Tell me about 4yo jumping classes... Please

[GSLS]

Hi All. I'm looking to do the 4yo age classes with my 2011 horse in 2015. I understand they are 90cm in the first rounds and get bigger (up to 1m) as the year goes on. I'm fine with the technicalities/fillers/rideability/height etc of the courses but I don't really know much about the formalities. I'm only doing them as I'm thinking of selling the neddy and thought if it's capable of jumping a BN, I might as well put it round a 4yo class. I've rang BSJA and they said I can do them on a ticket (I don't reg BSJA as don't do enough shows per year to warrant the £200 ish horse and rider fee plus I have several horses plus I don't really go to win as I'm not very competitive). - Just want the horse to go well!

What venues hold "age classes"? All I've been able to find out is Addington and Quainton so far... (Need things in the south/east anglia/east midlands/south east etc)...

When do they start? January? February? Until when?

How much are they? Same as a normal BN or more?

Are they as simple as just turning up and popping round a BN only it will just be 4yos in the class or are there any special technicalities I'm missing? Thanks.

I've done 4yo/5yo "young horse" dressage before which seemed pretty straight forward but I'm a bit clueless about the 4yo jumping classes. Deffo not enough of a rider to even consider doing 125 5yo classes in 2016 so really only looking to find out info about the 90/1m 4yo classes please.

As much info as poss!!!!! Thank you!!!!!


Oh and BSJA said as long as my horse's sire's side is completely recorded it's fine. - it is.

 

[TheMule]

If you're doing it to sell the horse then I'd advise affiliating as otherwise nothing will go on its record and that will put people off

 

[Lipza767]

If you plan to sell the horse i would think long and hard about jumping a 4 year old at that level. Id never buy anything i knew had been affiliated that young as id be worried about the long term soundness of the horse.

 

[Lucyloo25]

If the horse is capable of jumping in the age classes, I would register as people won't be able to track it's record which will put people off.

Wales and West do age classes as do Hickstead.
They tend to get bigger as the year goes on, so the early ones are often smaller compared to the bigger ones towards the end of the summer (Addington).

Weston Lawns also do age classes, I think they have a 3 day show in May.
Not as many places do 4 year olds, mostly it's mainly 5 year olds but there are a few.

Some people are put off by jumping age classes, but then some who are looking for something really talented are interested, it depends what market you are thinking of selling too.