Over the winter the Rules and Fixtures committee has embarked on a review of the competition rules focusing on particularly on participation and qualification.
The current BD Rules are structured around horses and riders having to move up out of a level once a rider group or a certain number of points are reached. With around 70% of the membership competing at Prelim to Elementary the committee have all agreed that BD is about participation for everyone and that members’ should feel encouraged competing at a level that is within their ability and comfort zone whilst providing the framework to progress.
Coupled with the above is the principle that you no longer have to win to qualify. Since the introduction of earning points to qualify the rules have remained the same so now having having had number of years to bed-in we are now in a position that we can review the impact on the rules.
At the Rules and Fixtures meeting on the 15th March it was decided that the following areas should be put out to members’ consultation. Please be advised that these are basic proposals for members to feedback and do not go in to great depth.
1 - ALLOWING RIDERS TO COMPETE AT TWO RESTRICTED LEVELS
At present members at all levels are restricted in what classes they can compete dictated by rider group and horses points. Once at the top end of points or in a higher rider group members have to ride in Training Sections or downgrade to remain at that level. In addition there is the buffer zone which will bump riders up a group once 14 points have ben achieved.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
To allow members to compete at two Restricted Levels. For example someone may ride at Restricted Novice and Restricted Elementary but would not become Novice Open by rider grouping until they had gained one point at Medium level. This means that we can remove the current buffer zone rule.
This would apply to qualification and members would be able to qualify and ride at two restricted levels at Area Festivals, Regionals and Championships. However, for all championships horse/rider combinations could only compete in two consecutive levels.
Pros– allows relatively inexperienced riders more time in the Restricted section whilst they progress their training.
Cons– by the same argument, some more experienced riders who limit their competing and thus number of points gained will be eligible for the lower Restricted level.
2 - MAKE OPEN SECTIONS TRULY OPEN
The above would only be possible if we were to implement changes for horses too. There must be a mechanism to protect restricted riders at each level and if a member chooses to remain at a level they should not be able to stay restricted forever.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Maintain the maximum horse points for each level however rather than putting a horse out of the level when it reaches the maximum limit, it moves into the Open Section. Once in the Open Section the horse can remain there for as long as the rider wants and can qualify year on year for the Open level at the Championships.
The Open Section would become be truly ‘Open’ therefore there would be no restriction on the number of points or the rider group of competitors at that level.
Pros - by implementing this we would no longer need to downgrade horses; horses and riders who have reached their “ceiling” can continue to compete, Gp 1 & 2A riders will be able to compete their young horses in Novice/Elementary.
Cons– opening Novice & Elementary to Gp 1 & 2A riders will limit championship opportunities for lower grouped riders.
3 - PENALTY FOR CONTRAVENING BOOTS RULE
Members pay out a lot of money to train and compete and through simple error can find themselves eliminated from a competition by not taking boots and bandages off prior to entering the arena.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Six Penalty points (from each judge) for entering the arena with boots or bandages.
Pros– does not eliminate a rider for a simple error yet maintains a penalty for deliberate use of boots/bandages.
Cons– potential welfare issue if boots/bandages used to disguise an injury
4 - 450 POINT CUT OFF FOR PSG
Currently horses with more than 450 points cannot compete in Area Festivals or Regional Championship which prevents school masters and older horses from having a career. It also prevents horses which have been competed at the higher levels but now need to compete at a lower level from participating.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Remove the 450 point cut off for PSG and allow any horse to qualify for PSG Championships.
Pros– allows more experienced horses to continue competing/act as schoolmasters
Cons– will allow active Big Tour horses to qualify for Championships.
5 - ON-ISLAND SPECIAL RULES
The current rules allow those living on the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Isle of Wight to qualify for regional championships on half the amount of points required from mainland members, due to limited access to competition and the expense of coming to the the main land. If members from the Islands do compete on the main land they can only use those “mainland points” towards the full qualification total.
Due to the ever increasing cost of travel by sea, when Island residents travel to the main land for camps/training activity, Area Festivals, Regionals they would like to be able to compete while they are on the main land without losing their on Island Status for qualification.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
To allow Island residents for a trial period of 12 moths to compete an unlimited amount of times and retain their Island status as long as they compete in at least 2 classes in the on their island of residence in that qualifying period.
Pros– gives Island residents more opportunities to qualify for championships; relatively few members would be affected.
Cons– gives Island residents who are able to travel to the mainland an advantage over mainland residents; no benefit for Island competitors who cannot easily travel.
6 - 2015 EXPANSION OF THE AREA FESTIVAL SERIES
Over the years the Area Festival series has increased in popularity with on average participation increasing by 8% each year. We also know that we are not catering for every level of rider and have a hole which we are currently referring to as the ‘middle ground rider’.
It is felt that the current Area Festival structure has reached its capacity but has the potential to embrace more members and provide more qualifying experiences.
The current thought lines are follows;
- The current Area Festivals as we know them would become ‘round one’ Area Festivals and we could increase the number of them to 25 in order to give the best geographical spread. It would be hoped that most members should have one within about 2 hours’ drive (extremities excluded).
- From there, combinations would qualify for one of 8 new round two competitions, loosely based on one per region. A larger number of riders would qualify from round 1 through to round 2 that currently go from Area Festivals to the Championships.
- From the round 2 ‘semi finals’ combinations would qualify for the Championships at Hartpury, again with a larger number going through, where they would ride a single test to be crowned Area Festival Champion at Each level.
- We would look to add an Inter 1 class to the Area Festival Schedule.
- Due to the need to fit in a second round the Area Festival first rounds would need to begin earlier in the year. It is suggested that the first rounds should be held from May to July finishing before Summer Regionals. The qualification period for these first rounds would also need to be adjusted.
This proposal also has complex ramifications on the current Winter and Area Festival Championships and needs an extended period of discussion before any decisions could be made.
YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY
As always BD are very interested to hear what the members have to say and often an idea that begins at committee level is developed via ideas that come from members.
Members and non-members are invited to share their thoughts with us on the above proposals, the feedback from which will be considered when the final new Rules are created in June.
Please email all feedback to Sports Operations Manager, Paul Graham by no later than Friday 7th June 2013.
The above topics will also be discussed at the Members meeting which will take around 6pm on Thursday 11th April at Hartpury College during the Winter Championships.