competition structure 2016
TRANSCRIPT
Your handy guide to understanding the new structure
Competition Structure 2016A new dawn for dressage in Britain
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Intro & ContentsIn the last decade, British Dressage and the sport we all love has changed dramatically; more people are taking part, standards are rising, it’s becoming increasingly professional and the participants are from a very diverse group. Around two years ago, it became clear that the competition structure needed to reflect this progression and we’d ‘outgrown’ the current structure. So the Rules Committee set about on an 18 month journey of reshaping, innovating and consulting to come up with a structure that is fair, representative of our members and offers opportunity for all.
It’s been an enlightening process and thanks to all who took the time to provide feedback and input. There may be some initial questions at the start but everyone at British Dressage is excited to bring you a modern structure for a modern sport.
This booklet isn’t the full rules; it’s designed to help you understand the new structure and to use in close conjunction with the full Members’ Handbook. Each page has a ‘rule check’ reference to help you look up points in full in the 2016 Members’ Handbook.
Please take time to understand the new structure – remember, we’re always at the end of the phone or an email to help. Good luck in your competition endeavours under the new system!
Paul GrahamSports Operations ManagerBritish Dressage0247 669 8830www.britishdressage.co.uk
ContentsPage Contents4 Principles and concept of the new competition structure4 Riders and horses – how are we affected?5 Competition and points7 Bronze section eligibility8 Silver section eligibility9 Gold section eligibility11 Championships - Regionals, Winters & Nationals12 Area Festivals14 Freestyle music classes14 Para-Dressage15 Downgrading horses15 Imported horses16 Case studies18 Frequently asked questions20 Find your fit – four questions to help you work out where you fit into the new structure
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Principles & ConceptRule
Check
There are now three sections: Bronze, Silver, Gold.
Bronze is for the genuine newcomers to a level and is protected, Silver is for those combinations that are establishing themselves at the level and becoming proficient, while Gold is essentially for everyone.
Bronze and Silver sections qualify for Area Festivals, while Silver and Gold qualify for Regional Championships (and, in turn, Winter and National Championships). There’s a few exceptions at the moment; there’s no Regional Championship for Prelim Gold and at Area Festivals, there’ll only be Bronze at Prelim and Silver sections for PSG and Inter I.
Horses are limited to which sections they’re eligible for by points won at each level and section – 0 – 50 Bronze, 0 – 100 Silver and any amount at Gold.
Riders in the Bronze sections are limited by points won at levels (which sets their rider group).
You don’t have to start in Bronze, or move up the levels going through all three sections, you can pick and choose whatever suits you and your horse – plus you can stay where you’re comfortable if you’re not scoring regional qualification percentages.
Team Quest and My Quest competitions will run Bronze sections from Intro to Elementary and riders must be eligible to compete to take part.
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Rider groups have been altered slightly:•
Group 1 Riders who have competed at a CDI (Small, Medium or Big tour) Group 2 Riders who have gained points at Inter II, Inter A or B, U25GP or Grand
Prix in national BD competitions and riders who have competed in the National or Winter Championships at PSG level or above in Gold sections (or previous Open sections)
Group 3 Riders who have gained points at PSG or Inter I level in national BD competitions (including FEI YR classes nationally or in a CDI) except as described above for Group 2
Group 4 Riders who have gained points at Advanced Medium level (including FEI Junior classes nationally or in a CDI)
Group 5 Riders who have gained points at Medium level (including FEI Pony classes nationally or in a CDI)
Group 6 Riders who have gained points at Elementary level Group 7 Riders who have gained points at Novice level Group 8 Riders who have gained points at Preliminary level or have not gained
any points
Riders & Horses
When rider groups are calculated, only results recorded in the current and preceding ten years will be taken into account.
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RuleCheck
Riders starting on a new horse, or one they’ve not ridden, before have a helping hand. As long as the rider is eligible, a combination can start in the Bronze section, even if the horse has exceeded the 50 points for that level but hasn’t got more than 15 points at the higher levels. They can stay there until they’ve achieved the regional percentage for that level five times before they have to move to Silver. Similarly, you can do the same in the Silver section (except Group 1 and 2 riders).
Riders under 14 have the same provision as above in Bronze but they never have to move to Gold from Silver unless they’re placed in the top ten in either the Silver or Gold section at a Winter/National Championships or the combination has been selected to represent Great Britain on a championship team. Riders under 14 will qualify for Regionals and Area Festivals in the same way as others.
Riders who also compete with British Eventing will be allocated points according to the level they’ve ridden at:
BE Level BD Group 15 points allocated at each level up to and including:
One point allocated at:
Advanced (3 & 4*) Group 4 Medium Advanced Medium
Intermediate (2*) Group 5 Elementary Medium
Imported horses will be given 15 points at each level according to age if proof of a competition record can’t be provided.
There won’t be downgrading of horses any longer as the new system generally allows new combinations to compete where they wish to be (subject to eligibility).
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Competition & PointsPoints will be awarded up to 80% and CDI points will now be awarded dating back to 2000 and going forward (see table on right).
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Prelim points will be awarded just like other classes under the old system – everyone will start on 1 December 2015 with a Prelim record of zero points.
Music and para classes will run alongside the straight classes as previously.
There won’t be training sections any longer, only the chance to ride classes Hors Concours (H/C). No points or prize money will be awarded and the scores cannot be used for qualification. You don’t need to be eligible for the class to enter H/C.
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National classes
CDIs (including PSG – GP
and CDI Y/J/P)
Points
60 – 61.99% 1 1
62 – 63.99% 2 2
64 – 65.99% 3 4
66 – 67.99% 4 6
68 – 69.99% 5 8
70 – 71.99% 6 10
72 – 73.99% 7 12
74 – 75.99% 8 14
76 – 77.99% 9 16
78 – 79.99 10 18
80% and above 11 20
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Level Rider Horse Maximum horse points
Intro Group 8 riders not to have won more than 15 points at Prelim level or above on any horse
Not to have won more than 15 points at Prelim level or above with any rider.
25 points at Prelim and no points at the levels above. However, eligible horse and rider combinations that have exceeded 25 points at Prelim but have not scored 66% or above five times (at Prelim) may remain eligible in Bronze until the five percentages are achieved (also see rule 35).
Horses or riders who have won points at Novice level or above are not eligible under any circumstances.
Prelim Group 7 and 8 riders not to have won more than 15 points at Novice level or above on any horse.
Not to have won more than 15 points at Novice level or above with any rider.
50 points at Prelim and/or 15 at Novice and above. However, eligible horse and rider combinations that have exceeded 50 points at Prelim but have not scored 66% or above five times (at Prelim) may remain eligible in Bronze until the five percentages are achieved (also see rule 35).
Horses or riders who have won points at Elementary level or above are not eligible under any circumstances.
Novice Group 6 to 8 riders not to have won more than 15 points at Elementary level or above on any horse
Not to have won more than 15 points at Elementary level or above with any rider.
50 points at Novice and/or 15 at Elementary and above. However, eligible horse and rider combinations that have exceeded 50 points at Novice but have not scored 66% or above five times (at Novice) may remain eligible in Bronze until the five percentages are achieved (also see rule 35).
Horses or riders who have won points at Medium level or above are not eligible under any circumstances.
Elementary Group 5 to 8 riders not to have won more than 15 points at Medium level or above on any horse.
Not to have won more than 15 points at Medium level or above with any rider.
50 points at Elementary and/or 15 at Medium and above. However, eligible horse and rider combinations that have exceeded 50 points at Elementary but have not scored 64% or above five times (at Elementary) may remain eligible in Bronze until the five percentages are achieved (also see rule 35).
Horses or riders who have won points at Advanced Medium or above are not eligible under any circumstances.
Medium Group 4 to 8 riders not to have won more than 15 points at Advanced Medium level or above on any horse.
Not to have won more than 15 points at Advanced Medium level or above with any rider.
50 points at Medium and/or 15 at Advanced Medium and above. However, eligible horse and rider combinations that have exceeded 50 points at Medium but have not scored 63% or above five times (at Medium) may remain eligible in Bronze until the five percentages are achieved (also see rule 35).
Horses or riders who have won points at PSG level or above are not eligible under any circumstances.
Advanced Medium
Group 3 to 8 riders not to have won more than 15 points at PSG level or above on any horse.
Not to have won more than 15 points at PSG level or above with any rider.
50 points at Advanced Medium and/or 15 at PSG and above. However, eligible horse and rider combinations that have exceeded 50 points at Advanced Medium but have not scored 63% or above five times (at Advanced Medium) may remain eligible in Bronze until the five percentages are achieved (also see rule 35).
Horses or riders who have won points at Inter I level or above are not eligible under any circumstances.
Bronze Section EligibilityRule
Check
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Please note, Bronze sections qualify for Area Festival competitions only.
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Level Horse and rider combination Maximum Horse Points Prelim - Rider not to have won more than 25 points at
Elementary level or above on any horse. - Group 1 and 2 riders are not eligible on any horse. - Combinations that have scored 66% or above at the National or Winter Preliminary Championships or competed at Novice level at those Championships are not eligible.
100 points at Prelim and/or 25 points at Novice and above. However, eligible horse and rider combinations that have exceeded the above points levels but have not scored 66% or above five times (at Prelim) may remain eligible in Silver until the five percentages are achieved (also see rule 35).
Novice - Horse and rider combination not to have competed in a Gold (or Open) section at a Regional Championship at Novice level or above. - Group 1 and 2 riders are not eligible on any horse. - Combinations that have been placed in the top 10 in the Silver (or Restricted) section at Novice or above at the Winter or National Championships are not eligible.
100 points at Novice and/or 25 at Elementary and above. However, eligible horse and rider combinations that have exceeded the above points levels but have not scored 67% or above five times (at Novice) may remain eligible in Silver until the five percentages are achieved (also see rule 35).
Elementary - Horse and rider combination not to have competed in a Gold (or Open) section at a Regional Championship at Elementary level or above. - Group 1 and 2 riders are not eligible on any horse. - Combinations that have been placed in the top 10 in the Silver (or Restricted) section at Elementary or above at the Winter or National Championships are not eligible.
100 points at Elementary and/or 25 at Medium and above. However, eligible horse and rider combinations that have exceeded the above points levels but have not scored 66% or above five times (at Elementary) may remain eligible in Silver until the five percentages are achieved (also see rule 35).
Medium - Horse and rider combination not to have competed in a Gold (or Open) section at a Regional Championship at Medium level or above. - Group 1 and 2 riders are not eligible on any horse. - Combinations that have been placed in the top 10 in the Silver (or Restricted) section at Medium or above at the Winter or National Championships are not eligible.
100 points at Medium and/or 25 at Advanced Medium and above. However, eligible horse and rider combinations that have exceeded the above points levels but have not scored 64% or above five times (at Medium) may remain eligible in Silver until the five percentages are achieved (also see rule 35).
Advanced Medium
- Horse and rider combination not to have competed in a Gold (or Open) section at a Regional Championship at Advanced Medium level or above. - Group 1 and 2 riders are not eligible on any horse. - Combinations that have been placed in the top 10 in the Silver (or Restricted) section at Advanced Medium or above at the Winter or National Championships are not eligible.
100 points at Advanced Medium and/or 25 at PSG and above. However, eligible horse and rider combinations that have the above points levels but have not scored 64% or above five times (at Advanced Medium) may remain eligible in Silver until the five percentages are achieved (also see rule 35).
PSG - Combinations that have obtained either of the following in the current or preceding year are not eligible; - Points at CDIs in Small, Medium or Big tour. - 65% or above at a national Inter II or Grand Prix (excluding U25 Grand Prix) - Combinations that have been placed in the top ten of the PSG or above at the Winter or National Championships are not eligible.
No limit (also see rule 35).
Inter I - Combinations that have obtained either of the following in the current or preceding year are not eligible; - Points at CDIs in Small, Medium or Big tour. - 65% or above at a national Inter II or Grand Prix (excluding U25 Grand Prix) - Combinations that have been placed in the top ten of the Inter I or above at the Winter or National Championships are not eligible.
No limit (also see rule 35).
Silver Section EligibilityRule
Check
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Please note, Silver sections qualify for both Area Festival competitions and Regional Championships.
Gold Section EligibilityLevel Horse and rider combination Maximum horse points
Prelim Horse and rider combination not to have competed in a Gold (or Open) section at a Regional Championship at Elementary level or above.
No limit.
Novice Horse and rider combination not to have competed in a Gold (or Open) section at a Regional Championship (excluding music) at Medium level or above.
No limit.
Elementary Horse and rider combination not to have competed in a Gold (or Open) section at a Regional Championship at Advanced Medium level or above.
No limit.
Medium Horse and rider combination not to have competed at PSG or above at either a Regional/National Championship (excluding music) or in a CDI.
No limit.
Advanced Medium Horse and rider combination not to have competed at Inter I or above at either a Regional/National Championship (excluding music) or in a CDI.
No limit.
Advanced No restriction. No limit. PSG Horse and rider combination not to have
competed at Grand Prix at either the National Championship or in a CDI following in the current or preceding year.
No limit.
Inter I Horse and rider combination not to have competed at Grand Prix at either the National Championship or in a CDI in the current or preceding year.
No limit.
Inter II No restriction. No limit. Inter A No restriction. No limit. Inter B No restriction. No limit. Grand Prix No restriction. No limit. Grand Prix U25 Riders aged 25 and under. No limit.
RuleCheck
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Please note, Gold sections qualify for Regional Championships only (excluding Prelim, as there is currently no championship at this level).
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RuleCheckChampionships
Regional Championship qualification will work in much the same way as the previous system (i.e. accumulating points in the relevant section based on the percentage achieved) but now with Silver and Gold sections acting as qualifiers.
At Prelim, there will be just a Silver section (for now, this may change in the future).
At PSG and Inter I, there are qualification options in the Silver and Gold sections. To qualify for a Regional at Silver you’ll need your six points from qualifying sections for a Silver Regional. Alternatively, you can earn direct qualification via Gold sections at Premier Leagues (and CDIs). If you don’t earn direct qualification at Premier Leagues, you can use any points won to count towards qualifying for a Silver Regional.
You can qualify a horse in the Bronze and Silver section at a level but only compete in one – you’ll have to choose. But if you qualify for two consecutive classes at the same level, that’s fine – so you can do Novice Silver and Elementary Silver. Combinations qualified in a Silver section may not compete at a higher level in a Gold section. So, if you qualify for Novice Silver and Elementary Gold, you’d have to go Novice Gold.
Combinations that qualify for three or more levels at Regionals may only compete at two levels – it’s their choice which two to select.
The qualifying percentage for Novice Silver has been raised to 66%.
Combinations that make it to the Winter or National Championships in Silver and go on to be placed in the top ten at Novice, Elementary, Medium or Advanced Medium in the Silver section will have to go to the Gold section at that level in all future competitions.
There’s a new opportunity for U21 riders to earn direct qualification for the National Championships if they represent Great Britain at their respective European Championships. Young riders who earn 70% or more in the individual test, earn direct qualification in the PSG. Juniors need 70% or over in their individual test to qualify for the Advanced Medium Gold. Pony riders who score 70% or more in their individual test will get direct qualification to the Medium Gold championships.
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RuleCheck Area Festivals
The Area Festival Championships at the 2016 Winter Championships will run under the 2015 (old) structure.
At Prelim level, there will be a Bronze section only. From Novice to Advanced Medium, there will be a Bronze and Silver section. At PSG and Inter I, there’s only a Silver section. We’re reviewing all our championships, so this may change in the future to have both sections right up the ladder.
The qualification now starts on 1 December 2015, which gives you more time to get your scores.
The qualification levels are unchanged:
You can qualify a horse in the Bronze and Silver section at a level but can only compete in one – you’ll have to choose which. But if you qualify for two consecutive levels in the same section, that’s fine – e.g. you can do Novice Silver and Elementary Silver.
You can only ride at Area Festivals in consecutive levels, so for example you couldn’t ride at Novice and Medium.
Once you’ve qualified for an Area Festival, that qualification remains even if you upgrade.
Combinations qualified in a Bronze section may not compete at a higher level in a Silver section. So if you qualify for Novice Bronze and Elementary Silver, you’d have to go Novice Silver.
Prelim riders who are trying for regional qualification (Silver section), but aren’t quite successful, can use their scores to ride in the Prelim Bronze section at an Area Festival, provided they are eligible. But if you do qualify for the Prelim Silver Regional, you can’t compete in a Prelim Bronze Area Festival.
Combinations who compete at a Regional Championship (excluding PSG freestyle) can’t ride at that level or below in Area Festivals in the same calendar year. So, if a horse and rider qualify for a Winter or Summer Regional at Novice and compete, they’ll have to ride Elementary or higher at any Area Festivals that year.
Under the new structure, if you qualify for both an Area Festival Championship and a Winter Championship at the same level, you can ride in them both. So, if you win your Area Festival at Novice Bronze in 2016 and win your Winter Regional in 2017 at Novice Silver, you can ride in both championships in 2017.
There’s not much change to how the Petplan Equine Area Festivals are run under the new structure but keep the following in mind:
Level Scores needed
Prelim (Bronze) Three affiliated scores at 62% and over
Novice (Bronze and Silver) & Elementary (Bronze and Silver)
Three affiliated scores at 62% and over
Medium (Bronze and Silver) & Advanced Medium (Bronze and Silver)
Two affiliated scores at 60% and over
PSG (Silver) & Inter I (Silver) Two affiliated scores at 60% and over
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RuleCheck
Under the new structure, qualification for the Area Festival Championships will now be on a proportional basis – as it is done for Regionals – not placings as previously. When you arrive at your Area Festival, there’ll be a poster telling you where you’ll need to finish to earn a championship spot.
If you make it to the Championship in Prelim Bronze and score 66% or higher in the final round, you can’t compete at that level at future Area Festivals. Similarly, in the Bronze sections at Novice and Elementary, if you score the relevant regional percentage in the final round, you’ll need to move up a section and/or level in future Area Festivals. For the Bronze sections at Medium and Advanced Medium, if you score the relevant regional percentage you’ll also have to move up a section and/or level at your next Area Festival.
Freestyle Music ClassesThere’s not much change to the music structure in that no points will be awarded and whatever you achieve in music classes won’t affect your straight competition – so if you compete at a freestyle music Regional, it doesn’t have an impact on your Area Festival eligibility. Combinations can only compete at two consecutive levels.
There won’t be Bronze music sections to start with as there’s no championship, but it’s being discussed and may be part of the structure in future.
Combinations eligible for Bronze and Silver sections at a level can ride at the same level in Silver music and one above.
Gold sections are open to all but you’ll be limited to the combination’s level and one above.
Combinations can only compete at two levels at Regionals.
The minimum qualification score at Novice Silver is now 68%.
If you qualify for the Music Championships, currently held at the Winters, you need to move up a level in any Area Festivals in future years.
If you’re placed in the top ten of Novice, Elementary and/or Medium Music Championships, you’ll have to move to the Gold section for future music classes at the same level. Your eligibility to ride in Silver sections for straight classes remains unaffected.
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Para-DressagePara competitions, classes and tests are all staying the same, but the sections will be renamed in line with the new structure. There’s some Para Championship changes for 2016 which are outside the new structure – visit the BD website or read the Members’ Handbook for more information.
Restricted classes will be Silver and Open will be Gold.
Tests 3, 10, 21, 31 and 41 will be Silver when held at regular shows, but will be Bronze at para intro shows.
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RuleCheckDowngrading Horses
There will be no downgrading of horses as the new structure means that when a horse’s points are spread across the level, generally they fit where they need to be with a new rider. The Gold section will allow them to compete right down the levels with a lower group rider.
Imported HorsesImported horses competing under the old structure (so those imported pre-1 December) will be positioned based on points they’ve won since competing with BD (see the case studies for more information) and have at least the minimum points per level (15), according to their age at importation. If you have a horse which has been assessed, the points allocated at the assessment will stay.
New horses imported from abroad will be allocated 15 points at each level in line with their age at the time they’re registered. If you can either provide proof that the horse was imported at an earlier age or a competition record from the horse’s original Federation, the points levels may be adjusted.
Age at import Points
4 year old 0 points
5 year old 15 Novice points
6 year old 15 Elementary points
7 year old 15 Medium points
8 year old 15 Advanced Medium points
9 year old 15 PSG points
To be clear, the horse will get 15 points at the age specific level and 15 at any levels below.
If you feel that the points process above doesn’t put your imported horse where you’re comfortable competing, you can have the horse’s level of training assessed, but it must be done between the time of registration and the first show entry.
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We’ve put together some case studies to help explain and help you understand the system.
Joanne and her horse Buster have been doing well at unaffiliated dressage and competed at last year’s Trailblazers Championships in Elementary. They’ve decided to take part in affiliated dressage as they feel they are now ready.
The combination will start in Prelim Bronze as unaffiliated results don’t count towards eligibility. The only factor that might change that is if Buster is a foreign horse and has been imported. If that’s the case, he’ll be awarded points depending on what age he arrived unless Joanne can prove it was before the age of five.
Chris has retired his first dressage horse Max after five seasons together at Medium and Elementary levels, gaining 242 points. Chris now has a youngster which he bought from Germany as a five-year-old.
Chris’s rider record looks like this: Prelim 0pts Novice 45pts Elementary 141pts Medium 56ptswhich makes him a Group 5 rider.
The new horse will be given 15 Prelim and 15 Novice points on registration as Chris has no proof of competition for it from Germany. So they can start their competition career at Prelim Gold. This is because Chris has more than 25 points at Elementary. When they’re ready for Novice/Elementary, they’ll go into the Silver section as Chris has previously won 56pts at Medium level. At Medium, they can start at Bronze.
Kelsey has had a successful time learning with her pony at Prelim and Novice level, competing at Restricted level in Area Festivals as well as all Pony Club activities. She wants to move on to a horse and concentrate on dressage full-time. Her parents have bought her a 12-year-old horse on her trainer’s advice from Holland, but have no proof of its competition history.
Kelsey’s rider record looks like this: Prelim 0pts Novice 21pts which makes her a Group 7 rider.
Kelsey has more than 15 points at Novice, which rules her out of Prelim Bronze. However, it’s the horse’s allocation of points which is going to be the biggest factor. Being a horse imported at the age of 12, he will receive 15 points at each level up to and including PSG.
The duo will have to start at Prelim Gold. However, due to the new schoolmaster rule (rule 35, pg 30 of Members’ Handbook), they will be able to ride in the Silver section from Novice and above until they achieve five percentages at the relevant level. Her other option is to have the horse assessed to potentially remove some points.
First timer Georgie imported Bertie three years ago as a five-year-old and they’ve been doing BD together ever since with reasonable success. Bertie was allocated 45 points and they’ve won points since with a total of 97, mainly at Elementary – they only had 12 points at Novice.
Georgies’s rider record looks like this: Prelim 0pts Novice 12ptsElementary 52pts which makes her a Group 6 rider.
Bertie’s ‘new’ record looks like:Prelim 15pts Novice 15pts Elementary 52pts
Bertie will be allocated 15 points at Prelim and three points at Novice to bring him up to 15 at that level in line with his import age and he’ll keep all the Elementary points earned.
So effectively, he’ll lose 15 points off his total under the new system.
Case Studies
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Annabel and her horse of a lifetime Sox reached PSG together and last year went to the Winters in the Advanced Medium Open. Sox is now 18 and ready to take it a bit easier.
Sox will be able to go back to Advanced Medium Gold with Annabel, but no lower as they’ve competed at a Regional together.
John has ridden British-bred Callie for six years and they’ve got to Advanced Medium together – amassing 83 points. John has decided that Callie has reached her limit and is going to pass her on to his 12-year-old niece Sian to make her debut with BD.
As Sian is under 14, she can ride in the Bronze section at any level on Callie until they achieve the regional score five times when she’ll have to move on to Silver. She can stay in Silver at any level while she’s under 14 (until the end of the year of her 13th birthday), unless she posts a top ten placing with Callie in the Silver or Gold section at the National/Winter Championship. Once Sian is in the year of her 14th birthday, things change and she’ll have to go through the normal system.
Q: How will the existing structure merge into the new one?
A: As you will have qualified for Winter Regionals, Area Festival Championship and Winter Championship under the current rules, the 2016 Winter Championship at Hartpury will run under the current rules. You’ll only be fully integrated into the new system as of the summer qualifiers and Summer Regionals 2016.
Q: The Silver section will be large and very competitive - some riders who I would previously not have ridden against will now be in my section. How is this fair?
A: It’s true. Silver will be bigger and more competitive. However, several factors ensure that you’ll be competing against those representative of the grade. Some current Restricted riders who don’t want to aim at Regionals can drop down to the protection of Bronze. Those who have regional qualification at heart will go in Silver. Those who excel in Silver will quickly move to Gold, through the addition of points for scores over 70%, leaving newer combinations to compete alongside comparable horses and riders. A combination scoring an average of 64% will reach the 50 points to take them from Silver to Gold in 15 outings, scoring 68% will be ten times and 70% scores will move them up in just seven competitions, so the high scorers will not stay in Silver for long.
Q: There’s not much for Prelim riders to aim for – why register?
A: It’s the same under the current system, with just one section for Area Festivals and Regionals, so there’s no change in that way. But the new rules mean that you have more opportunity in a way. If you aim for Prelim Bronze Area Festival in one year and qualify for the Championships, you can then aim for Prelim Silver Winter Regionals and onto the Championships next spring. As they’re in a different calendar year, you can qualify for and compete at both finals. Under the old system, you’d lose your Area Festival qualification.
Q: My horse is older and stiffer – time to take it a bit easier; how far can we drop down?
A: The one thing that affects what you can do is whether or not you’ve competed as a combination in a Gold (Open) Regional. If you have, the most you can ever drop down is one level. If you haven’t, you can go down as far as you feel comfortable and in the sections/levels that your points allow.
Q: I’ve got five Regional scores at Silver but I’m not over the 100 points, do I have to move up to Gold?
A: No. The five Regional scores are put in as a buffer for those who are established and comfortable at a level and go out regularly and notch up a few points here and there but aren’t confident enough to go
FAQs
up a level. If they aren’t scoring regularly at the regional percentage, they can remain. If you get those scores, you don’t have to move up until you’ve reached the points threshold.
Q: Why is there no Bronze music? Will the Silver and Gold music not be of a higher level than the current music sections?
A: As music currently runs parallel to Winter Regionals, this will remain the same in the new structure and, as such, have a Silver and Gold section (equivalent to the current Restricted and Open Regionals). If you’re an Elementary Bronze combination, for your regular everyday competitions you would enter a Silver music section as there’s no Bronze. Music qualifications or results obtained would not affect your eligibility in normal classes and sections.
Q: Will experienced combinations now be able to ride in any Gold sections at any level?
A: Group 1 (and 2) riders, regardless of the horse they are competing on, will only be eligible for Gold sections; however, this does not mean they will be able to ride at any level of their choice with their more experienced horses. Competing at a Winter or National Championship will restrict them to that level and one below on that horse. It’s only fair that Group 1 or 2 riders can bring a young or inexperienced horse to Prelim, albeit in the Gold section.
Q: As an amateur, do I stand a chance of making it to Regionals/Nationals under the new system?
A: It’s the structure that’s changing – the tests we use, the scales of training, the judging criteria aren’t. If you’re achieving the scores to qualify now, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t under the new system
Q: How will I know the points breakdown for me and my horse in the new system?
A: In November 2015, we’ll be emailing every member with their points breakdown and any horses they ride to help you. Once we’re up and running on 1 December, the website will show your points breakdown for you in-line with your results.
Q: What if the new system just doesn’t suit me?
A: If you feel that you can’t compete where you want to, contact the office and we’ll happily discuss your situation and look at the options open to you.
Q: I’ve not competed for a number of years and have a new young horse, will I be penalised for my previous success?
A: If you’re a Group 1 or 2 rider, you’ll always need to go in the Gold section at every level, but you do have the luxury of being able to go down to Prelim, which wasn’t the case previously. The Bronze sections carry criteria on the rider’s group, so that may affect where you can start. There’s also a proviso at Prelim Silver that riders must not have won more than 25 points at Elementary.
Q: I just can’t work out where I fit – how do I get help?
A: You can ring or email the BD office and we’ll happily help you through the process. Or if you’re a forum user, you can post on there for a response – but this might not be instant. Don’t agonise over it – we’ll help you to understand and get you out competing where you need to be. - 19 -
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Find Your Fit exampleJennifer has been a member of British Dressage for ten years and has enjoyed success with her previous horse, Seychelles Socks, who retired last year. Jennifer has recently purchased and is ready to compete her British-bred 11-year-old mare, Florence, who gained points with her previous owner. But where does she fit in the new structure?
Rider Horse
Inter I
PSG
Medium
Advanced Medium
Elementary
Novice
Prelim
Which rider group am I? See page 4 ____________________________
0 – 50 – Bronzeor no more than 15 points at the
level above (or higher)
Where does that put us?
•
•You need to start at the higher levels and work down to find your starting point using your horse’s points at each level to determine which section you’re in.
0
0
70
2
35
17
0
0
0
40
0
107
34
0
Group 4
0 – 100 – Silveror no more than 25 points at the
level above (or higher)
any number – Gold
Section
Inter I
PSG
Medium
Advanced Medium
Elementary
Novice
Prelim
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Gold
Gold
Are we getting regional scores?
•
Remember if, as a combination, you haven’t scored at or above the required regional percentage at your chosen level five times, you can stay at that level even if the points levels are exceeded. But, please note, at all Bronze levels and Prelim Silver, there are other eligibility criteria. See pages 25 – 31 in the rule book for more; this is a great help for new combinations!
Which championship am I aiming for?•
Area Festivals – Bronze and Silver sections (Bronze only at Area Festival).
Regionals (and on to Winter and/or National Championships) – Silver and Gold sections. Please note, there is no Regional at Prelim Gold presently.
What is my rider and horse points breakdown?•
Find Your FitThese simple questions give you a good start on where you fit in the new system – answer them all and you’re good to go!
What is my rider and horse points breakdown?
The table on page 4 will help you find out which rider group you sit in based on the level you’ve won points at. You’ll then need a break down of your points won at each level. If you’re new to BD, you’ll start with zero. Those who’ve been a member before can ask the office or view under your account on the website.
Rider Horse
Inter I
PSG
Medium
Advanced Medium
Elementary
Novice
Prelim
Which rider group am I? See page 4 ____________________________
0 – 50 – Bronzeor no more than 15 points at the
level above (or higher)
Where does that put us?
•
•You need to start at the higher levels and work down to find your starting point using your horse’s points at each level to determine which section you’re in.
0 – 100 – Silveror no more than 25 points at the
level above (or higher)
any number – Gold
Section
Inter I
PSG
Medium
Advanced Medium
Elementary
Novice
Prelim
Are we getting regional scores?
•
Remember if, as a combination, you haven’t scored at or above the required regional percentage at your chosen level five times, you can stay at that level even if the points levels are exceeded. But, please note, at all Bronze levels and Prelim Silver, there are other eligibility criteria. See pages 25 – 31 in the rule book for more; this is a great help for new combinations!
Which championship am I aiming for?•
_____________________________________________________________________________
•
- 21 -
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