BE First Novice

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Hey guys, just about to enter my almost first novice! I say almost first because I have done two novices last season but due to rider and horses inexperience and pressure to move up it didn't go too well. Ive now done lots of BE100's and shes going really well and ready to try the move up again.

My question is which event would you recommend as an easy first novice, Homme House or Aston-Le-Walls.

Their both on the same week so cant do both!

Thank you :)
 
Not sure if its possible but we did Smiths Lawns last year for a first novice and it was lovely - SJ was up to height and a small arena but I think they are addressing that this year. I think Aston gets bigger and stronger throughout the year and I think last year a few got caught out!

We train with Nigel Talyor and he designs Smiths Lawns too and he was happy with our choice last year which possibly says a lot!
 
Not sure about the novice as it's a new (ish) course at homme house but the 90 & 100 there are at the tougher end of the scale! Aston is hit and miss! A few years back I did ALW 2 and it was top end of 90 but 3 weeks later ALW 3 was much more of a first timers course!

Haven't done much the last few years but Aston is usually fair and probably ok for a first time run as fairly flat so can get into a good rhythm xc. Sj usually on a surface which is also helpful.
 
I love smiths lawn ,but it is an acquired taste, I think that you have to have Drag hunted in the area to be entirely at ease with the course , Sandy twisty snakey and dont forget the tree roots, all part of a days work for local horses.Insert smiley of your choice cos |||||\I cant get them to work
 
Mike007 said:
I love smiths lawn ,but it is an acquired taste, I think that you have to have Drag hunted in the area to be entirely at ease with the course , Sandy twisty snakey and dont forget the tree roots, all part of a days work for local horses.Insert smiley of your choice cos |||||\I cant get them to work
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They have built a completely new Xc course over a new part of the park, uptown eventing has a video of the whole course being jumped. Was the perfect 1st time course.
 
Aston le Walls always good for first timers educational but fair tracks. Agree that the courses are more technical as the season progresses but are always a fair test at the level in my opinion. We always aim to run first time upgrades at Aston. Good luck!
 
I think generally ALW seems to be a nice track for a first Novice - know quite a few people who have gone there for their first and it has gone well for them. But much depends on the strengths and weaknesses of you and your horse - what type of jumps/terrain caused problems for you in previous Novices? That will help people advise whether it is a good course for you.
 
Another to say Smiths Lawn. Several of the 100 fences were in the Novice. The SJ was a bit tricky there, and my mare had a meltdown over the water irrigaters on the polo ground across the road from the dressage arenas. Also its a long hack from the lorry park to the dressage warm up, so allow time for that.
 
Mike007 said:
I love smiths lawn ,but it is an acquired taste, I think that you have to have Drag hunted in the area to be entirely at ease with the course , Sandy twisty snakey and dont forget the tree roots, all part of a days work for local horses.Insert smiley of your choice cos |||||\I cant get them to work
Click to expand...

The water jump was always a heart stopper for one! Agree though did it once on a horse that likes galloping tracks ,never a dull moment!!!
 
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