How Do I Know What Level to Put My Horse In?

[Twisted_Briar]

I've been wondering about this for a while. There's quite a few levels for competitions, and I'm simply wondering how you know which one you should be putting your horse into? Thanks

[BlackOak2]

I've been wondering about this for a while. There's quite a few levels for competitions, and I'm simply wondering how you know which one you should be putting your horse into? Thanks

For all horses, it often comes first to HGP. HGP (horse genetic potential) at or under about 45,000 points should be able to perform in a given discipline somewhere in level 1 to level 5.
HGP horses that are within 45k to 55k should be able to perform in levels 5 to 8 and those above should be able to perform in levels 5 and up.

There is overlap here. And it is purposeful. Because HGP isn't the end-all of what level a horse should be able to perform in.

Use the locals to help determine what your horse can do, the discipline. Locals can also help to determine what weight (moderate, thin, fat, etc) that your horse performs best in.
No matter what HGP your horse has, use level 10, locals. Go through all of those disciplines (even those that are outside of your horse's body score, i.e. heavy horses do better in log pull) and locate the one that it pulls best placements in.
If, for instance, your horse pulls last in every discipline, drop down the level to 8 and repeat. But... unless your horse's HGP is somewhere in the 25,000 to 31,000 range, that horse should still be able to give you some sort of 'other than last place' for some discipline.

With one exception.

Horses that just can't do competitions at all, in locals, probably won't ever perform in player hosted competitions. But... with enough breeding and careful culling, any horse can become a foundation for a great, successful, and much sought after line.

Does that help any?

Also, there are some helpful tips in the community reminders. Check out my quicklinks to find them.

[Twisted_Briar]

This helped so much, thank you!!! This definitely makes me understand the system a whole lot more. I'll for sure check out those links, too