'Big' Novices

Gamebird

Gamebird

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I am looking for some 'big' novices for a seven year old who is being aimed at the CIC* at Hutton-in-the-Forest in June and possibly a CCI* later in the season. I was thinking along the lines of Belton, Osberton and Chatsworth (providing the first couple of events go fine).

Are these the bigger sort of novices and would they be a good prep? I am thinking about an intermediate but probably not before June. I have heard particularly that Chatsworth is quite fearsome!

Anyone done these three at Novice? How big/technical are they (especially the SJ?)
 
Weston was always a decent track, rode nicely but they learn a lot from it.
Henbury courses are all good and educational too. anything designed by Janet Plant is a good start!
agree about Belton, never done N at Osberton, Chatsworth N was decent when i eyed it up while walking the A.
that's all the xc courses, i don't pay a lot of attention to the sj courses, sorry, i always think they're much of a muchness.
hope other people are more informative!
 
Thanks, he jumped clear round Henbury as six year old at the end of last season - I always think it's decent-ish as well!. Weston is a bit far as we are in Yorkshire but may have to make some back-up plans if the weather this season is anything like last.
 
Brigstock was huge last year. The only Novice track we did last year where the pony struggled a bit.

The SJ was over height too. Used some Jump for Joy wings with the cups at 1.20 pony jumped SJ clear though. The XC certainly gave daughter a bit of a fright!
 
Barbury and Stockland Lovell. Stockland is not big big but technical.
 
Forgot about Barbary thank you! That was always billed as a big one. We often go to Cheshire so may give Bradwall a go, I have a PN as well so that would get them both out at the same time (opportunities for that are going to be few and far between).

I love Aske - it's easily my favourite event. The XC is meaty but always rides well. I remember one of the pro's in H&H last year saying it was the biggest novice course he had ridden last season. He had just won his section though so he may have been 'bigging it up' a bit! The SJ is on a very undulating bit of ground which catches out those who clearly only ever jump in arenas and helps the rest of us catch up!
 
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