Best B.E Novice courses SJ and XC?

Emma24

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Really sorry i'm sure this question has been asked about 100 times.
But I was wondering where people felt were easy straight forward novice tracks , mainly around the southwest but other places as well.
Also places with fairly flat show jumping arena, and generally with small sj.
Don't really mind big or technical xc, but hate sj so wheres the best place for good sj.

Or Novices B.E's that people don't like?
For example I love shipton moyne xc but think the SJ is always huge do people agree?

Thanks
 
Gatcombe - Big and bold XC but not technical although SJ does cause a few more problems.
Belmont - Pretty straightforward SJ on a bit of a slope but otherwise ok
Winkleigh - Very straightforward
Nutwell Court - Bit more testing than the 2 above but nice SJing usually pretty straighforward.
 
Actually Smith's Lawn wouldn't be too bad for you from Wiltshire (depending which side of it you live on!), their sj is small, and xc ok, although all in amongst the trees and hard to get the time as a result.
 
I love somerley xc
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Its very well built and a lovely event in general. Only think is the SJ does tend to get very wet.
 
I'm a SJ wimp, and I as well as those mentioned so far I also like Stockland Lovell Novice - SJ has been on a surface each time I've been and I found it jumped well.

I have had nightmare SJs at Spring Hill in the past but last year I found it OK, and I love the XC - quite old fashioned.

One to avoid, IMO, is Moreton Morrell - I just can't SJ in their arena, and the warm up can be carnage!
 
Best first time novices are:
Bricky(v.nice Sjing), West Wilts (very straightforward), Belmont, Nutwell (v. easy xc). I think SLM Sjing is a nightmare this year they had a triple off a tight corner and its usually up to height. The XC is usually bang up to height and technicality.
 
My thoughts are that Belmont, Stonar, West wilts, are all good first time novice courses. I wouldnt want to do SLM until I was more established, I always have more SJ's down there than anywhere else, the XC is also fairly technical.
 
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