[I Love BODIE!]

I'm planning to head to Inavale this year for their horse trials in June. This will be my first out-of-state H.T. and my barn's first time going to Inavale, so I am very excited!

Has anyone ever shown/ridden there? What's the difficulty level? Any tips? Hotel recommendations? Eating recommendations?

Thank you!
Emily

[JKetsche]

Inavale rocks! It's so pretty! It's our "home" course (the only one within about 1 hour). I have ironically enough never done the HT due to the fact that it always conflicts with something (usually trips out of the country). I have volunteered there once (I had work and couldn't compete, but I had XC day off), and I school there all the time.

It tends to have the reputation of being on the slightly harder side for each level, but I don't think it's unreasonably difficult. I might not use it as a move-up, but it's really not that bad. What level will you be doing? One of the surprisingly difficult fences on the BN-T courses are rock oxers. It's amazing how much the horses look at them (my mare balked at the BN one the first time--I got her over, but she took a good look, and we compete at Training). Now that I know that I haven't had a problem. They aren't big, so most people don't anticipate a problem. There are brush fences on the N/T/P/I courses, and a coffin (numbered as 2 fences) and a Tiger Trap (with ditch) on T, a maxed out downhill rails to a drop combo on T, a difficult water for T, and numerous max/close to max oxers on all courses. The drop, water, and bank combinations for P/I are pretty tough (I think--I don't compete at those levels), and there are substantial Trakehners on T/P. I believe N water is just a pass through (well, there are two), though they do change it. BN water is optional. N ditch is riveted on one side and has a log several strides out (depending on the direction they run the course--most likely after). They protect their footing religiously, so it should be good.

Book your hotel early. It fills up fast because of OSU graduation, etc. Use the ones in the omnibus. As for food, it's a college town--I'm not that familiar with the food (though if you want to drive an hour I can give you great recommendations in Eugene), but I'm sure you'll find plenty of options just exploring. There is decent food on the grounds (at least there was 2 years ago).

Stabling is temporary but there is plenty of space for grazing/walking. The dressage warm-up and arenas are grass and not overly crowded, but not super roomy, either. I didn't see SJ (work), but I know it's run on grass.

Hope that helps!

[I Love BODIE!]

Thanks so much, JKetsche! I'm planning to run Inavale as my last Novice before moving up to Training, so it sounds like it will be a good test to see if we're ready.