United States Eventing Association

New Qualification Requirements and Dressage Tests for the Beginner Novice and Novice Classic Series Levels Effective May 1, 2023

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is proud to announce several exciting updates to the guidelines for the USEA Classic Series Beginner Novice and Novice Classic Three-Day events for the 2023 competition season. As of May 1, 2023, new qualification requirements for competing in the Beginner Novice and Novice Classic Three-Day divisions, as well as new dressage tests specific to these Classic levels, will go into effect. Continue reading for a full breakdown on how this will affect your road to a Beginner Novice or Novice Classic Three-Day Event this year!

The Classic Three-Day Event Task Force has been hard at work updating the qualification requirements for competing in the Classic Series. At the December Board of Governor’s Meeting during the 2022 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention, the Board approved the updated qualification requirements for Beginner Novice and Novice Classic Three-Day events. Now, any competitor and horse that has achieved one or more Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) as a combination at the Beginner Novice or Novice level, respectively, within 18 months of the start of a given Classic event will be qualified to compete at said level. Therefore, competitors and their horses will only need one MER as a combination at a Beginner Novice level or higher horse trials to compete in a Beginner Novice Classic Three-Day, or one MER as a combination at a Novice level or higher horse trials to compete in a Novice Classic Three-Day.

“Reducing the number of MERs as a combination for Beginner Novice and Novice lowers the barrier and enables more competitors to choose to attend a Classic Three-Day instead of move up the levels,” said Classic Three-Day Event Task Force member Chris Donovan. “Classics have an educational component that focuses on safe galloping, competition skills, and horsemanship, and we want to make sure these great learning opportunities are made available to as many competitors as possible.”

The official language for the updated qualification requirements is as follows. Click here for a full listing of Classic Series Qualifications.

Beginner Novice Classic Three-Day Event (BN3D): Open to competitors of any age, on horses 4 years of age or older. The competitor and horse together must achieve one or more Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) at a recognized Beginner Novice level or higher horse trials. A competitor established at the Training Level may compete on a horse which has obtained a MER at the Beginner Novice Level or higher with a different rider. All qualifying competitions must be completed within 18 months of the start of the competition.

Novice Classic Three-Day Event (N3D): Open to competitors of any age, on horses 4 years of age or older. The competitor and horse together must achieve one or more Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) at a recognized Novice level or higher horse trial. A competitor established at the Training level may compete on a horse which has obtained a MER at the Novice Level or higher with a different rider. All qualifying competitions must be completed within 18 months of the start of the competition.

In addition, the Board of Governor’s has approved new Classic Series dressage tests for the Beginner Novice and Novice levels. The 2023 USEA Classic Series Beginner Novice and Novice Dressage Tests were drafted by Gretchen Butts, Classic Three-Day Event Task Force Co-Chair and Level 3 FEI Eventing TD and Judge, Marilyn Payne, Level 3 FEI Eventing Judge and S Dressage Judge, and Sue Smithson, S Eventing Judge and R Dressage Judge.

“The updated Beginner Novice and Novice Classic dressage tests have been specifically designed for either a small or standard arena,” said Butts. “These tests continue to encourage correct riding at the standard of each level and are fair and quite suitable.”

Payne also noted that “it is the same basic movements [as the horse trials dressage tests for these levels] in a variation that makes for a longer test that can be ridden in the large arena. It makes it much more interesting test for the riders and for the spectators watching it.”

Click here to review the official 2023 USEA Classic Series Beginner Novice and Novice Dressage Tests under the “Dressage Tests” heading.

Are you interested in competing in a Beginner Novice or Novice Classic Three-Day Event this year? Start memorizing the new dressage tests today, and view the schedule below for all of the events that will host these levels in 2023:

Beginner Novice and Novice Classic Three-Day Events in 2023:

Indiana Eventing Association (IEA) | June 2-4, 2023 | Edinburgh, IN (Area VIII) – BN, N

Summer Coconino H.T. and Western Underground Inc. | July 7-9, 2023 | Flagstaff, AZ (Area X) – BN, N

The Event at Rebecca Farm | July 19-23, 2023 | Kalispell, MT (Area VII) – N only

Spokane Sport Horse 9th Annual Fall H.T. | September 28 – October 1, 2023 | Spokane, WA (Area VII) – BN, N

Waredaca | October 27-29, 2023 | Laytonsville, MD (Area II) – BN, N

Ram Tap Horse Park H.T.| November 17-19, 2023 | Fresno, CA (Area VI) – BN, N

For more information about the USEA Classic Series, please contact Kate Lokey, (703) 779-9897.

For questions about qualifications, please contact Sharon Gallagher, (703) 669-9995.

Helpful Links:

Classic Series Qualifications

Classic Series Guidelines

Entry Form for Classic Series

About the USEA Classic Series

The USEA Classic Series keeps the spirit of the classic long ­format three­-day events alive for Beginner Novice through the Preliminary levels, including the Modified level as well. Competitors can experience the rush of endurance day, including roads and tracks, steeplechase, the vet box, and cross­-country, as well as participate in formal veterinary inspections and educational activities with experts on the ins and outs of competing in a long ­format three-­day event. Riders who compete in a USEA Classic Series event during the year will have the chance to win a variety of prizes at the events from USEA sponsors. Click here to learn more about the USEA Classic Series.

The USEA would like to thank bronze sponsors FITS, SmartPak Equine and D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis Saddles, as well as contributing sponsors Bates Saddles and Parker Equine Insurance for supporting the USEA Classic Series.