What do you like to see on the opening circle?
Pace, which as a trainer I have always said is your best friend. Just go forward – this shows your intent to go and get the job done. Pace also gives you many more options than if you’re going too slowly.
In a handy class, do you allow the riders to walk the course?
Actually, that is a management decision, but I would say no. The course has all of the distances on the chart and the route is marked, so there is no real reason to have to walk the course.
In a handy hunter class there is an option of trotting a jump or jumping a big oxer. Which would you prefer to see?
It is all up to you – just do whatever option you choose correctly! If your horse does not trot jumps well, then go for the oxer, and if he does trot jumps well, then save the big effort.