United States Eventing Association

I was told recently that the most useless piece of information in the USEA Omnibus relates to the course description and reads as follows: "Courses suitable for horses with some experience at this level". The complaint is that this description gives the riders no idea whether this is an appropriate course for their horse or for them. How often are we told to go to XYZ horse trials because it is a great move-up course for a horse or rider wanting to try the next level. For years XYZ horse trials has had this reputation, except this year a new course designer took over and the course is now at the top end of the level so if you have a horse, or are a rider, that is new to the level you may find yourself out of your depth. "This isn't so," you will hear some say. "The courses are standardized so every course is at the same heights and dimensions." So why do we see such a difference in novice, training or even preliminary courses from event to event? Why do some events have the reputation of being softer courses and some are known to be championship level courses and you and your horse had better be at the top of your game to take it on. Organizers are telling us that they using their websites to alert riders to the fact that the course has been upgraded so you will always want to check the event's website to see a more detailed description. But what would happen if all the courses were beefed up and that "good move-up" course is no more. Do you want to enjoy competing over courses where the fences are of the height and width for the level but perhaps you don't want to see a max height/width trakehener at fence 3 or some other less technical combinations? Should there be an entry level training course (say level) a stronger, more challenging training level course (Level II) and a championship training level course which means you are more than ready to go prelim (Level III)? The Level III training courses will count for qualifications (perhaps Level II also) but the Level I courses will not count for qualifications for moving up. Give us your opinion. For those of you who have been eventing for some years, have you seen a change in the level of difficulty of the novice through preliminary courses or do you think they are pretty much the same as they were ten years ago? Share your thoughts with us -- we want to know what you think? USEA