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EVENTING POINTS SERIES
BACKGROUND, STRUCTURE, AIMS & OBJECTIVES
Discussion Paper to: Competitors/Areas/OC’s/Eventing Community
The Strategic Objective of Eventing’s Board is to double the number of Starts in Horse Trials by the year 2020. The introduction of Rider point’s series should help with the achievement of this objective. These series will help with promotion of the Sport, providing good opportunities for both Sponsors & the Media to be involved in Eventing by giving them season-long series which will build in interest over time.
The Performance Committee of Eventing believes that the introduction of a Points Series to Eventing in NZ will be a key part of the sport going forward. The introduction of these series will help to give riders increase recognition by enabling them to continue to compete within their own levels in the sport, whilst also allowing them to compete directly with their peers, regardless of the ability & experience of their mount(s).
The series are broken in to four different sections. Each section has its own criteria with points being scored on a horse & rider COMBINATION basis. The series will be based on the sliding scale points system (see appendix) with special variations for individual Events relevant to that particular level. All series competitors will need to achieve the equivalent of an FEI qualifying score to receive any points & points will be awarded to all those riders who achieve that qualifying score and then points are scored on the same basis as prizes are awarded ( 1 to 5 ratio for national classes & 1 to 4 for FEI classes). Individual Events are free to run classes at any level that are specific to the series -eligible riders, or points may be gained in the standard classes that are applicable to each series at each Event. Open Novice classes will NOT be eligible to be part of any series.
SUPER LEAGUE- this is the cream of the crop. It is a series where the highest class at each Event is eligible to be part of the series, from Open Intermediate level upwards, provided the first prize offered is at least $500. This is to encourage individual Events to boost prizemoney for our top horses. A feature of the series is that provided a horse & rider are available for NZ selection & compete in at least one NZ Super League class in that season, the combination will be able to gain points at FEI Events (2star & above) in Australia & will also be able to gain points should they compete at a Championship Event (ie.WEG or Olympics).
AMATEUR- these classes have been so named to show the relationship these classes have to their showjumping equivalents. The criteria for eligibility are;
Competitors may take part in this Series from the first day of the season during which they reach the age of 22, the season being from 1 August until 31 July; hence Competitors may not take part in the Young Rider Series at the same time.
Competitors may not have gained advanced points ever or gained points in an Intermediate class in the last 5 years. These have been set to keep these classes aimed at the true lower-level person & we are comfortable at present that these restrictions will meet the initial aims of this series. The Series encompasses Novice & Pre-Novice grades.
YOUNG RIDER- this is open to Competitors will be eligible to take part in this Series from the beginning of the season when they reach the age of 14 until the end of the season during which they reach the age of 21, the season being from 1 August until 31 July. This series is over the grades Novice & above. It is designed to give these riders recognition as they work their way up the sport. It is hoped that progression will be encouraged whilst at the same time riders will not have to push their own or their horses experience or capabilities in order to be part of the series.
JUNIOR- Competitors will be eligible to take part in this Series from the beginning of the season during which they reach the age of 12 until the end of the season during which they reach the age of 18, the season being from 1 August until 31 July.. This series encompasses the grades Pre-Novice & above. The objective of this series is similar to the YR series. For these riders, recognition and comparison with their peers is key to keeping them in the sport. A special feature of this series is the inclusion of Pony Club Champs as part of the circuit.
In order to enter for the series points, eligible riders must place the relevant abbreviation next to their class entry on each entry form to be included, eg; Class 3(AM), 3(YR), 5(J). The Secretary will send the eligible list of riders for each series to the National Office prior to the start of competition.
COMMENTS
The Performance Committee is aware that for the Young Rider Series, Junior and Amateur series there are likely to be a number of riders unable to be part of the series due to the grading of their horses. It is not the intention to exclude these combinations and in fact an aim of the series is for the development and inclusion of such combinations.
The Performance Committee has looked at several options and one realistic solution that has been provided would be to remove grading points altogether. This however is a subject that needs wider consideration of the issues and ramifications. It has been decided to run the Series as described for one season and review and make any changes necessary for the 2010 – 2011 Season.
The Performance Committee will however be asking that the Board of Eventing NZ undertake a formal review of the current grading and points system and consider its relevance in today’s competition environment.
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