The ‘plan’, and I use this loosely because I am talking about horses here, is to aim for my pony’s first one star next year.
I’d really appreciate any input on your experiences from your first one star. Good, bad, ugly, WTH?, etc.
You can do all the reading you possibly can, but firsthand experience is by far much better! TIA!
Are you looking at a CIC* or a CCI*? (Or both?)
When I did my first CCI* (with phases A-D), there was an education program in place to help riders at their first one. There was a nice hand-out booklet, additional coaching support.
I’m wondering if that booklet is available online. Maybe you could contact your national or area organization and ask if there is one available. Here is a link I found online, I haven’t read through it but the author has experience enough to pass on.
You will do well to talk to a coach (if you haven’t already) who can walk you through the entire process.
Get a wall calendar and start to get your ducks in order now. Look at getting your microchip for your FEI passport, all vaccines lined up (check dates and work your calendar out). FEI passport takes longer than you’d think. Then look at the qualifications required and mark down all your competitions and schooling shows. Then fit in your gallops. Then figure out your farrier appointments. The sooner you get all that together, the better.
Start your passport and vaccination schedule now. Much easier than having to rush or pay the rush fees. Go over the rule book to see if your tack is in order and you have all your qualifications.
Blugal basically has my calendar plan as well.
Just plan and over plan. Thats my motto for FEI.
I have 3 this year headed to a spring CCI*.
I really don’t get it. Aside from FEI qualifications and requirements (and $$$), what’s the big deal now? Sure, you have a couple of horse inspections, the courses are a little longer and the dressage test is in a standard arena but explain why, without R&T and Steeplechase, is ‘doing my first (*)’ such a biggie? I am not mocking nor degrading nor anything else, I simply don’t get it. 
Why shouldn’t it be? It’s different than the old days, sure.
But as you pointed out, the XC is still harder and longer, the dressage is harder, the show jumping can be (depends on course designer), and there is often added pressure of needing a qualifying score, or having made a very long drive etc.
Why diminish this - it’s hard, just not the same as doing Phases A, B, C, D. Lots of people considering doing their first Training and first Prelim to be a big deal - why not your first 1*?
Just knowing this is a possibility next year for my pony is very exciting to me.
I actually am a eventing newbee as far as competitions go, and my trainer has been the rider due to our circumstances. My pony’s first year actually competing was this year. If all goes well we could expect to progress to a 1* before 2016 is over.
The whole FEI thing kind of has a mysterious aura around it for me. I am just looking for anyone’s personal experience and recommendations. You know, things to be sure to do, not to do, things that flew under your radar and any other tidbits you might choose to share.
I realize this may never happen, as plans can change in an instant, but while it’s still a possibility, I would welcome any first hand experiences.
My first hand experience is actually, to get your FEI passport done early. Because at my first CIC*, I had to have it couriered from national head office, and it arrived on Saturday at the competition grounds. So strictly the organizers could have (and probably should have) eliminated me, but luckily they didn’t.
Didn’t matter much to anyone else since I finished almost last… I had time penalties on XC and 4 rails, but I was clear XC and that felt pretty good for my first FEI :lol:
Another tip is to start practicing your jog ups now. Get your horse really obedient, and have someone watch you to make sure you are going straight and not making your horse appear off by anything you’re doing.
[QUOTE=RiverBendPol;8441547]
I really don’t get it. Aside from FEI qualifications and requirements (and $$$), what’s the big deal now? Sure, you have a couple of horse inspections, the courses are a little longer and the dressage test is in a standard arena but explain why, without R&T and Steeplechase, is ‘doing my first (*)’ such a biggie? I am not mocking nor degrading nor anything else, I simply don’t get it. ;-)[/QUOTE]
Because, honestly, FEI competitions are a whole different animal. A different rule book, made trickier by the fact that most of the rules are the same, but some of the differences can get you eliminated or penalized, like carrying a whip in dressage. New, unfamiliar procedures like in-barns or using the FEI entry system. A extra set of registrations for both horse and rider, as well as the convoluted passport process. Riding a CIC cross country course might not be significantly different than the corresponding horse trials level at the same show, but a CCI has at least 2-3 extra minutes tacked on, greatly affecting your condition schedule leading up. In dressage, you might be riding in the standard arena for the first time, will be riding a new (to you) test for the first time, and may be riding in tails for the first time, which can bother some horses. In show jumping, there is often a complicated boot procedure where you cannot put the horse’s boots on until you are in front of the ring steward, and after your round, you are required to remove them over a mat. For cross country, the vet box might be an eye-opening procedure, and will definitely require an extra set of hands if you’re on your own at a show.
There’s just a lot more to know and be familiar with with FEI, setting aside the actual riding portions.
DC - this is EXACTLY what I am looking for! THANK YOU!!
[QUOTE=Divine Comedy;8443080]
Because, honestly, FEI competitions are a whole different animal. A different rule book, made trickier by the fact that most of the rules are the same, but some of the differences can get you eliminated or penalized, like carrying a whip in dressage. New, unfamiliar procedures like in-barns or using the FEI entry system. A extra set of registrations for both horse and rider, as well as the convoluted passport process. Riding a CIC cross country course might not be significantly different than the corresponding horse trials level at the same show, but a CCI has at least 2-3 extra minutes tacked on, greatly affecting your condition schedule leading up. In dressage, you might be riding in the standard arena for the first time, will be riding a new (to you) test for the first time, and may be riding in tails for the first time, which can bother some horses. In show jumping, there is often a complicated boot procedure where you cannot put the horse’s boots on until you are in front of the ring steward, and after your round, you are required to remove them over a mat. For cross country, the vet box might be an eye-opening procedure, and will definitely require an extra set of hands if you’re on your own at a show.
There’s just a lot more to know and be familiar with with FEI, setting aside the actual riding portions.[/QUOTE]
THANK YOU, DivineComedy! As I clearly said in my post above, I was not in any way trying to be derogatory nor dismissive (Blugal), I seriously wanted to know why/what was different. DC, you told me (us)-thanks! I’ve done bunches of long format 3-days, yes, in the “old days” and have not gotten to the point of doing a new format CIC or CCI, so I seriously wanted to know what was the difference. Meanwhile, WB Mom, have a blast, good luck.
Thank you for posting this and for all the great suggestions. My son has a goal to do his first CIC* in the fall of 2016. He has a great support system and his trainer said it’s very doable but I don’t know all the little things to be ready. Will start looking into the FEI passport now. Thanks again 
- Ditto on getting the passport done. Start early, use a vet who knows how to do it, and make sure you understand the rules regarding vaccinations.
-Familiarize yourself with the process. Like DC said, there are different procedures at FEI competitions- protocol for inspections, differences in dressage (no whip, salute both judges, etc), SJ boot procedures, etc. I think the vet box is the most intimidating place for a new FEI rider, so do some reading about what goes on there, and what is to be expected. The best thing is to have a very experienced groom to help you get set up before XC and direct things after you finish.
Before my first FEI competition, I went to a few and helped friends, particularly in the vet box. It was very helpful and lessened the stress significantly during my first outing, since I was familiar with the routine.
- It might sound silly, but spend some time doing a little mental prep. It didn’t fully occur to me that I didn’t have a real “xc warm-up routine” until XC morning of my first CCI*. I was used to doing SJ before XC and rarely even jumping in XC warmup, so the idea of getting a cold horse ready to tackle the biggest course we’d ever ridden was intimidating to me. IME the warmups at FEI events are more hectic than horse trials too (with the exception of dressage).
Where are you planning to go?
I have a clothing question.
For CIC1* and CCI1* what are the requirements for shadbelly/tails and dress boots?
I can’t find anything that says you have to have them, but I feel like everyone I see is wearing them.
Is this a “can” but not a “must”?
[QUOTE=53;8444342]
I have a clothing question.
For CIC1* and CCI1* what are the requirements for shadbelly/tails and dress boots?
I can’t find anything that says you have to have them, but I feel like everyone I see is wearing them.
Is this a “can” but not a “must”?[/QUOTE]
The rules are actually discourage a shadbelly for a 1*. If I manage to get to one this year…I’m not spending money on one and have no intention of wearing one even if I’m the only one who doesn’t.
If you DO wear one…traditionally you should wear dress boots.
[QUOTE=RiverBendPol;8443335]
THANK YOU, DivineComedy! As I clearly said in my post above, I was not in any way trying to be derogatory nor dismissive (Blugal), I seriously wanted to know why/what was different. DC, you told me (us)-thanks! I’ve done bunches of long format 3-days, yes, in the “old days” and have not gotten to the point of doing a new format CIC or CCI, so I seriously wanted to know what was the difference. Meanwhile, WB Mom, have a blast, good luck.[/QUOTE]
Biggest difference from the old days…damn passport needed at 1*. Need to get all that done well in advance. And the drug rules…so you have to start watching what you feed. EVERYONE in the barn has to be careful.
[QUOTE=bornfreenowexpensive;8444356]
The rules are actually discourage a shadbelly for a 1*. If I manage to get to one this year…I’m not spending money on one and have no intention of wearing one even if I’m the only one who doesn’t.
If you DO wear one…traditionally you should wear dress boots.[/QUOTE]
So I’m the opposite opinion of you, bfne. You will find lots and lots of people who wear a shadbelly for a 1*, and in fact most of the 1* I did, the vast majority of riders did wear their tails. None of those 1* were in Area II though, which probably has a much lower percentage who wear the shad. That being said, you can absolutely do a 1* without buying a shad.
And I have been competing at the FEI levels since 2009, just finished my first CIC3* events this year, and I have always, always, always worn field boots with my shad. I have never gotten a comment or even a second look.
I honestly couldn’t justify the cost of a new set of boots just to not have laces. And the pain of breaking them in. 
(For that matter, I still rubber band my braids. But my rubber band braids look pretty phenomenal if you ask me.)
Most do wear one even in Area II…even though the rules specifically discourage wearing one.
I personally hate the look…and do not see the point in spending the money on one (I spend enough thank you). You do not even need to wear them at the 3* level…but at that point they are encouraged.
But if that makes you happy…go ahead and wear one! You will not get penalized either way…as no dressage judge cares what you wear.
My point on the boots is just what is traditional. I also wouldn’t likely bother with different boots…but since the OP asked, yes dress boots are what is supposed to go with tails…but no one will care what you do otherwise.
Is it just me but my understanding is all you need at one star is a national passport. Much cheaper, but vaccination requirements the same.
Thanks very much for the clarifications regarding shad and dress boots, the cost of each would decimate my show budget 
[QUOTE=gardenie;8444469]
Is it just me but my understanding is all you need at one star is a national passport. Much cheaper, but vaccination requirements the same.[/QUOTE]
You didn’t use to even need that. But yes, just a national one unless you cross an international boarder (so for example, a US rider/horses goes to Bromont for their 1*, then you need to up grade your passport and get another permission form from the USEF).
It still takes time to get a national passport so not something you want to leave to the last minute.
