This just in from the US Eventing Association!

Effective August 1, 2018 the qualifications for the Beginner Novice and Novice Classic Three Day Events has changed to include the following:

  • three horse trials at the same level or higher as the 3Day entered that meet the MERs (see below)
  • plus one additional horse trials at the same level or higher with no more than 20 jump penalities
  • two of these horse trials must be completed as the same horse and rider pair that is entering the 3Day
  • these qualifications must take place within the 24 months prior to the start of the 3Day
  • MERs (minimum eligibility requirement) are as follows:
    • Dressage – no more than 50 penalty points
    • Cross-Country – no jumping penalties and no more than 36-time penalties
    • Show Jumping – no more than 16 jump penalties

The changes have been made to insure that competitors at these levels are properly prepared for the classic three-day format. In the past, these levels only needed to complete four horse trials with any numerical score. There was no time limit to the requirements either and riders could have achieved these requirements on any number of different horses.

— USEA Classic Series Task Force Chair Gretchen Butts (Waredaca, Laytonsville) stated, “In the past, the Training and above competitors have been very prepared for this sort of competition but the Novice competitors have been a mixed bag with many not really being ready for a championship style course and the demand of the long format.” Butts added that the changes for these levels were made based on safety and to keep these levels current with the requirements of the upper levels.

For those looking to compete at the Beginner Novice Classic 3Day at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown) and Novice Classic 3Day at Waredaca (Laytonsville) this October, please double check your qualifications to make sure you meet these new requirements.