Hard Novice

[Louise_88]

Got a horse who might be doing an Intermediate this year, but before he goes up a level we want to test him over a tough novice. So whats the hardest Novices you know?
Thanks in advance.

 

[little_pink_piggies]

barbury castle, but entries for that have closed now... struggling to think of what else.... wilton perhaps?

 

[ElleJS]

I would be another to say Barbury, not that its hard, but its very substantial and got more atmosphere than your average novice.

 

[little_pink_piggies]

yeah i just thought that barbury had alot of different types of fences in that like you say you dont get in your average novice and the waters were both quite testing... cant think of anywhere else!

 

[Bossanova]

Havent walked it for a few years but Stockland Lovell is supposed to be a fairly tricky novice.
Tweseldown can throw in some tricky skinnies etc

 

[SpottedCat]

I would second Stockland Lovell - all the courses there are notorious for causing problems and all look to me like 'upgrade' courses so if your horse is happy at SLM they could probably cope at an easier course the level above. Also Barbary - only seen pics but my god it is massive!

Of course I am of limited use having only walked novice courses not ridden them!!

 

[LEC]

I would agree on Stockland Lovell and with all this rain the round should be perfect. The SJ is never that big at SLM though (good thing for me!)

Bit late maybe but Charlton Park is quite tough. If you have an old copy of Eventing magazine look up courses with less that 50 - 65% completions!