A Novice horse aged 5 and in its first season may only compete at
Novice Level. All Novice horses in their first season may not start
in more than ten competitive rides and must only start rides to a
maximum distance of 450km whether or not the rides are completed
successfully. A horse presented to the pre-ride veterinary inspection
is considered to have started the ride. Rides available to
Novice Horse/Rider combinations are from 30-50km and are to be
completed at between 8-15kph.
A
Novice Level horse aged 6 yrs or over in its first season may
complete Open qualification ready to compete at Advanced level from
the start of its second season - providing the maximum distance is
not exceeded.
A
horse and rider must compete at the lowest qualification for the
combination. For example, an Open Level rider riding a Novice Level
horse can only compete at Novice Level.
First season horses may
complete their novice and open qualifications, providing age
requirements are satisfied. They must not upgrade or compete at
advanced level within one season.
However
riders may progress to Advanced Level within one season.
Minimum Requirements for Novice Horse or Rider to
Progress to Open Level
|
Minimum age of horse
|
Ride Types
|
Minimum No of Successful Completions
|
Distance
km
+/-5%
|
Conditions
|
|
5
|
CR
|
3
|
30-50
|
None (rides may be completed in any order of
distance)
|
Horses may not compete in Open CRs
until they are 6years old.
Only Novice horses in their first
season are eligible for the Novice Championship (assessed on 8-10
successful CRs of 45km or less. Distances as advertised in the
handbook).Novice trophy points awarded for max 40km only.
Novice horses may only enter CRs
on consecutive days if the total scheduled distance does not exceed
80km (+/- 5%).
Riders require the same series of ride qualifications to
upgrade but not necessarily as a combination.
At the end of the first season the mastercard must be returned to
the Office, regardless of the number of rides competed or the level
achieved.
Upgrading of horse or rider is not mandatory once
qualification criteria have been fulfilled, but riders or horses may
not enter rides above their registered level, regardless of
the level of experience attained.
The Technical Steward may upgrade
the horse or rider on the day of the ride if requested by the
rider/registered owner.
In circumstances where a horse and/or rider complete the
necessary qualification in order to enable them to upgrade, but have
not been formally upgraded by a TS, and they then compete in a class
which necessitates that they have upgraded, the horse and/or rider
shall be automatically upgraded by the Results Co-ordinator.
The Results Co-ordinator shall send notice to this effect.
If a horse or rider qualifies for the next level at a multi
day event they may compete in one further class at that event at the
next level. Exceptions being Novice 1st season
horses who have already reached the maximum 450km distance allowed
for the year.
Grading System
The grading system for Competitive Rides is designed to reward
horse fitness and good horsemanship.
Horses passing the final vetting shall be awarded a Grade based on
the horse's finishing heart rate which shall be taken over a full 60
seconds. Grading Parameters will apply.
Link
to download Novice grading chart 30-50km (pdf)
Link
to download Novice grading chart 30-50km (Excel Spreadsheet)
There are two national trophies for Novice horses and ponies:
The Mira Trophy
This
trophy was presented by Olive and Bernard Linge. It is awarded to the
champion novice horse/pony gaining the most points in CRs in their
first season of competition (see rules above) competing in rides of
no more than 45km. Distances shall be taken as published in the
current Handbook. For rides in excess of 40km, points will be
calculated for 40km only.
Max Shield
This trophy was presented by Susan Miles and
is awarded to the novice reserve champion.
