What level to start at?

[Fruehling]

Last winter I posted asking about schooling XC without access to a course, link posted at the bottom if you’re interested. Well I’m happy to say I was able to attend an eventing clinic last year, and have two more clinics lined up this year, to be followed by my first real event!! Saying I’m really excited is an understatement! But now with registration for the event coming up soon, I’m trying to figure out what division to enter. A brief history of my and my horse’s eventing experience:
When I was a teen I did a few pony club camps/mini events at about an entry/pretraining-ish level, since then have had no XC experience until last year. Early in the season last year I had a fall that kept me from riding for about 3 weeks and when I came back I was weak and nervous. Took a couple months to get back to “normal” but didn’t really feel 100% again until fall. That summer I attended an eventing clinic out of town (at “facility A”). This was my horse’s first time jumping real solid fences in an open field, and she took to it like a fish to water. At the end of the season we felt pretty comfy jumping 2’9-3’0, and our flat is better than our jumping.

This season so far things have been going really well, definitely improved on last year. At the beginning of June, we have an eventing clinic at facility B. The second last weekend in June we have the same clinic as last year at facility A. The following weekend is the event at facility C, which is actually two 2 day events back to back.

So the question is, what to enter? While we do a fair bit of jumping, trail riding, riding outside of the arena, jumping things other than rails, our real experience is limited to these three clinics. Facility C is also quite far from home, and it will be the furthest my horse has traveled. I am going with a friend who is more experienced, but she is in no way my coach or babysitter. It is possible that I might be able to ride on the course before the event (there is a clinic leading up to the event), and that my friend’s coach will be available to help me to, but to be on the safe side I’m not counting on it.

I’m conflicted as I don’t want to enter too high and be over faced, or too low and feel like I traveled so far to trot over logs. I can do different levels at either event, the levels offered are started through training.

Where would you put me?

https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/eventing/318953-eventing-training-without-cross-country

[kcmel]

If it were me, I would enter at the 2’3"ish level. I’ve seen many riders start their horses at BN (2’7"–not sure you are in the US?), even young pros, and have their horses be over-faced and not have a positive experience. One rider who did a Lucinda Green clinic with me last year, and whose horse did quite well XC schooling, could not even get around stadium at BN. I think it is better to err on the side of caution.

[Fruehling]

I’m in Canada. Our first recognized level is pre-entry, which is max ~2’5" with no mandatory ditches, combos, or water. Next is entry which is very close to BN. Next is pre-training which is very close to novice. There is also starter offered, but since it isn’t a recognized level, it’s up to the organizers of the event, but basically will just be less than pre-entry.

[Highflyer]

Are you thinking to do two clinics and then two events back to back? If so I would do the first clinic at the pre-entry level and if that goes well, the second at entry level, and if all of that goes really, really well, the first event at pre-entry and the second at entry. (And if it doesn’t, do starter and pre-entry). But I agree with kcmel that it’s better to go down a level and have a good experience and wish you had done the higher level than do the higher level and regret it.

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

If I’m reading correctly, you’ve never been to facility C and are going there for back to back events. Enter the first one at the level below where you otherwise think you would like to be right now. Enter the second at the level where you would like to be. If the first doesn’t go well, drop down for the second - organizers are usually very accomodating of this at this type event.

It sounds like all has gone well with your schooling and preparation so far but it only takes one negative experience to set you back quite a bit. Always better to keep you eye on the end game and err on the side of caution in my humble opinion.

[Mango20]

I think the level below BN (whatever they choose to call it) would be your best bet for your first time out. It will probably be 2’-2’3", and should be enough of a challenge for your first time. If it goes well and you have fun, try BN the next time.

[pologirl27]

I started with USEA Beginner Novice on a horse I was super confident jumping 3 feet (and she had a long past up to 4 feet just in the jumper ring). It was the right choice. One big step down from what you show jump is a good metric. So if you are jumping 2’9-3’ I’d go 2’6 or lower. I think after you do the first clinic you’ll have a better idea.

Is Facility C anywhere to be found on this site? https://en.mycoursewalk.com/
It is a really good resource to see what courses actually looked like in the past.

[Fruehling]

Thank you for all the responses everyone! I am leaning towards doing pre-entry (level below BN) both days. This way if I don’t get around the first day, we will have seen the same jumps for next time. And most should be able to be taken at a good trot if necessary. Plus I only need to learn one dressage test .I feel like if I had the opportunity to school on that course a couple times, or anywhere regularly, I’d probably be comfortable at entry. Pre-entry is supposed to be pretty straight forward (no ditches, water, combos), but will be more interesting than the odd log pile of starter. And if it all goes to hell in a helmet, I can always down grade to starter and finish on a good note!

@Groom&Taxi - Yes that’s correct. My friend who’s been before said they are really good about people switching divisions.

@pologirl27 - It is on there! Very cool! Though it only shows one training level course, so not a huge help. Their barn’s webpage has a few helmet cam videos, so that’s given me an idea on what terrain I should expect. The XC clinic I did last year, most jumps were around entry height, with one large inviting galloping fence the clinician said was pre-training (aka N). I imaging I will be doing the same level this year.

I am planning on asking both clinicians post clinic what levels they suggest I do, so that will help me decide. I do feel better hearing from others opinions that are similar to mine!