The White River Novice Trophies

The trophies for the White River Novice Horse and Novice Rider were established in 1980 by the then owners of White River Stables, Nick and Linda Heiny. When Suzanne Artale purchased the farm in 1984, she took over the presentation and sponsorship of the award because we all start as novices in some aspect of equestrianism and we all have to work our way up. She still believes that, which is why she continues to sponsor the awards, even though White River Stables is no more.

The purpose of the award is to provide an opportunity for less experienced horses and/or riders to show without having to compete against more experienced riders and/or horses. That being said, there are several ways to proceed. The first thing you need to do is state your intention to try for this award. This is done by paying a $5 nomination fee and filling out the registration form and submitting both to the person responsible for tabulating the points. This fee helps with the tracking and administrative costs of the award. The workaround to that is, if at an IDS sponsored or approved show you earn the first score of 55% or better, you can nominate for that award within five days of that time, and that score will count. If you nominate after that score is earned, you will still have to earn 3 scores as stated in the requirements.

To be considered a Novice horse your horse can never have been shown above first level and cannot have received 3 scores of 55% or better in Training Level classes at an IDS sponsored or approved show. The owner and the rider must be IDS members. Scores are cumulative and do not need to be earned in 1 year. After you have received 3 scores of 55.00% or better you can ride in the ride offs in the year the last score is earned. You will ride the highest training level test.

A novice rider cannot have shown above First Level and cannot have earned 3 scores of 55.00% or better in Training Level classes at IDS sponsored or approves shows. The rider must be an IDS member. Once the 3 scores have been received, you can ride in the Ride-Offs the year the last score is earned.

Finally, a Novice Horse can be shown by any IDS member. A Novice Rider can show a Novice Horse or compete on any horse that has not been shown above Fourth Level. The three scores must be from three different judges from at least two different shows.

Now one reason I think the award is under-supported is that people think that scores for the Novice awards have to be earned in Novice classes. That is not the case. The reason for the concern is that scores in Novice classes do not count for High Point awards at Training Level. If you want to compete for High Point awards, then ride in the open, JR/YR or AA divisions. If you are registered for the Novice award(s), then your scores in those classes will still count for those awards and will earn High Points as well. The drawback is that you are competing against more experienced competitors.

Do you and your horse fit this description? Check out the details in the handbook and pay your nomination fee.