A letter to members from Paul Graham, BD's Sport Operations Manager.
Dear members,
1 December has come and gone and we’re now fully immersed in the new competition structure. First indications are that you’re finding your way around and working out where you need to be and venues have done a great job in returning results with Gold, Silver and Bronze sections. A quick study shows the sections being fairly even in numbers, with Bronze the largest at most shows.
We committed to you that we’d continue to monitor competition under the new structure and where there were issues which affected a number of members, we’d clarify points and make amendments if necessary.
We’ve identified five areas affecting larger groups of members that we’re currently looking at. Each area needs careful consideration so full clarification regarding these changes will not be published until early January. For us, it’s important to be transparent and make members aware of what we’re looking closely at and any possible solutions.
Freestyle qualification
We’ve committed to taking a flexible approach in the early months post launch where members may not be in the right sections. This raised an issue for those competing for qualification for the Freestyle to Music Regionals where the places pass down if combinations are already qualified and how members would know if places changed post competition. We want to help members as opposed to inhibit, therefore we’re currently looking at changing the mechanism for qualification for music to that similar to Area Festival qualification where a combination will need to achieve two qualifying scores, rather than a first or second placing.
Previously downgraded horses
Under the old system, downgraded horses had to compete in the Open section, allowing them to qualify for Area Festivals. In the new structure, many of these previously downgraded horses are now in the Gold section where there are currently no Area Festival classes. Some of these horses may not be working at a level to reach the required qualifications for Gold Regionals. This means that this group of horses and riders have no goal to work towards. We’re therefore looking at opening up the qualification for the Veteran Championships to combinations in the Gold section who do not achieve regional qualification. We’re also looking at creating a new goal for these horses and rider to work towards.
Older horses – moving down the levels
There are a number of older horses who’ve consistently competed at the higher levels over a number of years. Under the old system, these horses could drop down as far as Advanced Medium Open. However, in the new structure, if they competed at regional level, they are prohibited from competing in Medium/Advanced Medium Gold (depending on the level they competed at). To help these schoolmasters continue in the sport, we’re proposing that we remove the Regional stipulation from the Medium and Advanced Medium Gold section which means horses that have been to National/Winter Championships at PSG/Inter I would be ineligible for these sections.
Combinations – five regional percentages
Where a combination has exceeded the points limit for a level, they may remain in a section if they have not achieved the relevant regional percentage five times. For some combinations, it may take years to get these scores, clearly showing that they are in the correct section for their ability. To give these combinations a little protection, we’re considering revising the rule to say that the five regional percentages rule will only trigger when all of the percentages are achieved in last two qualifying seasons. So, if you don’t get the percentages in that time, you effectively start again.
New combinations and fast risers
We feel clarity is required for horses and riders not having achieved results together and their eligibility to compete in the silver section at lower levels; specifically for when horses and riders come together with independent experience or when a combination consciously skip a level. We’re looking at the following as a resolution;
• If both horse and rider have achieved points at PSG, the combination can only go down to Advanced Medium Silver.
• If the horse has points at Grand Prix and rider has points at Advanced Medium, the combination could do Medium Silver.
• If the rider has won points at PSG and the horse has points at Medium, the combination can go back to Elementary Silver.
Hopefully the above information will reassure members that we are listening and striving to ensure that all members have a goal to work toward. As I’ve said previously, there will be a bedding in period and we’re very prepared to make allowances for those who don’t quite get it right in the beginning. We want to work with members to get it right so do keep up the good work with your valuable feedback.
I wish you the best for 2016 – whatever goal you set for the season!
Kind regards,
Paul Graham
Sport Operations Manager