BE new 60cm class.

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Velcrobum

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As per title BE are introducing a new 60cm eventing class. Not sure what I think about that as part of me thinks it is dumbing the sport down to much BUT given the old way of getting XC experience was hunter trials of which there were many many available and now are not. I guess BE is hoping to cash in before the unaffiliated providers of competition get there.
 
Oh goodness, whatever next!
When I started eventing, the lowest level was Novice, 3foot 6 in xc and 3ft 9 SJ.
Then they invented Pre-Novice….I remember Mark Philips writing in H&H that it was a bad idea and lowering the Sport! Then some time later they brought in Intro, it looked ridiculously small! Eventually it all changed to the 80, 90 and 100 we have now below Novice.
I realise with the expense of everything and so many Health and Safety Rules that it gradually became impossible for Riding Clubs and Pony Clubs to put on the lower levels for people to learn before they tried Affiliated, so British Eventing filled the gap. But 60? Surely not? My grandchildren were jumping 60 at unaffiliated things by the age of about 7 or 8, it’s barely 2foot.
 
Chiffy said:
Oh goodness, whatever next!
When I started eventing, the lowest level was Novice, 3foot 6 in xc and 3ft 9 SJ.
Then they invented Pre-Novice….I remember Mark Philips writing in H&H that it was a bad idea and lowering the Sport! Then some time later they brought in Intro, it looked ridiculously small! Eventually it all changed to the 80, 90 and 100 we have now below Novice.
I realise with the expense of everything and so many Health and Safety Rules that it gradually became impossible for Riding Clubs and Pony Clubs to put on the lower levels for people to learn before they tried Affiliated, so British Eventing filled the gap. But 60? Surely not? My grandchildren were jumping 60 at unaffiliated things by the age of about 7 or 8, it’s barely 2foot.
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Yes it is tiny, but so what?! It’s not as if it is a being run as a replacement for the bigger classes. BE is struggling, it needs a shake up to continue; look at the enormous popularity of the Cotswold cup which starts at 70.

There is no benefit in affiliated eventing being an elitist sport, which if it is no one jumping less than novice is welcome. I’ve not jumped competitively in a long time, but jump judge quite frequently. I’d certainly give a 60cm class a go if I had the right horse to support the sport, but would never have a crack at PN height.

I think it’s a great idea, and will hopefully provide a bit of a stepping stone for those wanting to get a feel of affiliated competition
 
What is the dressage phase for 60cm?

It's 2 ft exactly; with so many places doing arena eventing ODEs now unaff I'm surprised they think there will be participants. Surely cheaper and easier to just go along to your local unaffiliated than have to go and join BE first. though accessibility is always good I just don't really see what gap this is supposed to be filling.
 
FieldOrnaments said:
What is the dressage phase for 60cm?

It's 2 ft exactly; with so many places doing arena eventing ODEs now unaff I'm surprised they think there will be participants. Surely cheaper and easier to just go along to your local unaffiliated than have to go and join BE first. though accessibility is always good I just don't really see what gap this is supposed to be filling.
Click to expand...

There is no dressage phase, it is arena eventing. And you don’t have to be a BE member unless you want to go to the championships
 
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