With the new season just around the corner, we’re delighted to announce the HorseQuest-sponsored Novice Master series dates and venues for 2025.
The HorseQuest Novice Masters is unique in that enables riders competing at national level to ride a bespoke dressage test in a 20m x 60m international arena in front of two dressage judges, and perform in a tail coat to add that special feel to the class.
The series offers riders an achievable competition goal, with consistent performances being rewarded. Combinations qualify for the series by achieving two double-clears at Novice, therefore bringing together many riders competing at this level.
Clemmie Kerridge and seven-year-old gelding Iluigi pulled off a stellar double clear to finish on their dressage score of 31.2 and be crowned HorseQuest Novice Master at Cirencester Park in April last year.
“This was my first Novice Master class with him and he jumped really well, particularly in the show jumping,” said Clemmie who has owned the gelding since January 2023. “It was the first time he’s really had to go for the time cross-country and I was pleased with how he coped.
“The Novice Masters feels like a separate class from the others, especially being able to do our dressage in the bigger arena and winning the additional prizes – it’s a great experience.”
This year’s HorseQuest Novice Masters 2025 dates and venues:
Cirencester Park (2), Gloucestershire – 27th April 2025
Belsay International, Northumberland – 1st June 2025
Farley Hall, Berkshire – 21st June 2025
Little Downham (3), Cambs – 3rd August 2025
Allerton Park, North Yorkshire – 21st September 2025
South Of England International, Sussex – 28th September 2025
Fabulous prizes on offer include:
HorseQuest are kindly providing prizes for 1st – 3rd places –
1st, HorseQuest Rug, Numnah, HorseQuest riding socks and a £50 HorseQuest voucher.
2nd, HorseQuest Numnah, riding socks and a £30 HorseQuest voucher
3rd, HorseQuest fleece gilet, riding socks and a £20 HorseQuest voucher
Who is eligible for the HorseQuest Novice Masters?
- Open to any grade of horse of five years of age or over, which stands at least 142cm in height
- Riders must be at least in the year of their 19th birthday
- Riders need to be a PAYG, Standard or Premier member and horses must possess a Season Ticket to enter Novice Masters classes
- Each horse and rider must be eligible to ride at Intermediate Novice level at the at the time of the competition
- Horses must be ridden by the rider who achieved the qualification with substitutions not being permitted
- Riders must not have completed at Advanced or 4* in the current & preceding 2 seasons
- Riders must not have completed at 5* in the current & preceding 5 seasons
How do you qualify for the HorseQuest Novice Masters?
Qualification can be gained in any Novice, CCI2*-S or CCI2*-L class* within the qualifying period (the previous season and up to ballot date of the event where a Novice Masters Class is scheduled and entered).
To qualify you will need to achieve either:**
- One finishing result in top 25 percent of Dressage starters in each section or class OR
- Two double clears, which did not fall in the top 25 percent of starters
*Excludes results from ONu18, PON, PT, CCIP* and CCI2* Reserved for Ponies.
** Each qualification is redeemed as a single class entry at a Novice Masters of your choice within the current season.
Are you qualified?
To check your qualification, please see the Qualification Checker here
The Novice Masters was developed in 2021 with the Rider Working Group representing riders at Novice level and above and in conjunction with the Eventing Riders Association of Great Britain (ERA of GB). Find more information on the HorseQuest Novice Masters by visiting www.britisheventing.com/novice-masters
To mark the continuation of the partnership between British Eventing and HorseQuest, and their milestone 25th anniversary, HorseQuest are kindly offering BE members an exclusive 25% discount until 25 March 2025 via the new British Eventing Member Rewards platform. Simply visit the BE Member Rewards Hub to redeem the discount.
For more information on how to place an advert with HorseQuest or to search the current listings of Horses, Ponies & Transport for sale please visit www.horsequest.co.uk
