Start at intro or PN?

[BroadfordQueen]

I am still debating with myself whether to take Queenie to an intro at the start of the season, or jump straight in at PN?

She has been mainly competing at PN level, and finished the season on a Novice, where she went clear xc. I took her to a 3ft hunter trial a few weeks after I got her and she popped round it easily. I will have taken her xc schooling before the event. She is showjumping with me at 1.05m at the moment, we are making the transition up to 1.10ms at our next show.

Her flatwork is brilliant, we have really clicked and the person who used to ride her was very impressed with how she was going when she saw us compete. Shes won a dengie dressage qualifier class (open) and came 2nd in another (novice).

So basically all the groundwork is there, it is just a case of the experience of an ODE as a whole really. I know that we have plenty of time and I don't want to rush her, but I do wonder if an intro will be abit...beneith her? However, her dressage is good enough to do well at intro, so it could give us a good confidence boost.

I think I just answered my own question there didn't I!!

 

[lucym]

yes!! i would have though theres no point in rushing with her as its your first season, do an intro and get a confidence boost and see where you stand after that

 

[kerilli]

is she sensible xc? if she gets a bit keen, tbh i'd start at PN, because if she's been doing PN and a N she might find Intro so small that she won't back off her fences at all. if she's sensible, i'd do whatever you feel happy with, although it sounds as if Intro would be very small for you both tbh!

 

[only_me]

jump in at PN - if you have problems, you can always move down to intro.
if you have problems at intro you cant really go anywhere

and it sounds as though PN is well within both your abilities

 

[dieseldog]

If you did well at the Intro you might get to ride at Badminton.....

 

[lucym]

see this is why i never progress

i say intro and you all say PN

i need to toughen up and be more positive i think as i always take the lower options, in life in gneral

 

[BroadfordQueen]

She is a bit of a hot head when it comes to xc, finds it all very exciting

But is controllable. I do worry about her finding intro too easy and getting strong and cocky round the xcountry, I also know she wont showjump as well at intro as she wont make an effort. But then again, standard is obviously lower at intro level so we are in with a good chance, would love to qualify for an IRF

I havent jumped her over any seriously big xc jumps yet though. The person who did the novice with her (not her usual rider) hadn't ridden her xcountry, just got on her and took her straight round, but she was a good rider

Still no closer to deciding!! I will ride through the dressage tests, see whether intro or PN tests ride better

 

[crackersluvrat]

I would start at PN sounds like you will both be well-prepared for that level.

 

[freckle]

If you finished on a Novice, I'm sure you'll find PN fine for your first event. Try to pick an event which you've been to before, and preferably one which you found quite easy. That way you already know you can do it!

 

[igglepiggle]

I'm with peachesandcream but then I'd always err on the side of caution and would rather move up with confidence than move down because of a problem. Besides, sounds like you are still getting to know each other.

 

[Baked Bean]

How about you find an intro which is a bit tricker and start with that, or a pre-novice which is straighforward. ...

 

[Baked Bean]

[ QUOTE ]
see this is why i never progress

i say intro and you all say PN

i need to toughen up and be more positive i think as i always take the lower options, in life in gneral

[/ QUOTE ]

Me 2, I need to do this!!