Transitioning From Novice To Training Level With Confidence

Moving up from Novice to Training Level is a significant step in an event horse’s education. The fences become more demanding, the pace requires greater accuracy, and the dressage test asks for a more organised, athletic partnership. For riders in Australia, the change may also involve translating terminology between international systems and local Equestrian Australia classes.

The strongest progression is built gradually. A capable Novice horse is not automatically ready for the next level simply because it can jump the height. Training Level asks for better preparation between fences, more reliable adjustability on the flat, and a rider who can make sensible decisions when conditions, terrain and competition pressure change.

Understand The Level Before Entering

Training Level generally means a more technical cross-country course, increased jumping demands and a greater expectation of balance and control. Exact heights, speeds and technical questions can vary by governing body and competition, so Australian riders should compare the relevant schedule with the local class they are considering. An EVA95 or Preliminary class may not be a direct equivalent in every respect.

Read the event schedule carefully rather than relying on the class name alone. Study the cross-country map, time allowed, water complexes, combinations, banks and any rules concerning protective equipment. Events near Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane can have very different ground conditions, gradients and weather, so a course that looks manageable on paper may ride differently in person.

A useful benchmark is whether the horse can complete Novice work with consistency rather than occasional brilliance. The partnership should be able to recover from a small mistake, maintain rhythm after a transition and approach a new question without rushing. Confidence at the lower level is valuable evidence, but it is not the only measure of readiness.

Build A More Adjustable Flatwork Base

At Training Level, flatwork is no longer simply about producing an obedient test. The horse needs to stay connected through transitions, remain supple through its back and respond promptly to half-halts. More balanced shoulder-fore work, lengthened strides and accurate lateral positioning can make the difference between a hurried performance and a composed one.

Keep schooling sessions focused and reasonably short. Practise moving between working, collected and more forward steps without allowing the horse to fall onto its shoulders. Transitions within the pace are particularly useful because they develop adjustability for cross-country while improving the quality of the dressage work.

Australian riders often train around busy schedules, long float journeys and hot conditions. Early-morning schooling may be more productive during summer, especially in Queensland or inland New South Wales. Allow the horse to cool down properly, replace fluids and avoid turning every session into a demanding fitness effort. Recovery is part of the training plan.

Improve Cross-Country Decision Making

The step up usually feels most obvious on cross-country. Combinations may require a precise line, a specific number of strides or a change of balance between elements. The horse must listen when the rider shortens the stride, then move forward decisively when the question opens up.

Walk courses several times and identify the intended line before warming up. Consider where the ground may be holding water, how a slope will affect the approach and whether the horse tends to drift towards a particular shoulder. At venues with sandy going, hard ground or rapidly changing weather, adjust the plan without losing the overall rhythm.

School individual questions in a controlled setting before joining them together. A small angled fence, a ditch, a bank or a water entry can be introduced separately, then linked once the horse understands each task. Training should create confidence through repetition, not rely on a single heroic attempt.

Reassess Fitness And Recovery

The increased pace and technicality place greater demands on the horse’s cardiovascular system and musculoskeletal strength. A sensible programme can include long, steady rides, hill work, interval conditioning and regular flatwork, with enough easy days to allow adaptation. Fitness should support careful jumping rather than encourage the horse to run faster than the rider can organise.

Monitor breathing, appetite, stiffness and willingness to work after each session. A horse that takes unusually long to recover, feels resistant under saddle or loses enthusiasm may need a veterinary assessment and a revised workload. Regular checks with a trusted veterinarian, physiotherapist and farrier are especially important before increasing the intensity of training.

Consider footing as part of conditioning. Wet paddocks, hard Australian summer ground and uneven local tracks can all influence injury risk. Keep a record of sessions and recovery, and make changes one at a time so it is clear what the horse is responding to.

Refine Tack And Rider Position

A more technical course places a premium on a stable lower leg, an independent hand and a secure upper body. The rider should be able to stay balanced over a fence, land without collapsing forward and regain the correct canter quickly. Practise two-point position, transitions in and out of the gallop, and maintaining a soft contact while the horse lengthens.

Tack should support communication without becoming a substitute for training. Bit choice, noseband fit, saddle balance and protective boots deserve a careful review before moving up. Riders comparing options can use this practical guide to choose the right bit while considering the horse’s mouth, way of going and competition rules.

Check the current EA rules and the event’s specific conditions before competing. Equipment accepted at home may have restrictions in dressage or cross-country, and safety gear must comply with the applicable standards. A correctly fitted, approved helmet and body protector should be treated as essential equipment rather than last-minute purchases.

Prepare For Australian Competition Conditions

Travel and logistics can shape performance as much as schooling. A trip from a property outside Melbourne to an event near Canberra, or from Brisbane to the northern New South Wales circuit, may require careful planning for fuel, water, rest stops and arrival times. The horse should be comfortable loading, standing on the float and settling in an unfamiliar stable or campsite.

Heat management is a daily consideration. Carry more water than seems necessary, provide shade where possible and learn the signs of heat stress. Avoid tying a horse in direct sun for long periods, and plan walking, washing and feeding around the warmest part of the day. Everyday habits such as packing electrolyte supplies, sunscreen and spare buckets can prevent avoidable problems.

Biosecurity also matters when crossing state borders or attending busy venues. Check current movement requirements, property identification obligations and any event-specific declarations under the relevant state biosecurity system. Do not travel a horse showing fever, nasal discharge or unexplained illness, and clean shared equipment after returning home.

Choose A Sensible First Start

The first start at the new level should be treated as an information-gathering exercise. Select a venue with suitable terrain, straightforward travel and a course that matches the horse’s current education. A well-run event with helpful warm-up areas may be a better choice than a prestigious competition that adds unnecessary pressure.

Set practical goals for each phase. In dressage, aim for a calm, accurate test. In show jumping, prioritise rhythm and a balanced round. Across country, focus on the chosen line, appropriate pace and a confident partnership. Finishing with a horse that feels positive is more valuable than chasing a particular placing.

Afterwards, review the round while details are fresh. Note where the horse lost balance, where the rider became late or tense, and which questions felt easy. Video, coach feedback and a simple training diary can turn one competition into a clear plan for the next month.

Dom and Jimmie Schramm’s eventing journey offers an example of how thoughtful preparation, horsemanship and steady development support progress through the levels. Follow Schramm Equestrian for practical eventing stories, training insight and a closer look at the work behind a confident competition partnership.