To all you competition people out there.

[happyhacker]

Never having competed before myself in any horsey events,Can anyone explain the system of classes in competition to me please. Have looked on the internet but can't seem to get any explaination . What do the terms novice, pre novice, Prelim etc mean! If there are any links out there I woud be grateful. I am sure that to those who compete these terms are all very clear but they baffle me! Am thinking of being brave next year & perhaps entering something & don't know where to start. Thanks

[arabiangem]

It depends COMPLETELY on the sport you are interested in.

Endurance
Novice: CRs between 30-50km at certain speeds. Can't remember off the top of my head but around 8kph to 12kph
Open: CRs between 30km-80km at higher speeds than a novice
Advanced: same CR rules as Open but can also compete in ERs.
FEI classes: pass! The rules have chAnged since I did my last FEI class.

Then to muddy the waters, an open or advanced horse can compete as a novice. Helpful if coming back from injury or it's early in the season or accompanying a novice.

And that's just scratching the surface! My point is that each disciplinr has its own rules and language. Which discipline are you interested in?

[Beth&Rosie]

Dressage:
Intro-Walk and trot
Prelim(inary)-Walk, trot and cater, all simple movements (only working trot/canter)
Novice: Including some harder stuff like medium trot/canter
Then Elementry is next (I think) which is harder again. I'm not sure how it progresses from there though, sorry! Only competed to Novice!

Showjumping will generally say on the entry form, I'm not sure there are really any rules as to what classes should be called!

[happyhacker]

Thanks for the replies.
Was thinking of a very basic dressage class, but wondering about other classes out of interest.
I often get put off things in the horse world by all the jargon, but have decided to stop being embarrassed & ask, no matter how silly it makes me seems.
Arabiangem : Always fancied having a go at Endurance but could you explain to me What are Cr's & Er's

[laurac]

show jumping
unallifiated (local shows)
clear round - a good place to start and can enter clear round class more than once for practice
then 2 ft, 2.3ft, 2.6ft, 2.9ft, 3.0ft heigh classes etc local shows tend to be quite relaxed

BSJA or affiliated for the more expereinced / competitive people
tracks are more technical and harder and you pay a fee to register (affiliate) yourself and your horse
from memory starts 90cm which is called british novice (it was a long time ago i did this)
then Discovery
then Newcomers
then foxhunter (1.20 meters)
then the bigger ones for the pro's

good luck whatever you do x

[mags]

If you're a "happy hacker" (as the name suggests) you might also enjoy trying out Trec. There are four levels (named Level 1 through 4, one being the easiest). They differ primarily in how long the distance and difficulty of the orienteering section is. You copy a map and have to ride the route (up to 12, 20, 32 or 40km long for the four levels) at a set speed. Usually, speeds range between 6km/h and 8km/h for the lower levels.
Here's a good introduction:
www.bhs.org.uk/enjoy-riding/bhs-trec/about-bhs-trec

Sometimes there are "open" and "novice" classes at smaller (or non-affiliated) events. Novice classes are generally aimed at people without much experience in Trec and there may be limitations, which should be explained on the entry form (e.g. only people who have not been placed before, or done fewer than three Trecs or similar). Everybody else can compete in the "open" class.

If you want to give it a go, I'd start with Level 1. It's easiest to get started if you team up with someone experienced and start as a pair first time around. Trec is very beginner-friendly ;D

[jennyb]

Intro/walk & trot or prelim dressage tests are a good place for a newbie to start. Sometimes it's better to aim for a novice or elementary test though if the combination are more experienced and these tests would play more to their strengths.

After elementary tests, it goes medium, advanced medium, advanced, Prix st George's, intermediaire 1, intermediaire 2, grand prix.

[BJMM]

CR in endurance is competitive ride, NCR is non competitive and ER is endurance ride or often known as a race ride, usually over much longer distance and often a mass start. On the others you are given a start time and you can ride alone or with others. Have a look at Endurance GB website, there is lots of info. Very friendly people and a great, fun, discipline.
Or go along to a local event to watch, early in the season. You can then get a good idea of what to expect and if it would interest you. Best of luck! xx

[happyhacker]

Thanks everyone
Things are getting a little clearer. I presume if you entered the wrong class you wouldn't be disqualified then, just find it harder for yourself.