[Rummymuffin]

GMHA in Area 1 is talking seriously about adding a Novice level to their Training 3 Day event for next year. Entries for the T3D have been on the low side, so I think they are hoping adding Novice will draw in more competitors.

I've heard a lot of debate about it; would any of you eventers be interested in a Novice event with steeplechase and roads & tracks? Or do you think it's a waste of money? Others are saying it's another "mini-Rolex" and would be dangerous for riders/horses to be doing steeplechase at that level.

I'm curious about what anyone on HGS thinks.

[equineeventer33]

As long as the jumps are novice height and my horse was fit and experienced enought for it, I would definately do it. Would be a lot of fun and a good experience. Better to do it at novice for the first time than at training level

[allison finch]

What a good way to introduce the sport to newcomers. I am all for it.

When I started eventing, the lowest recognized level was training (3'3"). Pretraining was unrecognized. I was all for the introduction of recognized novice, then beginner novice.

Anything that eases people into the sport comfortably, I say YES! 3 day is a wonderful partnership between horse and rider.

[spinandslide]

My issue would be..will the novice horses be FIT enough? I know it wont be huge heights and speed and distances are adjusted..but, I didnt see many novice people doing the strenous long trotting and such that the advanced riders did when I evented.

I guess if you gave them enough heads up so they could make sure they were fit..it might be kind of neat for them to "experience" a full three day event.

[Rummymuffin]

Would the fitness needed for a Novice level 3 Day really be that difficult to achieve? For some horses, yes I'd say they might need a lot of work, but I would think that there wouldn't be that much difference in getting a horse fit for a N3DE than for a regular Training/Prelim level horse trials.

[spinandslide]

my concern would be the added roads and tracks and steeplechase..you did say it would have roads and tracks and steeplechase in it correct?

There are plenty of 2 and 3 day novice events, but not very many that encompass the RT and steeplechase..hence my concern over the fitness of the said horses.

[Rummymuffin]

Originally Posted by spinandslide

my concern would be the added roads and tracks and steeplechase..you did say it would have roads and tracks and steeplechase in it correct?

There are plenty of 2 and 3 day novice events, but not very many that encompass the RT and steeplechase..hence my concern over the fitness of the said horses.

Yes, the 3 day format includes Phases A, B, C & D. Having conditioned for and successfully completed a T3DE with a horse that isn't the easiest to get fit, I don't think that conditioning for a N3DE would be more than what I do for a normal Training level horse trials. 5-6 days a week of work with some good trot sets 3 of those days and a gallop/canter once a week should be more than enough to get a Novice horse fit. To me, that's not much of a fitness regimen. You could probably even get away with galloping only once every two weeks. I would not see the need for any real interval training for a N3DE.

My only concern would be that because the fitness is not as necessary as it is at Training/Prelim, riders would get away with doing less and having success, which diminishes the educational aspect. Ultimately though, eventing is about having fun, and if riders are up for it and organizers are willing, I guess my feeling is why not?

[horseyfrk145]

I do wish that we still had the LF...I think it really added something to the competitions. A lot of the competitors at that level agree, but I don't see it coming back.
To have a LF at the Novice level...ehh I'm not sure. I'd love to try it, but honestly a lot of people start out (ususally converts from the jumper world or another similar discipline) at BN or N, and their horses really wouldn't be fit enough to do that.

[I Love BODIE!]

I think it would be fun, but, like Becca said, not sure how it would work out with so many beginners. The T3DE has almost same qualifications required as for moving up to Prelim, right? Something like 4 clean XCs and a few requirements for SJ and DR.

The problem with a N3DE is that there is no requirement for moving up to Training, and I don't know how popular it would be to have requirements for the N3DE. On the other hand, I personally would WANT requirements for any 3DE, just to make sure riders/horses aren't being over-faced with the new challenges in the long-format events.

If I had a horse and the time, I'd love to participate. However, I cannot see allowing people to do a N3DE without having qualifications.

[SouthernJumper]

I like the idea, it gives you a chance to get used to LF at a lower level. Yes, it can be a huge difference to some, but prepare for it and you'll be ready. There are still plenty of events in SF that you can go to as well.