and younger daughter Amie, with British Dressage Chief Executive Amanda Bond right) couldn’t believe her luck when she received a call this month from goaffiliated.co.uk telling her she had won £1000 cash. She entered the prize draw at Your Horse Live in November where goaffiliated.co.uk launched. “I couldn’t believe it,” laughs Marie. “I thought it was a wind-up – we never win anything, not even a raffle!”
Thanks to the unexpected cash, Marie is now looking forward to being able to give her 13-year-old daughter Ellie an extra boost towards achieving her equestrian competitive dreams. Ellie has already been competing successfully in dressage, showing and showjumping at Pony and Riding Club events on her pony, 14hh eight-year-old Crystal. She is now setting her sights on affiliated dressage this autumn and affiliated eventing next year having been convinced to have a go ‘under rules’ by her instructor.
Marie explains, “The people at the affiliated event we attended were so welcoming. It was really nice as when we pulled up beside all these huge lorries we were feeling like we shouldn’t be there. Ellie was the only child competing in her classes that day and she won them both – we were thrilled to bits. We had a fantastic day – so don’t be daunted!”
Having built a local reputation together Ellie and Crystal will sadly have to part ways this winter as the search begins for a larger horse. “We’ve been saving and saving and saving,” says Marie. “Winning this prize couldn’t have come at a better time. It will alleviate some of the pressure for us. The £1000 will allow us to buy something that little bit better which may have the potential to go that little bit further.”
With her experience from bringing on Crystal, Ellie looks set to take her next equine ‘project’ on in leaps and bounds. Marie explains, “Going affiliated will open up lots of different avenues for Ellie and give her many opportunities which will help with a possible future equestrian career. It will also give her the chance to compete under the same banner as her idols Mary King and Oliver Townend – that’s something you dream of!”
