What Does the Cross Country part of CDE...

Katiean · May 5, 2011

I was wondering what does the cross country part of a CDE consist of and how long is it? I think this part of the CDE is where I might have the problem with nerve at my age. Then you have the Dressage part and what do they do for the jumping part? Just wondering.

ClickMini · May 6, 2011

Training level combined driving is very easy. If you get scared or confused in one of the obstacles you can even walk. It is just basically a timed trail drive, with some obstacles you have to navigate. These obstacles are more a test of your memory and ability to think than anything scary or dangerous! You just have to go through some "gates" in order, without messing up.

Easy-peasy.

So you have the dressage test (very simple at training level), then the marathon (timed trail drive), then finally the cones course (in place of Eventing's stadium jumping phase).

You can do it!

RhineStone · May 6, 2011

If you have watched videos from WEG or any other upper level CDE, throw that vision out of your head! Training level is NOTHING like that. Like Amy said, it is MUCH slower. I, too was afraid to try a CDE because of seeing the fancy videos and assuming that is how it is. If you can drive through the woods or trails, around a few trees, and "count" ABC, you can do a CDE. Training level dressage tests are only walk, free walk, and working trot with a few circles. (Ok, I am simplifying it a bit and it takes WORK to get a good score), but "The Only Thing to Fear is Fear Itself!"

Myrna

susanne · May 6, 2011

I'm all but legally blind, and I did it -- very slowly, but we didn't eliminate.

Other than missing one critical arrow (the yellow background blended into the grass), which sent us around the pond twice, marathon was, as Amy said, easy-peasy!

Are there any CDEs in your area that you can go watch? Any schooling CDEs? Observing (especially training level) will teach you far more than anyone can tell you online.