Rebecca Novice course?

[solstince]

Who's ran the Novice course at Rebecca?

I initially never thought I'd be able to compete my horse at Rebecca since I could barely canter a cross rail with him a month ago. However we just completed our first BN and will have 3 more events under our belt by Rebecca's date...1 or 2 of which should be N.

However, my trainer says that everything at the novice course at Rebecca is "maxed out". I'd love to hear from people first-hand out it rides...

[CdnRider]

I went with my 5y/o mare in 2009 to do Novice, I had only been competing at that level at 2 other shows prior to going. We also went early and schooled at Heron Park the Tuesday before. That said I am in Canada and our Pre-training (similar to Novice) is slightly bigger than your Novice, so doing Rebecca Farms after a couple Pre-Trainings here wasn't too difficult.

The jumps are solid which makes them appear maxed out, when they might not be. It also is a very fair course. There are some easier fences at the beginning and the first water is very easy to get into. I've run 2 horses there this one and then in 2008 I did Training with another horse. So I knew what the Novice course would be like before going.

It is an awesome place to experience and I had so much fun. I was upset last year that I wasn't able to go, and I moved too far away to go this year!

[flyracing]

The N-P courses at Rebecca are great. They are "rider scary" not horse scary. My horse did his first training level there as his third event ever (and won) as a 5 year old. The fences are solidly built and not trappy like many smaller venues will have. They have great grass footing and the blue water can make great photos (the horses seem to like it much better than black or shiny water!!!) The chance to go in and out of water 3+ times is great for the younger horses.

[solstince]

Thank you both for the info! I've watched the course tour and vids on Rebecca's site, the place looks absolutely amazing. I'm so excited to go just to watch, I almost want to leave my horse at home just so I have more time to watch everyone else!

My horse loves water, and the clear blue stuff is so much more inviting than the over-grown murky ponds I've seen some places. I'm thinking it would be good to school at least a few Training solid fences before running Novice there, it might give *me* confidence (my horse will be fine either way). I've still only ridden cross country, on any horse, 4 times...Does the Rebecca N course have a looky ditch? If my horse is going to get weird about anything, its going to be a ditch...he jumped the little BN ditch last weekend like it was a 3 ft oxer :)

My trainer mentioned that we are going early and would likely school at Heron Park. I think that's their usual routine.

[CdnRider]

I don't recall doing a ditch at Novice, there was a coffin at the Training level.

If you're concerned don't take your horse, it will be a blast either way and then you'll have the extra cash to go shopping!!

[ACMEeventing]

I initially never thought I'd be able to compete my horse at Rebecca since I could barely canter a cross rail with him a month ago. However we just completed our first BN and will have 3 more events under our belt by Rebecca's date...1 or 2 of which should be N.



I'm thinking it would be good to school at least a few Training solid fences before running Novice there, it might give *me* confidence (my horse will be fine either way). I've still only ridden cross country, on any horse, 4 times.

While I admire your enthusiasm, can't help but notice the obvious here. Great that your horse has confidence but they don't ride themselves. Seems rushing into Training level jumps without at least becoming confident at Novice is just a bad plan.

Maybe you are an incredibly fast learner, but 4 times going XC is not a solid foundation. Instead of asking which venue is better, maybe do some self reflection between you and your trainer to decide if this is the safest move for you and your horse.

Not trying to pick, just being honest.