Equine & Horse Advice: How do young Horses get to USET Levels so quickly?

Discussion on How do young Horses get to USET Levels so quickly?

Use the navigation bar above to access articles and more discussions on this topic.

Author

Message

Susan Jeys
Member
Username: Sjeys

Post Number: 85
Registered: 1-2005

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 - 10:13 am:

I came from the hunters and did some eventing and now want to do the jumpers. I am currently training on my own (like 95% flatwork) and have shown in the 2'9-3'0 jumpers a couple of times going clean. I have a HUGE horse and we ride it like an eq. round because there's no way we are going to win against those little fast horses, but I ride it to ride it well as opposed to fast.

Anyway, I read the USET rule guide and was curious as to some of the rules of upper level jumping. I noticed it said that for Level X (4 or 5 I think) that you have to stay at that level for X years and win X amount of money before moving on to the next level. Your horse also has to be at least 4 or 5 before attempting these levels. I'm wondering how these grand prix horses get to USET Levels 7-8 at age 7 or 8. If you do the math it doesn't add up. If you are competing at international competition are you exempt from having to move through the levels and stay X number of years at each level? Or do they start the horses jumping really young and just move them up to 4', 4'6 and then 5' in a couple of years? Just curious. When I look at the rules for me and my horse, he will be 18 before getting through all the levels (if he can). Thanks!