Burghley Young Event Horse - Advice Please

[racer]

Just looking for some advice please about competing my youngster.

I have a well bred 2 year old warmblood filly currently standing 16.1hh. I bought her with the intention to affiliate in either BSJA or BE but my main ambition has been to compete at a good level in BE. I am interested in how I take her from now, an unbroken 2 year old to Burghley Young Event Horse as a 4 year old.

I am not daft - I know this can't be guaranteed and all the rest but what I am interested in is what type and level of training she needs to be doing as a 3 year old to compete in a class such as Burghley Young Event Horse. I have been riding myself since the age of 2 and have ridden for various showing studs(I'm now in my 20s) worked for showjumpers etc but everyone has their own ideas and methods on what sort of training is right for a youngster. A 3 day event class is obviously a big step for a young horse.

I have other horses that I have taken on from young, but they progressed to affiliated level at an older age. This horse is a serious competition prospect and "I don't want to get it wrong" and spoil her, but I do want to ensure we get a good competition record with her. I have struggled to find good understanding trainers in my area(maybe I'm looking in the wrong places) so just wondering thoughts of others on here?

 

[Sarah_Jane]

It all so much depends how the horse develops in its training both physically and mentally and that you can only play be ear.

Me personally I like to see them shown in hand as a youngster if possible at County Level (sports horse class hunter etc) to give them experience of a big show without any ridden pressure. Doesn't matter if they are competitive but to see the sights does them the world of good.

Personally I wouldn't over do a 3 year old, break it in the Autumn and establish walk, trot and canter and an obedient pop. If coping with this well then maybe a show to wander round and get used to the atmosphere. I would then turn away and bring back in late winter spring and start preparing for the classes. If you have established the basics at 3 you can quickly cement these and start some competive outings. Again if you put the training in at home I wouldn't over do the competitive work but certainly you want them going to a busy show / dressage comp and be able to do a reasonable test and pop a British Novice.

As I say though listen to the horse as you are gioing and if you are looking for a big career as an event horse don't rush the 4 year old year just to get to BYEH as the more solid foundations you can get now the better things will be in the future.

 

[zxp]

I've entered on one horse, and with her it was not "prepare her for BYEH" but develop her education correctly and if she was ready for BYEH then that was a bonus.

Like Sarah Jane says, at this young age it is about the long term goal. Alot of her advise is very wise and pretty much what I would do in terms of timeline.

With regards to trainers - which area are you in? I'm sure someone on here can recommend someone.

 

[racer]

Thanks for the advice so far.

Yes I didn't mean to sound like the BYEH was the be all and end all for me, it's just how to get a 2 year old to that sort of level whilst still at that young age and yes it would be nice to have her ready for that type of class by then.

She hasn't been out showing yet but I'll definitely look at doing something possibly over the winter with indoor showing and maybe some outdoor shows in the spring.

I am in the west Cheshire area - there may be some good trainers I haven't come across, unfortunately my horses took a back seat for the last few years as I have been competing for Team GB in another sport so although I still kept up my riding with my other horses, I took a "step out" from the horsey world to focus on my other sport - hence why I may not have seen the good trainers as yet!