Moving up from BE90 to BE100

Are you considering the move from BE90 to BE100? Sarah Ettridge, BE coach, shares her expertise.

BE100 is the first level you’ll need to qualify to ride at, gaining two cross country clears as a combination, with no more than 12 show-jumping penalties.

BE100 courses are designed to be educational and encouraging but they must offer enough of a challenge to prepare competitors for the upper levels to come. Expect more complex combinations that require greater adjustments, such as full ditch-rail combinations. If you can, pick an event you know well for your move-up.

If you can, pick an event you know well for your move-up as this means you can step up over familiar fences.

At BE100 as the fences can be on shorter distances with more curved lines, so you’ll need to do lots of training over these types of exercises so you know you can stay on your line.

Speed becomes a factor in chasing a placing so use your BE90 runs wisely, getting to grips with minute markers and riding to time. You’ll run at an average speed of 475mpm at BE100 level so schedule in some extra training to ensure you know how and where to safely make up time on course.

BE90 to BE100: what you can expect

Dressage

Increase in technicality, with shallow loops and 15m circles featured in tests.
Movements come up faster so more preparation is needed.

Show jumping

There will be 8-12 numbered obstacles.
Maximum height increases to 1.05m.
You can expect to see two doubles on course.
It is recommended that the first three fences are lower than 1.00m to allow horses to gain confidence

Cross country