What do you look for in a Novice event horse?

E

Eventinglife

Active Member
Joined
31 May 2015
Messages
36
Visit site
Hi everyone!

Sadly, due to a change in circumstance, my loan mare is now retiring early, and we will soon be on the search for my new partner in crime!
So my question to you is:
What do you look for in a Novice level event horse?
I want to compete at BE Novice with scope possibly for Intermediate in a couple of years, so just wanted to hear your thoughts on what qualities this kind of horse needs.

Many thanks.
 
For one that is out competing I would want to buy from an amateur or lady professional. I would forgive a few errors if it were ridden by an amateur. No huge gaps in it's record, and currently competing would be preferable.

If you are looking at a younger horse then I would look for a horse that is naturally brave, and would want to see it over ditches, steps, water albeit small. Good technique over a fence and a desire to get to the other side. I would think twice about a horse that had a tendency to nap.

I would also look at whether its dam and sire had evented, for how long and to what level.
 
Thanks for the advice. I obviously don't want something that has gained loads of points at Novice, as otherwise would not be able to compete myself, other than HC, so looking at something doing BE100 ready for Novice as opposed to one consistently competing in Novices.
 
I usually go for young horses (usually around 4 or 5) that are brave naturally and have the right attitude to work. If they want to work and work with you then novice shouldn't be a problem! :)

As a 4 or 5 year old they should be happy to jump but not freak out if they are wrong to a fence, and should make an attempt to jump it. If they aren't happy to jump off a wrong stride at 90cms they are unlikely to be able to do the same at a bigger fence - one of the reasons I love going xc on Bill is that he always wants to jump the fence & requires very little setting up; he looks for the next fence.
If I was buying another this is the type of horse I would look for!
 
It does also depend on how experienced you are, and what you want from the horse. Have to ridden to Novice and above before, so are well placed to help out a greener horse, or you want something to show you the ropes?
Do you want to be competitive (need decent dr, consistent sj), or just gain experience/confidence (jumping machine-type)?

I'd pick something with a decent amount of blood, makes fitness/getting the time easier. Something that jumps boldly and economically, with good movement in the shoulder. And they must be able to cope with a mistake - no rider is perfect, not even pros, and I'm a fair way down from that :D so I need a horse that won't be put off by the occasional misser!
 
People used to say something that had hunted, so they could cope with all sorts of going and trappy fences, looking after themselves, but I'm not sure that people hunt their young event horses now as a routine thing.
 
Something naturally bold and that enjoys its job - can't think of anything worse than having to persuade a reluctant horse to take me xc! And it also mustn't routinely boil over in the dressage.

So long as the right attitude is there, most things can be worked on. With the wrong attitude, life is soooo much more difficult.
 
Thanks for advice.
Smja - I have competed up to 100 but school around Novice quite happily, so I wouldn't mind helping out a greenie, but I'd like it to be able to generally be confident and willing to give it a go even if I do get it wrong!��
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top