Moving Up: When, How and Why in eventing

Moving Up: When, How, and Why in Eventing

There’s a lot of talk in the eventing world about when a horse and rider are “ready” to move up a level. As a trainer, rider, and someone entrusted with the safety, development, and confidence of both humans and horses, I have a very clear philosophy: moving up is a serious decision, and it needs to be approached with respect, patience, and purpose.

I take pride in a conservative and careful approach. This isn’t just about ribbons—it’s about building long-term success, confidence, and trust. I hold the trust of my riders and often their parents, the trust of the horses, and I must maintain confidence in myself that the timing is right. When all those factors align, moving up feels seamless.

⸻

Why Move Up?

Here’s something not enough people talk about: moving up is not the only way to be successful.

Too often, riders feel like they have to move up. That staying at a lower level somehow means you’re not progressing. But let’s be honest—there’s a lot of ego involved in that mindset. And I see it all the time, especially at shows when I hear riders say, “I’m just showing at Beginner Novice” or “just Novice.”

It’s not “just.” It’s your horse’s challenge. It’s your current level. And it’s a worthy one.

Recently, I had two young adult riders on very capable horses—horses who were talented, but not necessarily made for the upper levels. These riders were hungry, ambitious, and ready to go. But instead of encouraging them to move up for the sake of progress, I gave them a challenge:

“Why move up and be dangerous, when you can stay at your level and dominate? Why not be the absolute best Novice pair you can be?”

They took that challenge seriously. And what happened? They had the seasons of their lives. They started winning. They learned to love the process. They became proud of mastering their level—and they gained confidence, not from the height of the jumps, but from how well they were riding.

That’s what matters.

Moving up should never be about proving something to others. It should only happen when the pair is prepared, confident, and ready to thrive—not just survive.

⸻

My Rule: 3 Clean Cross Country Runs Minimum

One of my hard-and-fast rules before moving up a level is that the horse and rider combination must complete three recognized events with clean, clear cross-country rounds at their current level. That’s the non-negotiable baseline. Why? Because consistency matters more than a one-off brilliant weekend.

But that’s just the start.

⸻

Other Guidelines I Follow:

• The pair should be placing well and finishing confidently—not just getting through, but owning it.

• They must be schooling the next level regularly and comfortably—jumps, technical questions, and fitness.

• They should be showing the next level in schooling or dressage environments to build familiarity without pressure.

• Fitness matters—for both horse and rider.

• Venue matters—not all courses are created equal. I look at whether the course suits the pair’s strengths.

Above all, the move-up should feel natural. It should look effortless. It should be easy.

⸻

The Golden Rule I Stand By:

“It’s better to train at the lower level for six months too long than to move up one day too early.”

And I mean that.

⸻

A Personal Example: Horacio

When I bought Horacio, I spent nearly a full season at Novice—even though we were both capable of more. But I didn’t want to just compete—I wanted to connect. I wanted time to learn who he was in the ring, and I wanted him to trust me.

Other trainers scoffed. Riders pressured me to move up faster. I didn’t budge.

When we did move up to Training, it felt easy. We qualified for AECs at our first outing and kept building from there. When Modified came around, it was a push—but a manageable one. We were ready.

⸻

What Success Really Looks Like

One of the things I’m most proud of is my students’ cross-country records. Eliminations are rare. Jump penalties are well below average. We don’t chase levels—we build them with care.

So whether you’re competing at Beginner Novice or knocking on the door of Prelim, remember:

Be so good at where you are that the next level isn’t a question—it’s the obvious next step.

Success in eventing isn’t about how fast you climb. It’s about how well you master the step you’re on.