Novice (racehorse)

In horse racing, particularly steeplechasing and hurdle racing, a "novice" refers to a horse that is in its first season of racing over fences or hurdles, respectively. This designation distinguishes the horse from more experienced competitors that have competed in multiple seasons of jumping races.

A novice horse can be of any age, provided it has not previously won a race under rules, in the specific discipline (either steeplechasing or hurdle racing) beyond a certain grade or level outlined in the racing regulations of the governing body. For example, a horse may have raced on the flat (without jumps) for several years, then transition to steeplechasing and be considered a novice in that jumping discipline.

Novice races are often designed to allow inexperienced horses to gain experience and develop their jumping skills in a less competitive environment than open races. They typically carry lower prize money than open races, reflecting the relative inexperience of the participating horses. The conditions of a novice race (e.g., weight carried, minimum rating requirements) are carefully structured to provide a fair and educational introduction to jumping for these horses.

Once a horse wins a race that disqualifies it from being considered a novice, it is no longer eligible to compete in novice races. The exact criteria for losing novice status vary depending on the specific racing jurisdiction and the conditions of individual races, but generally involve winning above a certain class or grade. A horse that was once a novice might continue to race successfully in open company against more experienced horses.