10/19/2025
I’ve gotten a few questions recently about Terra Nova, and I’d love to explain what it is, and what all the fuss is actually about. In order to do so, though, you’ll need some context.
In the sport of 3 Day Eventing there are essentially 3 categories of competitions, and 8 levels of competition. The levels are:
Starter—fences under 2’5”, very basic.
Beginner Novice—fences 2’7”.
Novice—fences 2’11”
Training—fences 3’3”
Modified—fences 3’5”
Preliminary—fences 3’7”
Intermediate— fences 3’9”
Advanced—fences 3’11”
Modified - Advanced require qualification at prior levels to compete.
The categories of competing are:
Unrecognized/Local: Usually divisions Starter-Novice or Training, hosted to give horses and Riders experience at low cost, and minimal consequence.
USEA/USEF, Nationally Recognized: Larger events put on by bigger, more recognized venues who are required to adhere to national standards for competition—this means footing, ring sizes, jump specs, stabling hours, and safety regulations. In Area 4 (Midwestern region), usually offering Starter-Preliminary, a couple of venues offer Intermediate. A number on the coasts offer Advanced. Results go on the horse and rider’s recognized record.
FEI/Internationally Recognized: Competitions recognized by the international federation that is affiliated with world championships, the Olympics, and nations cup competitions. They have separate “star rated” levels of 1*-5*, that basically correlate to Modified-Advanced. If you’ve heard of the Kentucky 3 Day Event (Formerly Rolex), that’s a 5*. International records are heavily considered in forming National equestrian teams. They require very specific set of qualifications at the national level in order to participate even at the 1* level, in addition to a passporting process for the horses to enter.
Terra Nova is an eventing venue in South-Central Florida. They host two FEI events a year, one in the spring, and one in the fall. Sydney and I have been slowly and methodically chipping away at the journey to the upper levels. My original goal was to finish the season qualified and confident to run at the modified level, and not only did we manage that, much to my astonishment, it went so well at a tough, tough venue, her scores qualified her to run at the 1* FEI level.
For those new on scene, my last event horse, Tempi, qualified to run through the 2* and Intermediate levels, but didn’t remain confident to do so. To produce a horse through the FEI levels in any situation is an accomplishment, but to do so with a horse I’ve had since a 3 year old, against the personal chaos I’ve encountered the last 3 years is one of the things I’m most proud of in my life, and is something I’ve aspired to since my late teens.
I chose Terra Nova not only because it is an incredible venue, but because it just 2 hours from my coach, Sinead Halpin, in Ocala. In an effort to be as competitive as possible at an event such as this, it is my intention to ride/train with Sinead for the two weeks prior to competition as well.
To put it in perspective for cost, just the entry fees + stabling for the event is $855. This on top of the passporting process cost of $300, and training and travel. It is an incredible opportunity, manifested on a short timeline, hence the budgetary constraints.
I hope this paints a clear picture of the process, and of the goal at hand. It feels cheesy for me to say “Life long goal hanging in the balance”, but it is the truth to some extent.
