To be eligible to drive as a National Novice in an official Qualifier class a driver must have successfully completed all three phases, in a minimum 3 section marathon event, at, at least, three affiliated club events. All MDTG events are affiliated club events.
If a driver wishes to enter for National Novice competitions he/she must first inform the event Secretary (in the caravan) that he/she wishes to attempt signing of the Competence Card. The competitor will then be watched throughout that event by the dressage judge and the Technical Delegate. If the competitor completes the event without elimination or disqualification the Judge and/or TD may sign the Card if they think the competitor is competent to drive at a National Novice Qualifier. Both Judge and TD must sign for that event to count as must the Secretary to confirm the entry and it’s result.
This procedure must be repeated three times within two years for the driver to qualify to enter a National Novice Qualifying event. Once three events have been signed up the driver must submit a photocopy of the Card to the BHDTA’s office for their ratification.
To enter a Qualifying events the driver must not have:-
A – Previously competed at a National Event unless this was in a Novice Qualifying
class. It is no longer possible to do that as all Qualifying events now (from 1/1/2007)
take place at club events.
B – Finished in the top 50% at the National Novice Championships.
C – Won two National Novice Qualifiers although he/she can retain their National
Novice status throughout the season in which this is achieved.
D – Qualified for the National Novice Championships in 2007 or previously.
Entrants into National Novice Qualifying events must be members of the BHDTA, but this could be at the one-off introductory rate.
A driver who qualifies for the National Novice Championships, but does not compete at the National Championships in the season in which he/she qualifies, will be eligible to enter National Novice Qualifier classes in subsequent years unless precluded under paragraphs A,B,C or D above.
A driver who has won his/her class twice at National Novice Qualifiers, whether in one year, or over a number of years, will cease to be eligible to compete as a National Novice driver at the end of the year in which his/her second win is achieved, whether they enter the National Championships, or not.
National Novice Qualifying events are run under National Rules. Other competitors at that event may be running under club rules. It is advised that competitors read the National Rule book before entering.
The Dressage Test for the Qualifying event will be BHDTA Novice 2008 in an 100 x 40 arena. Cones speed will be 220 metres per minute and the clearance will be 250mm over track width (1380mm).
If there are between 3 and 5 competitors in the class - the highest placed competitor qualifies after disregarding those who have already qualified.
If there are 1 or 2 in the class, the higher place qualifies, disregarding those who have already qualified, provided the driver’s dressage score is 65 or less.
In order to qualify a competitor must complete all phases without elimination, disqualification or retirement and finish with a total penalty score of less than double that of the winner of the class. If there are only two competitors in the class and one fails the various rules, as outlined above, the remaining competitor will not qualify.
| April | 19th & 20th | Thoresby Park, Newark, Nottinghamshire | MDTG |
| 26th & 27th | Dalmeny, Edinburgh | SCDA | |
| May | 10th & 11th | St. Fort, Newport on Tay | SCDA |
| 17th & 18th | Windsor Park, Berks. | WPEC | |
| 24th & 25th | Redenham Park, Andover | WHHC | |
| May/June | 31st & 1st | Escrick Park, N. Yorkshire | NEDTL |
| June | 14th & 15th | Offchurch Bury, Leamington Spa | MDTG |
| 21st & 22nd | Erddig, Wrexham | CHDTG | |
| August | 2nd & 3rd | Blandings Farm, Newmarket, Suffolk | EACDG |
| 16th & 17th | Borde Hill, Sussex | BHC | |
| 22nd - 24th | Necarne, Co. Fermanagh | NICDA |
When you arrive at the event you will be required to fill in a BHDTA form giving your horse/pony’s passport details and pass over a cheque/cash/Credit Card for the Start Fee. At Midland events you will also be required to be a member of the MDTG or of the BHDTA or have BHS Gold members. Your passport will be checked to see that your animal’s vaccination certificate is up-to-date.