Some years ago, Jack LeGoff (I believe) said he could build a pre-pre course (“mini-Rolex”) that no one could get around.
This became an interesting and useful discussion of what is and what is not allowed on lower level courses.
The problem Maplebrook and Miriam had with Trakehners mentioned in a couple of other threads points out to me a problem with taking the attitude that certain questions are too hard for the lower levels.
I believe (and strongly) that all questions need to be asked at the lower levels - that is LOWER fences and adjusted distances accordingly - before they are asked at the higher levels.
What I see here in Ireland is lots of smaller ditches, coffins, trakehners, bounces, water jumps, etc - that are included in lower level courses where horse won’t get into trouble (and lose confidence) if they make a mistake at them. This, to me, seems logical and right. Yes, you want the lower level courses straightforward, but don’t you also want them to be learning experiences? Why not a 2’bounce (make it off a turn, so the horse & rider CAN’T do it too fast.) or a SMALL double bank (there was one in a Baby novice course that I knew in PA that was lovely - but then it wasn’t allowed!) Can’t these also be done as options?
The big problem I see in the States is that people don’t have the land and the courses over which to practice - thus much of their learning is done in the Events or at clinics hosted by the Event location.
Thus the smaller, more inviting, versions of difficult questions, I would think, would be very nice to have and good for horses and riders.
I think if my first ever Trakhener were a tough Training level one - 3’3" over a maxed deep and wide ditch - I too would have a heart attack.
As it was last weekend, the third fence was a big ditch - but there was no where else to go - so it rode easily! The first Trakehner was about 2’3"-2’6" over a small ditch. Easy! Further into the course, the Coffin was very inviting - small, and the log rails at the bottom over the ditch were slanted so you didn’t notice the ditch (unless you looked down 
), then a bit later a maxed log in the trees (big and very inviting!) two strides to your choice of ditches - the big black gaping one happened to be right on the direct two strides from the log - so - it too flowed smoothly.
A few fences later (after the water - which was ugly and hard - deep & muddy but we went around it because of that) another easy bank with a big drop off (again you could do the easier drop off, but the big one was in the rhythm)… Then another small trakhner - with a small ditch. Then anther water - this one was small log, stride, bank (big drop) into very shallow water, canter out and over another log. Then, the last trakhener, which was maxed (1.0 m/3’3"). By that time riding it, however, it looked minimum (I remember thinking when I walked the course, YIKES, I’m NOT jumping this!). It was easy… the last two fences were a maxed stone wall with a tiny ditch in front and decent drop, and an easy Irish bank…
The point here is, the course included some very difficult questions but graduated them and kept them all in a rhythm so the horses got very confident by the end. (This was a “Hunter Trial” or Hunter Pace as we call it, not an event.)
The whole experience made an actual event the next day (different location) look absolutely cinchy!
How do you feel about difficult questions made easy for the lower levels - rather than not being included at all? Is this still being discussed in the USEA?
I know, there are a LOT of XC fences/questions I would rather try at a smaller height/degreee of difficulty than at the max’ed level.
Found the view, but too expensive
From my experience this year, she has given feedback about dressage test and what level is appropriate for me to compete at. We’ve even discussed next season, what I’d like to do, and what it takes to do it correctly and safely.
Still, I had a great time, learned a heck of a lot more, gained independence and experience. Having a wonderful horse who saved my butt didn’t hurt, either 
