With only a matter of weeks to go until the start of the 2024 season, British Eventing is pleased to announce the new dates and venues for the 2024 HorseQuest Novice Masters series including an additional venue to this year’s series, taking the total to six.

We are also pleased to confirm that HorseQuest are continuing their sponsorship for another year.

HorseQuest commented: “The Novice Masters is such a great series for members riding consistently at this level, who want a new goal to aim for this season. We’re delighted to once again be supporting the series and look forward to following your results.”

“We’re delighted that HorseQuest are continuing their sponsorship of this exciting series, and hope that lots of riders take advantage of the benefits on offer, including some fabulous prizes,” says British Eventing CEO Rosie Williams, OBE. “The Novice Masters offers riders competing at novice level that international feel, which is not only great fun but good experience for both horse and rider.”

The Novice Masters provides a unique opportunity for members competing at national level, including riding a bespoke dressage test, performing in a 20m x 60m international arena in front of two dressage judges and being able to perform in a tail coat to add that special feel to the class.

This brings an achievable new goal, with consistent performance being rewarded. Combinations will qualify for the series by achieving two double-clears at Novice, therefore bringing together many riders competing at this level.

Abi Scott and her gelding Red Rendezvous, were last year’s HorseQuest Novice Masters winners at Little Downham, finishing on their dressage score of 29.9 in their first year of BE together.

“For our first BE win to be in the Novice Masters, was simply a dream come true!” said Abi. “Going through the finish line in tears, knowing I had won the Novice Masters, really encapsulated the ups and downs of the journey I had been on with Ronnie. The Novice Masters Series is the pinnacle of competition at Novice level and it’s fantastic to have a championship class restricted only to amateurs. To have even qualified to take part in this class was absolutely amazing, let alone being crowned the champion, finishing on a sub 30 score!”

This year’s HorseQuest Novice Masters 2024 dates and venues:

Cirencester Park (2), Gloucestershire – 28^th April 2024

Belsay International, Northumberland – 31st May 2024

Farley Hall, Berkshire – 22^nd June 2024

Little Downham (2), Cambs – 3^rd August 2024

Allerton Park, North Yorkshire – 21^st September 2024

South Of England (2), Sussex – 21^st September 2024

Fabulous prizes on offer include:

1^st: HorseQuest Rug, Numnah, HorseQuest riding socks and a £50 HorseQuest voucher
2^nd: HorseQuest Numnah, riding socks and a £30 HorseQuest voucher
3^rd: 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

British Eventing would like to thank HorseQuest, title sponsors of the Novice Master Series. 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