Recognized vs. unrecognized events

[eloquence09]

I was thinking about this yesterday as I was sitting down trying to plan which events I want to enter later this summer through the fall. So far my 5yr old has done 4 events and all of them have been unrecognized. Partially I was trying to keep it low key so that he could just learn the program, but also trying to save some $$ because I am a college student on a budget. I recently renewed my USEA membership for the first time in 3 years, mainly because I intend to do a couple of the YEH events with my guy coming up. I am just wondering what your thoughts are about recognized vs. unrecognized events. Is it really worth it to fork out the extra $$ for a recognized event when I really have no desire to accumulate points or qualify for AECs or anything like that?? I went to the starter at plantation last month and the courses were kept the same from the recognized the day before. We are gearing up for the big Training move-up this fall so I guess it would behoove us to get a couple recognized novice's under our belt first but I'd just like to hear others' thoughts on the benefits of recognized vs unrecognized events. Thanks in advance!

[yellowbritches]

FOR ME it is totally worth the extra money, even at the lower levels. The courses are better, usually the footing is better maintained, the dressage judging, while still weird and frustrating, is at least of a higher standard usually, and the rules are rules. They are usually better organized and better run with very knowledgeable staff and volunteers. I also choose them over unrec stuff because it gives my horses a record, which comes in handy if you need to sell them.

On the occasions that I do run at an unrec or take someone to one, I pick the ones that are run by venues that hold recognized events, too, like, in this area Loch Moy, Waredaca, Fair Hill, and Plantation. Little changes in the quality department at these venues, with the occasional exception of the dressage judges. The last time I did an unrec at a venue that does not hold rec stuff left a sour taste in my mouth. The show jumping course was God aweful, the novice xc course was trappy and confidence shaking and I felt like that novice horse really suffered more than anything (will say, though, that the little bitty courses they had were very nice).

[luise]

I think it depends on what your intentions are. If you plan on eventually selling the horse, then I think you need to do some recognized events. Also, keep in mind that the dressage justing is often easier in unrecognized events (at least it is in my area), so you may want to do some recognized to see how you do. If you are just competing for fun and plan on keeping the horse, then I don't think it matters what you do.

[Ajierene]

Personally, I think unrecognized is great. In the area you have Plantation and Fair Hill that run the same quality horse trial recognized as they do unrecognized. At Fair Hill I can attest to same quality judges and same exact cross country course. The difference I noticed is tougher competition. This just means that a dressage score of 35 may get you 1st after dressage at the unrecognized course, but only 4th after dressage at recognized. You also tend to have less horses refusing jumps or taking rails.

You also have Olde Hope that has been running unrecognized trials for years and it is a great, fun atmosphere. There are a lot of people around so you still get the 'buzz' of a 'big' show, without quite as much stress.

DVCTA also holds now two horse trials at Carousel Park every summer. The course really flows and they are constantly improving (new water jump this year!)

In the area that you are in, if you are not looking for year end awards, unrecognized is a great way just to get your guy out there. Plantation and Carousel Park both offer trials up to Training level now, so you have a while before you need to double your fees.

[Gracington]

I seem to remember hearing that rec HT's were required to have medical personnel at the show while that might not be the case at an unrec HT, something you might want to check on, but hopefully never need.

[SevenDogs]

FOR ME it is totally worth the extra money, even at the lower levels. The courses are better, usually the footing is better maintained, the dressage judging, while still weird and frustrating, is at least of a higher standard usually, and the rules are rules. They are usually better organized and better run with very knowledgeable staff and volunteers. I also choose them over unrec stuff because it gives my horses a record, which comes in handy if you need to sell them.

On the occasions that I do run at an unrec or take someone to one, I pick the ones that are run by venues that hold recognized events, too, like, in this area Loch Moy, Waredaca, Fair Hill, and Plantation. Little changes in the quality department at these venues, with the occasional exception of the dressage judges. The last time I did an unrec at a venue that does not hold rec stuff left a sour taste in my mouth. The show jumping course was God aweful, the novice xc course was trappy and confidence shaking and I felt like that novice horse really suffered more than anything (will say, though, that the little bitty courses they had were very nice).

Agreed. Quality control tends to be much better at recognized shows.

[inquisitive]

Agreed. Quality control tends to be much better at recognized shows.

Agree as well. This is my first year doing recognized horse trials (just began eventing two years ago and only really started doing anything above BN) and I enjoy them immensely. I will probably still do one unrecognized as my first of the season and am aiming for VHT Starter (mostly because I have a free pass to it :D ) but will probably stick to recognized until I plan on moving up.

All the reasons everyone listed above.

If I need particular practice during the season (ie. not in the beginning of the spring), I'll go to some dressage or H/J shows or just school XC.

[wildlifer]

I think it depends on where you are and what level you are at. To me, it is not worth it to show recognized at BN/N because I'm not chasing points. I have a selection of great unrec events to choose from within two hours drive. The courses are good, staff is great and all are safe and well run. Why in the world would I spend 2 or 3 times as much money and get basically the same thing????

Now if I was going Training or higher, options are much more limited, so then I'd probably pay for a few recognized events.

[carolinagirl191]

Wildlifer, I'm w/ you. We are blessed in the Carolinas to have great venues that host rec. and unrec. There is a big difference in expense and my $ goes further (As in more outings and or lessons) at the intro levels. At T or P very few unrec. options.
As for the comment on emergency personel, I just don't think that way. We trail ride, hunter pace, fox hunt and event. I'm off road on a horse everyday. The one time I needed emergency services, they were there in under 20 minutes. Yes, having them on grounds is a wonderful luxury, but not a deciding factor on entering a competition.

[Beam Me Up]

I guess I'm really cheap, but I try to get most of the BN/N stuff done unrecognized (at the better unrecongized venues--as people have pointed out, they vary a lot more than recognized).

At T I think the recognized is usually worth it, since there aren't many unrec T in my area, and those that exist are split between very easy and not well done (so, you could do an easy one or two, but then what?).

Not sure if I could ever pay $150 to go rec BN, but I will do rec N if I have a horse for sale, as I do think that makes a better resume.

As far as the OP's question, I do not think you have to do rec N to be ready for rec T, esp if money is tight, but you do need to make sure you're very comfortable schooling all types of T questions, and maybe a little more.

[Speedy]

I don't think you are necessarily going to be well prepared for rec T after doing only unrec N. It depends on what unrec events you go to, of course - but even here in Area II, where there are a number of well run unrec events to choose from, they tend to be geared to move-ups - so, for example, the N level at unrec is often going to be soft (sometimes very, very soft), so not necessarily the best indicator as to whether or not you are really ready for the move up. Ideally, I think you would do a couple of rec N courses, or a couple of unrec T courses before moving up to T at a rec event. But - that's just me - I am very conservative about preparation and honestly not a huge fan of what I see (and have experienced myself) at unrec events.