Anyone have any favorites for Area 1 BN for a first time eventer?
Area I is pretty large. Do you have a preferred area to stay in?
Is recognized a hard requirement? I think the one-day summer and fall classics at Groton House are a nice and well-run (but not recognized) BN. (Given the size of Area 1 you could also be six hours away though!) Recognized runs on the same grounds but is Novice and up, and multi-day.
I assume you’re not looking for an event this year, though; if so, the picking are slim-to-none.
Yes for next spring. No preference other than it has to be Recognized. I was shocked to see the last event I attended as a volunteer/spectator had some big asks on XC. Ditches, banks up and down, water with jumps right after or right before, and multiple combination questions at BN. I’d like something that I know will be a confidence builder for a horse new to the sport. Last time I rode a BN in this area there wasn’t a ditch or water. Is that just level creep?
The GVRDC events typically have an inviting course for BN and they are recognized events.
Hitchingpost, Huntington, UNH are all pretty good BN rounds. They do have terrain though (Hilly VT) Coursebrook is also a good one for BN. These are nice one day shows too, so quick!
If you are OK with unrecognized, Green Acres in Madbury, NH has a series of unrecognized events that are pretty friendly and fun. I also second the Groton House (Hamilton, MA) spring and fall “classics.” I jump judge there, board nearby and ride my mare through GH regularly, etc. This also gives you “out in the great wide open” experience, as the grounds are huge and rolling, and the jumps spread out.
There also is, or has been, a lower-level schooling event series with a championship at the end of the season, with events in several places.
ETA: BN at Groton House typically has a small down-bank, and a simple “run-through” water question. Other than that, lots of coops, logs, spreads etc. and a few related distances, but nothing tricky. The jump most likely to cause trouble is the first one, because the ponies don’t want to leave their friends :lol:
One of the things you can do is check out old course maps if you can find them. They might be on the Area 1 website or on the Facebook page (or website) of the venue. Sometimes with photos.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a BN course with no water, ditches or banks, even at a schooling show. Some recognized shows have “starter” level now at 2’3". You could try that, but even at 2’3" at schooling shows there is usually at least small ditches, small banks, and water that might be optional, depending on the venue.
Granted it’s unrecognized, but the West Newbury Riding and Driving Club hosts 2 horse trials at Pipestave Hill in West Newbury, MA, with a straightforward beginner novice course. They just had their fall horse trials this past weekend and a map of the cross country is available online.
Well dang, for some reason I was sure Pipestave wasn’t running. It’s a really nice well-maintained property and a nice event, and a great place for schooling. Definitely a nice perk of being in the area!
