I’m excited to see a new recognized level to bridge the gap between Training Level and Prelim. USEAs announcement can be seen here:
http://useventing.com/news/new-modified-level-make-its-debut-2017
Curious what everyone else’s thoughts are on it?
I think it’s great, I hope it gets used.
I actually had a brief talk with our XC coordinator the other day about this. I wondered if they would be able to use the terrain with existing jumps to vary the heights, eliminating the cost of building new obstacles. Fingers crossed!
I’m a weeny eventer who wanted to go prelim. to say that I’ve done it. My trainer, who has been around area 1 for over 30 years advised me on what events had “softer” prelims. You know, the ones that are good move ups. All went well, as expected the first year. The second year a lot those “softer” prelims decided they needed to beef things up and went from soft to pretty darn hard. So the area lost “move up” prelims. Not sure we need a modified level, but shows that are move ups need to stick to being move ups.
Now that being said, I also understand that people who do a few of the softer prelims are all of a sudden qualified to do a one star! That doesn’t seem safe either!
[QUOTE=flaxenfilly23;8877175]
I’m excited to see a new recognized level to bridge the gap between Training Level and Prelim. USEAs announcement can be seen here:
http://useventing.com/news/new-modified-level-make-its-debut-2017
Curious what everyone else’s thoughts are on it?[/QUOTE]
I wish Canada would take note.
This year I attempted my very first Prelim. Holy heck, Training does not prepare you! They should either make training more technical or offer a T/P here in Canada.
Then again pre-training (Novice) does NOT prepare you for training. That was another smack in the face when I did that upgrade.
Its a big game changer going Prelim. Harder for those of us who do this as a hobby and can’t afford the 2-3 lessons a week, and schooling odd hours of the day and skipping work to go play with ponies. Or even head South for 4+ months to just play and grow. In Canada I find we are quite limited with Prelim events as well.
Can someone explain what one would have to achieve 2 NQR at Training to compete in Modified? Does that mean you have to try Training? Maybe I am misunderstanding?
Duh. I processed it in my head incorrectly. Thanks for the posters below for clarifying. 
One of those mornings…
An NQR (National Qualifying Result) is a completion with a dressage score of less than 50, sj score of less than 16, and xc with no jump penalties. So basically the rider would need to had two solid Training runs (as opposed to four for Prelim.)
Am I right to assume the qualifications for prelim will can be a compbined 4NQR at Training and/or this modified level?
so 4 Trainings
2 Trainings, 2 Modified
still allow you to run Prelim.
Yes, that is how I read it.
[QUOTE=Highflyer;8878021]
An NQR (National Qualifying Result) is a completion with a dressage score of less than 50, sj score of less than 16, and xc with no jump penalties. So basically the rider would need to had two solid Training runs (as opposed to four for Prelim.)[/QUOTE]
Correct. Training is the qualifier for Prelim, and Modified will be a new level inbetween the two. So you will still have to do Training, just only 2 NQRs instead of 4, to run Modified. So your choices will become 2 NQR at Training, bump up to Modified (and I assume 2 NQR at Modified), then Prelim; OR 4 NQR at Training, then Prelim. Though as someone who has been playing the “move up to Prelim” game this year, I suggest many more than the required NQR and some time going back and forth between the levels.
I was looking at the USEA calendar since events for 2017 have started being entered and already saw Modified offered at a few of the Area III events. I doubt many in my area, VIII, will offer it yet, though.
I have no desire to do prelim but could possibly see myself trying a T/P someday. But I am too weenie probably for this modified division. But it sounds like a great idea.
I think the Modified division may be a good idea for those big events where Prelim is maxed out and not a good move up course. It would help those who are looking to move up make a step up in difficulty without having to wait or travel further to find a suitable “move-up” Prelim course. However, it would be an added expense to organizers that may be difficult for the small events to afford.
That said, I just made the move up to Prelim from Training and didn’t find that I was unprepared, so I don’t think that the Modified division is truly necessary as long as all your homework is done! I did a couple P/T events first and found that helpful, and I moved up at an event where the Prelim course is a decent move-up, not maxed out height and difficulty the whole way… I finished XC with a fair amount of time penalties (which I expected – The footing was a bit wet and I intentionally didn’t wear a watch), but no jump penalties, and my horse felt better and better as the course went on. It was a blast!
[QUOTE=Sticky Situation;8878094]
I think the Modified division may be a good idea for those big events where Prelim is maxed out and not a good move up course. It would help those who are looking to move up make a step up in difficulty without having to wait or travel further to find a suitable “move-up” Prelim course. However, it would be an added expense to organizers that may be difficult for the small events to afford.
That said, I just made the move up to Prelim from Training and didn’t find that I was unprepared, so I don’t think that the Modified division is truly necessary as long as all your homework is done! I did a couple P/T events first and found that helpful, and I moved up at an event where the Prelim course is a decent move-up, not maxed out height and difficulty the whole way… I finished XC with a fair amount of time penalties (which I expected – The footing was a bit wet and I intentionally didn’t wear a watch), but no jump penalties, and my horse felt better and better as the course went on. It was a blast![/QUOTE]
So far I haven’t seen any events in Area 2 saying they want to step up to the plate and offer it. I feel like there is a HUGE gap between the two divisions here – many Trainings don’t offer the technical questions that come up at Prelim, and the speed difference is a BIG factor. As hldyrhrses said, lots of venues don’t keep their courses consistent, so it’s hard to determine whether one event is good for moving up or not!
I’ve done 25-some-odd Trainings in 5 years with one horse and have attempted Prelim a couple times. (And yes, I have done a T3D very successfully.) I’ve found the combination of added height and technicality at Prelim to be the biggest obstacle (no pun intended).
[QUOTE=LadyB;8877950]
I wish Canada would take note.
This year I attempted my very first Prelim. Holy heck, Training does not prepare you! They should either make training more technical or offer a T/P here in Canada.
Then again pre-training (Novice) does NOT prepare you for training. That was another smack in the face when I did that upgrade.
Its a big game changer going Prelim. Harder for those of us who do this as a hobby and can’t afford the 2-3 lessons a week, and schooling odd hours of the day and skipping work to go play with ponies. Or even head South for 4+ months to just play and grow. In Canada I find we are quite limited with Prelim events as well.[/QUOTE]
There are several events that do T/P, I know Ottawa, Oakhurst, and Harmony have all done them in the past.
[QUOTE=Jealoushe;8878177]
There are several events that do T/P, I know Ottawa, Oakhurst, and Harmony have all done them in the past.[/QUOTE]
Ideally more GTA area is preferred. Those locations are too far and take about 3 hours to go to… not something I can afford for stabling and gas.
[QUOTE=LadyB;8878197]
Ideally more GTA area is preferred. Those locations are too far and take about 3 hours to go to… not something I can afford for stabling and gas.[/QUOTE]
:lol: 3 hours is NOTHING!!! Here in the west it’s not unusual to have to travel 6-8 hours! 3 hours is just a stroll down the road 
Not that I’m ever likely (now) to get to needing the modified division[unless they make a E/PT modified division ;)]
[QUOTE=fanfayre;8878308]
:lol: 3 hours is NOTHING!!! Here in the west it’s not unusual to have to travel 6-8 hours! 3 hours is just a stroll down the road
Not that I’m ever likely (now) to get to needing the modified division[unless they make a E/PT modified division ;)][/QUOTE]
Oh I know I’m spoiled, most I do is 2 hours, but since I have that option of multiple events within 2 hours, why make the trip 3+ hours east? Just saying would be nice if it was offered in the GTA area. Again stabling and gas is expensive, if I can keep costs down I can continue to show once a month.
I was just joshin’ ya- I used to live in the GTA too, so know exactly what you have- I’m actually quite jealous. Checkmate was a “looong” drive from Georgetown;)
Here, we HAVE to do stabling, but that’s usually not too $$$, and gas, well, gas… PLUS, living on the island, I have ferry fees both ways :eek:- now you’re talking expensive!!!
If it weren’t for the GTA winters I probably would move back, but after 26 years on the west coast I’ve become far too much of a weather weenie.
I’m sure your close events WILL start to offer the modified
I moved three horses up to prelim over the years with a modicum of success (meaning, we did not struggle but have made the odd green mistake). I never once felt under prepared with any of them from what we did at training and at home. I’m far from a gifted rider and while all were nice, athletic, brace, and intelligent horses, they weren’t particularly gifted, either. And while Toby and I struggled one season, it wasn’t due to a lack of preparation…mostly over enthusiasm on his part on xc and a serious need to get my head on straight over some other life issues that were taking their toll on my riding.
I guess I don’t see a huge need for it. I could be wrong, and I would NEVER fault anyone for taking advantage, but it does just seem like a costly addition that isn’t necessary.
Then again, the sport isn’t what once was, so maybe it will be needed down the road.
I don’t see a huge need for it either…and will be surprised if it is offered much.
Moving up a level can always be hard…no matter what level. Not sure this level will really make it any easier.
I think it depends on the area… Like another poster said, sometimes you can avoid the need by going to a few ‘softer’ events. But then you’re screwed if you qualify for Championships…
In my area, there weren’t really many ‘softer’ Prelims when I was ready to move up - the jump up in level and difficulty was quite astounding. Most of the riders at my barn would go all the way to Area 2 or Area 3 when they were ready to move up to Prelim. I can’t really think of any ‘soft’ Prelims in Area 1, honestly. Maybe someone else can, so I know what to look for when my newest guy is ready :lol:
