This is a tough subject. I too have a 6 year old in his second year, however, he is struggling. He went to his first novice of the season this past weekend and it was a little easier, but still had to fight to get 2/4 wins. I think that coaches/parents need to be responsible for not letting second year kids go to these if they are successful at opens and that doesn't mean they have to win them ALL to not qualify for novice that means if they are placing don't let them in. I know for a fact some people use the excuse that their kids are 2nd year and that is all they take in to consideration. That isn't fair to the 2nd year kids that are still struggling.

If my son was having more success and more wins in opens and still not placing then I certainly would hold him out of novice, but that just isn't the case. That said we do not put a lot of emphasis on winning just that he has fun and does his best.