PAVO vs BYEH

viola

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Could I have your opinions on both please? If you had a talented young event horse (5yrs old) which series would you choose and why? I noticed many pros go for both - what are the differences etc?
I know the BYEH's structure but don't know much about PAVO.
Thanks
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PAVO is basically a ODE for specific age group. At 5yrs old it is PN level, and to qualify for the finals you need to know the horses breeding, as is meant to pomote good breeding.

BYEH is just a combined training exercise, and is 1.05m SJing and a simple dressage test, marked on overall way of going as opposed to indidvidual movements. BYEH final is open to those with unknown breeding, and obviously the final is held at Burghley!
 
PAVO qualifiers and finals are run at BE events as a special class for horses of that age group. I think the thing about PAVO is it's a much more accurate test of a young horse's eventing potential - after all you're competing at an event rather than in a glorified showing class, which is what BYEH can be at times. For a start it has a XC round, and for the SJ and XC at least you get marked objectively on the horse's performance rather on some rather subjective scale based on what the judge happens to like that day. If you have a horse which is maybe not a typical BYEH 'type' this might be a better competition for you. That said, BYEH is a more prestigious competition, and if you're thinking about PAVO you would obviously need to be sure your horse was confident at pre-novice level, as the 5 year old is run at this level (4 year olds do intro, 5 year olds PN, 6 year olds novice). I did the 6 year olds 2 years ago and the competition was pretty stiff!

If it was me I'd probably do both if you can. Hope that helps!
 
Thank you, that's very useful - the horse was only backed a few months ago and has just turned 4; is very talented and learns quickly. I am aiming her at BYEH but was thinking maybe could do some PAVO qualifiers (and probably come last with all the pros enetered!) is she feels like she wants to have a go
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Not sure if a jump from intro to PN in one season in her first ridden year would be a wise move though...
 
Doesnt matter if there are Pros in teh PAVO classes as they could have a stop/fall poles etc etc then you would beat them!!

I think PAVO's are much fairer then BYEH but both are good experience
 
True, I shall keep saying that to myself up until next year when it is time to enter the qualifiers
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Horse dishes slightly (but is otherwise a quality girl) so I am not holding much hope for good 'showing' score!
 
If the horse is ready for a pre novice I would do both. They are both good education for youngsters. The PAVO provides a good indication of their eventing potential. In YEH classes the horse has to be the right type and sometimes it appears that if you have a name on board you have an advantage. I would be wary of PAVOs for 4 yr olds simply because I'm not keen for young horses to be galloping across country at such an early stage. I have done both with my horses
 
but you dont have to gallop, the 4yr olds are allowed 7mins to get round and of course you would be very wary of ground with 4yr olds.

i much prefer PAVO'S to BYEH
 
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