First one star?

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Danindigo

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Im thinking about maybe having a go at a 1 star later in the year. Is there a huge difference between a novice track & a 1 star? And where will be the best place to go bearing in mind that im midlands based? There doesn't seem to be many one day 1 stars around at all bur would prefer that as the entry fee is so huge!
Suggestions welcome!
 
Do you mean CCI* or CIC* if doing CCI* I think Blair is a lovely event. Haven't been for a few years but last time I did go I was like, "I could jump that fence" and I had only done Pre-Novice and a few PC opens. The event is really friendly and lots of evening entertainement. I have been put off Weston Park after my sister went a few years ago. The organisers and stable managerss were really rude and very little put on for the competitors. But that was 5 years ago.
 
Good first time CCI1* would be
Hartpury (altho ground is hard)
Blair Castle
Aldon
Chepstow (altho ground can be wet which makes course influencial)

CIC*
only have 1 in this country and thats for 6 year olds at Gatcombe in the autumn
Other wise Necarne, Martinvast are really nice
 
Ede in holland was meant to be a lovely 1* too!
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Chepstow is a fab course, but depends on weather from what i have seen/heard!
 
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Can I add a question as I've always wondered. How to you qualify for a 1*?

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Would need to check the rules but you need to be pretty established at Novice (I think you need 3 or 4 qualifying results) and on top of that you need to have done either a Novice 2 day or an Intermediate.
 
The easiest one I have walked round is Aldon. I think its not that much different to the Novice with just a few more technical fences. I would never run at Hartpury as ground is always hard though the SJ is on the surface. Saying that they make a big effort with the ground especially since the CIC 3* has been there.
Chepstow always seems to be wet! But aparantly its a lovely event.
Weston Park and Houghton also have 1*
 
Hartpury make a huge effort with the ground and often water through the night to make it ok so dont rule it out. Thats a nice 1* and has a good atmosphere. Aldon is a nice one, fairly straightforward but not to be taken for granted, they always manage to catch a fair few out in the combinations.
Weston's got good atmosphere and a slightly more challenging track.

I believe the CIC* at Gatcombe is open to all ages, not just 6 year olds
 
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thats good, i thought Gatcombe was going to be a CICYH*

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You could be right, I hadnt heard the latest
 
Weston is very nice did it as our first last year. I do think you need to do at least an easy intermediate before trying 1* as it is more technical and they certainly build it to maximum dimensions.
 
They are photos on Harry's Website. www.peak-photo.co.uk There may be some on their own website as well. You could always do the 2DE at Burgie. Blair is a lovely course, I have dreams of doing the CCI* at Blair.

My sister did her first CCI* having only done 2 novices as she was doing JRNs. My mum was terrified that she hadn't done enough but she went on to have a double clear.
 
You can also qualify by going clear in a Novice 2 day event but as a 1* doesn't have roads and tracks I think the better route is to have done a Intermediate clear.
 
Blair is going to be seriously good this year, as the YR europeans will be there- it will have a fab atmosphere.
 
If you want a CIC, then Ballygraffan in N Ireland is a v good event. It runs a CIC* and ** the third weekend in April, and I believe either P&O or stena are doing an offer for half price on the ferry if attending that event.
The course is great, and is no expense spared, built by Willis bros. Mark and Tanya Kyle come over usually, and a few other brits, but always room for more.
Fiona
 
My daughter (eventer88) did Martinvast as a first one star, and to be honest is wasnt that much more expensive (entry fees and stabling MUCH cheaper - just ferry crossing added up). Martinvast was wonderful - real international atmosphere and very nice and welcoming organisers (it was a nice 'holiday' for us - her parents!!) so dont rule it out. She also did Bonn Rodderberg as her first 3 day - again good - made cheaper by sharing transport! So dont rule out a 'true international' event for your first one star, so good luck!
 
Aldon would be a straight forward CCI* at the end of the year. Hartpury is but their ground is just so [****] i dont' care how much they try with it its still rock hard and i woudln't run on it. Burgie is big but built to ride well, Chepstow meant to be nice.

I'm aiming for Houghton Hall then Blair - know Blair is good but hoping Houghton will be too!!

All CCI* entries are the same so go to one that gives the best atmosphere and sense of occasion not necessarily the nearest. Why pay ££££ to go to Weston in the mud and rain when you can go to Blair in the sun and glamorous location!
 
sw123 - is the pic of you in your sig, second from the left, taken at Burgie? Looks like the drop from last years 1 day Novice?! Am aiming for the 2 day N this year. But there's the odd fence which scares the hell out of me!
 
Apparently, the xc will be more like an Intermediate than a Novice one day track.

there's a new CCI* at the end of May at Houghton Hall near Kings Lynn, which will be good for the midlanders, like myself.

I'm planning on going, and we're fully qualified up, so fingers crossed! It will be my first too, so I am also a 1* virgin!

I'm told Weston Park is not a first timer, but Aldon is good, and Chepstow, Hartpury and Blair.

Qualifications are 4 or 5 (can't remember which) xc clears at Novice and either a xc clear at a 2Day or an Intermediate. But I was told that doing one or two Intermediates beforehand will stand you in good stead.
 
Thats like me Petrie and i haven't ridden since January either!! Not properly anyway but Houghton here we come fingers crossed!!!

Yes first 3 pics are from Burgie 2 day. OMG thats a big course, as Ian Stark loved to tell me "that novice 2 day track is bigger than the CCI* at Blair" Thank you!!! Shares a lot of CCI* fences and hardly any with the 1 day novice. WAs fun though!
 
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