The Beginner Novice Three-Day is for classic format enthusiasts of all ages. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The USEA Classic Series continues to grow in popularity each year, and the Beginner Novice Three-Day (BN3DE) expanded to five offerings on the 2018 calendar. The Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy in Adamstown, Maryland is bringing a BN3DE to Area II for the first time next month on October 11-14, 2018.
Entries close TODAY, so now is the time to decide — will you take on the classic long format as your season end goal? Will you dig deep and battle it out in Maryland for BN3DE glory? We put together a list of five reasons why you should enter.
1. Experience the thrill of the classic long format. While we bid farewell to the FEI long format last decade, competitors at the national level can still relive the glory days. The BN3DE has all four phases of cross country set at Beginner Novice height: phases A & C (roads & tracks), B (steeplechase), and D (endurance).
The steeplechase phase for the BN3DE has optional jumps, so you can choose to just gallop around the steeplechase track at 400 mpm, add in one or two jumps, or jump them all — the choice is yours.
2. Learn from the best in Carol Kozlowski. One of the hallmarks of the USEA Classic Series is the education component. BN3DE competitors at Maryland H.T. are in for a real treat with USEA President Carol Kozlowski as lead clinician.
Never jogged your horse before for a formal inspection? No worries! Carol will walk you through the whole process prior to the official first horse inspection at the BN3DE. There will also be clinics for roads & tracks and steeplechase so you have a chance to practice before taking on the real thing.
Other educational demonstrations and clinics will include everything you need to know about the vet box after cross country, walking your cross country course, and using proper cross country equipment such as studs.
3. Ride around an Ian Stark track. That’s right — the legendary Ian Stark (who has SIXTEEN medals to his name) designs all of the cross country courses for Maryland H.T. from Beginner Novice to Intermediate level, plus the CIC* and CIC2* tracks for the summer horse trials.
Ian designs some of the biggest and best courses in the world — Tattersalls in Ireland, Chatsworth and Bramham in England, and Rebecca Farm and Carolina International in the U.S. just to name a few. Think of the street cred and bragging rights when you tell all your friends you rode around an Ian Stark track.
4. Step up your dressage game. Thinking of moving up to Novice level in the 2019 season? The BN3DE is the perfect opportunity to test the waters as it uses the USEF Novice Test A. (For anyone needing a bit of a dressage inspiration, we highly recommend revisiting this classic video.)
5. Be the first to take on Loch Moy’s new sunken road. Loch Moy’s new sunken road will be unveiled at the the October horse trials, along with a slew of other course improvements. The new sunken road also has a liner and can be used as a water jump at next year’s events.
The new sunken road at Loch Moy. Photo courtesy of Carolyn Mackintosh.
Are you qualified? To compete in the BN3DE at Maryland H.T., you and your horse must have three qualifying scores together at the Beginner Novice level or higher, plus one additional qualifying score with no more than 20 jumping penalties. The qualifying timeframe is 24 months prior to the start of the competition. Click here to read more about qualifying for the BN3DE.
Entry information: Entries are due today for the BN3DE and all other levels (Intermediate, Preliminary, Modified, Training, Novice, Beginner Novice) but post entries will be accepted with a $75 late fee. Click here to view the omnibus listing. You can enter on EventEntries.com or Xentry.
Are you planning to compete in the BN3DE at Maryland? Let us know in the comments below.
Go Classic Series. Go Eventing.
