Which level to clinic at?

[Lusoluv]

How do you decide which level to clinic at? What would you recommend for me if:

1. I just finished my first eventing season with a 7 year old I bought last fall. We did 3 Starter events (placed top 3 each time). Ended up 3rd at our first BN last week. Double clear each time out.

2. Started adding 3’ stadium jumps to our schooling sessions. Horse having no problems at all. I’m a jumping newbie so like to work my way up We don’t have any 3’ XC jumps at my farm. Max is about 2’6".

Would you sign up for BN or N? I’m tempted to go N, assuming the clinician will start off conservatively to get to know horse/rider combos. If that is the case, I’d be fine. If he puts us on to everything at max height from the start…I might be a little nervous. Or would you play it safe and register as BN and possibly feel a little underwhelmed?

It’s an expensive clinic with a BNR who’s very nice, funny and positive. I don’t want to hold anyone else back or get scared and maybe make my horse scared - though she’s very steady. I also don’t want to waste the opportunity to push ourselves a little. The clinic is a month away. Thanks for your advice!

[beowulf]

Depends on the BNR. Some BNRs I’d go with what I’m competing currently - others I might push for the level that I am training instead.

I know that’s not much help, but for instance I’d probably go with the level I’m competing for someone like Lucinda Green, whereas if it was Eric Smiley I might push for what I am training at home. How much do you like to be pushed, and is your confidence easily shaken?

[Foxtrot_s]

Go for it - Onwards and Upwards. Where better to upgrade? Be a true eventer.
Horses are more often capable of more - it is often just us that holds them back.

[Lusoluv]

Yes, my horse is certainly capable of more. It’s her mom that gets a little nervous I cliniced with this person last year when I was at Starter. He started everyone off very easy…as it should be at that level. While we were challenged being at a new venue with different types of jumps, I wasn’t “pushed” much. But that’s OK. I just wanted a positive first time experience at an eventing clinic - and that’s exactly what we got.

I’ll message the organizer and tell her my quandary. She’s had this clinician several times so she should have a good feel as to his approach for riders in BN and N divisions. That should help me make up my mind. I have been extremely conservative over the past year with my new horse and my own schooling. This is the first time I’ve felt like I want to “Go for it”! So I kind of want to follow that feeling!

[Hilary]

I would tell the clinic organizer what you’ve said here, and that your goal is Novice in the near future. There may be others just like you and putting you together will be a great class.

It’s hard for clinicians when one rider just finished a BN and the other is about to move up to Training. Neither of you will get the most out of the lesson. And at worst, one will be overfaced and the other bored.

[pony_grandma]

I rarely ever see a clinician max fences, they teach varying degrees of complexities via exercises over lower height fences. Good exercises can depict the holes in a rider/horse’s education and then create what is missing and their comments will be directed to what each individual rider needs to learn from it. Go for the push this time, be sure to speak up.

And what Hilary just said. I think the slash BN/N; N/T etc is the best way to organize.

[Lusoluv]

I messaged the organizer exactly what you’ve all said and that I’m BN+ She said my info would be very helpful in breaking out the riders into appropriate groups. Thanks again, COTHers!!

[kcmel]

[QUOTE=pony grandma;8835682]
I rarely ever see a clinician max fences, they teach varying degrees of complexities via exercises over lower height fences. Good exercises can depict the holes in a rider/horse’s education and then create what is missing and their comments will be directed to what each individual rider needs to learn from it. Go for the push this time, be sure to speak up.

And what Hilary just said. I think the slash BN/N; N/T etc is the best way to organize.[/QUOTE]

Agree. I’ve done clinics this year with LG, Bobby Costello, and Matt Brown, all at novice, and we were never at maximum height. But it sounds like your organizer will find the best group for you. Have fun!

[Equisis]

Echo everyone who said to let the organizer know. Often, there may be multiple groups at BN or N, and the organizer can arrange accordingly (a N group that is new to the level, and another N group that is looking at a T move-up). I will say that most BNRs I have ridden with are very good at making sure everyone gets something out of the lesson (including adjusting height up or down as necessary), but I would only sign up for a N group if I was comfortable jumping 3’. Consider that the N group may be more difficult in terms of the exercises as well, not just height (related distances, grid work, etc). I have been at clinics where we didn’t reach “max” height at all but did technical exercises at low heights, and others where we schooled 3"-6" higher than the height of the group, so it can vary by clinician. Have fun!

[kupeski]

Playing devils advocate.

My farm had Boyd Martin out last year, with groups at each level bn to prelim. There was consistently one rider in every group (save the prelims) that should not have been in that group. It caused a lot of resetting jumps when a horse knocked them down or refused and often they would send that horse again if there was a problem, cutting ride time for other riders.

Eta: remember the technicalities between bn and n get more challenging, so it’s not just about jump height

[tbchick84]

It definitely helps to know more about how the clinician works. Boyd is known for pushing riders above their comfort zone. Also, some work more from a horse standpoint versus a rider standpoint. By that I mean, some focus primarily on what the rider is doing while others seem to just watch the horse and comment on it’s form while you flop around up there hoping for input.

[Lusoluv]

I have recently become comfortable jumping 3’ so that part should be OK. The clinician has a close relationship with Boyd and tends to be very considerate to the horse and rider pair. Doesn’t typically push it to the limit…though has interesting, brain-teasing grids and questions that make you focus on correct basics. BN & N are the bulk of the participants, with a few at Starter and a few at Training. Clinic host stated that saying I’m more of a BN+ rider vs BN- was helpful and will put me in the most appropriate group. That’s all I could ever ask for

[kcmel]

[QUOTE=kupeski;8835849]
Playing devils advocate.

My farm had Boyd Martin out last year, with groups at each level bn to prelim. There was consistently one rider in every group (save the prelims) that should not have been in that group. It caused a lot of resetting jumps when a horse knocked them down or refused and often they would send that horse again if there was a problem, cutting ride time for other riders.

Eta: remember the technicalities between bn and n get more challenging, so it’s not just about jump height[/QUOTE]

That happens at some clinics (I had a similar experience in a Boyd clinic), but it doesn’t sound like that will be an issue for the OP :). I have certainly been in clinics where I have needed more help with a specific exercise, but then another pair might need more help with something else. I think that is just part of the clinic experience.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

As someone who organizes a lot of clinics…you should sign up for BN…but state you are hoping to up grade to Novice soon. When I set groups, I try and set them close. Not all levels are equal. There is a big difference with experienced riders on green horses v. Green on green. Or a rider new to a level and one eyeing an up grade. So giving the organizer more (honest) info is great and helps them set appropriate groups. And even then…horses have bad days and sometimes the groups just done work out right!

[acottongim]

I agree with the others - it depends on the clinician And it sounds like the OP has had her question answered by the organizer of the clinic which is great. I’m actually organizing a clinic with Andreas Dibowski and I’ve been told by him that people should sign up for what they are comfortable with for their horse/themselves. If he sees that a horse/rider needs to move up or down a level he will do so and work with it

[sunhawk]

Definately talk to your instructor. In my experience, they will spend some time chatting with you about your riding, your horse, and your goals for the clinic, and that is the opportunity you need to say if you want to be pushed a bit.