Friday 18th June 2004    Another Fun Jump         Click here for a description of the jumps and a map of the course

Following the success of the Easter Saturday Fun Jump, we are having another one on Friday 18 June between 6 and 8 p.m.  There are 18 cross country jumps ranging from 2ft 3" to 2ft 9" similar to the Easter course but with some new cross-country jumps instead of the show jumps. You can look at a description of the course and a plan by clicking here. No timing, no pressure. Have a couple of rounds if there's no-one waiting.  It will take place in the "50 Acres" middle field off Wickham Way bridleway leading from Chalfont St Giles to Hodgemoor Wood.  No vehicle access, just hack there.  £5 for members, £15 for non-members. Call Susie Bicknell 01494 872447 mobile 0787658 1144 if you plan to come. Sausages, carrots and summer wine and drinks provided!
    The uncut grass covers ground which is firm and rideable. Stay clear of the yellow sands of the rabbit warren  at the North West entrance between 10 and 11. The holding area for horses is outside the South East entrance, i.e. diagonally opposite the entrance used for the Easter fun jump.
    The two top fields are being ploughed this week to try to get rid of the ragwort which poisons horses. The bridleway and footpaths remain open of course. This means that access is now, either 1) via the bridleway to  the Spring Link then on round the edge of the newly ploughed Top Field to the East side of the Middle Field and down the footpath, or 2) enter the drive to Homefarm Orchard at the Parish Council notice board on Threehouseholds between Yaldens and the Village Chippy, through our front garden, straight ahead past the horse box, through the double gates and up the footpath on the East side of the Lower Field.

Description of the Hodgemoor 50 Acres Mini Cross Country course. The Hodgemoor 50 Acres Mini Cross Country course has been changed since the spring debut. The show jumps have been replaced with cross country jumps. one or two of them a bit more challenging. Most jumps are 2'3" to 2'6". The bars are solid-looking wooden planks either suspended or lying at 45° on pegs, i.e. they are not designed to fall off with a tap of the hooves.

Course conditions and Access. The course has been mown and the turf is firm but not too hard for jumping. To each side of the course there is long uncut grass covering ground which is firm and rideable. Stay clear of the yellow sands of the rabbit warren at the North West entrance between jumps 10 and 11. The holding area for horses is outside the South East entrance, i.e. diagonally opposite the entrance used for the Easter fun jump. Access is on horseback only, either 1) via the bridleway to the Spring Link then on round the edge of the newly ploughed Top Field to the East side of the Middle Field and down the footpath, or 2) enter the drive to Homefarm Orchard at the Parish Council notice board on Threehouseholds between Yaldens and the Village Chippy, through our front garden, straight ahead past the horse box, through the double gates and up the footpath on the East side of the Lower Field.

Notes on the Wigwam. Make a clear decision whether to take option A or B in advance of approaching. A: a single jump over angled bars 2’1” high and about 1 metre apart. Or B: a hop double over bars 2’1” high and about 4 metres apart. The dotted line on the plan represents a dividing line between option A and option B and is marked by vertical poles on the jump. The bars are all solid, i.e. they do not fall off their supports. Click here for a map of the course

1: Log. 2'6" at each side, the log is bowed downwards in the centre to less than 2 feet and looks nice and inviting.
2 & 3: plain bars at 2'3" (or 3'0" on request in the last half hour)
4: The Graduated Bar is horizontal but the ground slopes up towards the right at the hedge. Jump next to the hedge and it's 2'3". Jump at its left end and it's 3'0".
5: The Wigwam:  Make a clear decision in advance of approaching. A: a single jump over angled bars 2’1” high and about a metre apart. B: a hop double over bars 2’1” about 4 metres apart. Read the notes carefully, look at the enlargement on the map below, and get a picture in your mind. Walk over to have a look if in doubt.
6: The Little Door is designed to test your accuracy over a jump that's narrow from left to right.
7: the 5 Telegraph Poles are stacked  to an apex at about 2'3". They look imposing but it's not a difficult jump.
8 & 9 are trellis fences as in the old course.
10: The Double Tyres jump is composed of planks on tyres, only 2 foot high and 8 metres apart, i.e. one stride for a horse.
11: the mini fence which was jump 1 in the Easter course
12: Bar at 2'3"
13: Cross bars mounted diagonally, lower in the middle
14: Bar at 2'3"
15: Log at 2 foot, but a nice chunky log at that
16: Bar at 2'3"
17: The "Water" is just a bar at 2'3" with some elements on the ground to imitate the effect of water.
18: The Earth Bank is 2'3" high with grass and flowers growing on it, and a nice way to finish the round. Well done!