Dressage NZ Goes for Gold, Silver & Bronze Following Amateur Rider Classification Review
The proposal was widely accepted by delegates on a trial basis for the 21/22 season to be reviewed and any changes considered necessary made prior to implementing into the rule book for the 21/22 season.
Background
For the last two years (2020 & 2021) it was raised at the North Island Riders meeting that the Amateur classification system has not been working as intended. This was raised again at the 2021 Planning meeting and agreed that a subcommittee be established to review the current system and explore the possibility of a new system that will better meet the needs of our riders especially those new to our sport and those moving up a level for the first time.
Section Classification for Graded Classes
Each level of graded competition e.g., Preliminary, Novice etc. up to Advanced Medium is divided into three sections: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
The section which a member may enter is determined by the rider experience AND the combination experience at each level of competition, whether on a horse or pony.
Each level can run as one class with all riders being judged by the same judge. In this case at the end of the class the results of the class are divided into the different sections.
Alternatively, if the numbers allow sections may be run as separate classes at that level.
- Bronze sections are for less experienced combinations who have just started competing at a given level so that they can compete against those with a similar ability.
- Silver sections are designed for those combinations that show more ability at a level and have demonstrated that they are no longer beginner at that level.
- Gold sections are open to riders who do not qualify for Bronze or Silver
TOP TEN LEAGUES
Entry Conditions for Equizee Pony & Young Rider and South Canterbury Saddlery Top Ten Leagues will be aligned with the Gold Silver Bronze theme for the 21/22 year
Guidelines
- Applies to graded competitions only
- Does not include musical scores in determining section eligibility
- Section eligibility is as evening prior to start of event
- No restrictions on riding downgraded horses
- There is no expectation or requirement that an event uses this classification system, nor do they have to use all three sections if it is chosen to be used. For example, an event may choose to run a bronze section and all gold and silver are run as open.
- Sections do not have to be run as separate classes but can be run as one class with extra awards for silver and bronze riders.
- There is no expectation that Premier League shows provide separate championships for silver and bronze riders especially if the level is being run as one class.
- To check your horses and rider results history, go to ESNZ website or EvoEvents
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Eligibility at the evening prior to the event
Preliminary Gold: All riders that don’t meet the criteria of either Preliminary Bronze or Silver below
To compete Preliminary Bronze you MUST answer NO to BOTH statements
To compete Preliminary Silver you MUST answer NO to BOTH statements
Yes
No
Yes
No
As a rider on any horse competed at Medium level or above in the last four years
As a rider on any horse competed at Advanced Medium level or above in the last four years
As a combination have achieved more than 8 scores of 65% or above at any level (excluding Freestyle scores)
As a combination have achieved more than 8 scores of 68% or above at any level (excluding Freestyle scores)
Novice Gold All riders that don’t meet the criteria of either Novice Bronze or Silver below
To compete Novice Bronze you MUST answer NO to BOTH statements
To compete Novice Silver you MUST answer NO to BOTH statements
Yes
No
Yes
No
As a rider on any horse competed at Advanced Medium level or above in the last four years
As a rider on any horse competed at Advanced level or above in the last four years
As a combination have achieved more than 8 scores of 65% or above at any level Novice and above (excluding Freestyle scores)
As a combination have achieved more than 8 scores of 68% or above at any level Novice and above (excluding Freestyle scores)
Elementary Gold All riders that don’t meet the criteria of either Elementary Bronze or Silver below
To compete Elementary Bronze you MUST answer NO to BOTH statements
To compete Elementary Silver you MUST answer NO to BOTH statements
Yes
No
Yes
No
As a rider on any horse competed at Advanced level or above in the last four years
As a rider on any horse competed at Small Tour or above in the last four years
As a combination have achieved more than 8 scores of 63% or above at any level Elementary and above (excluding Freestyle scores)
As a combination have achieved more than 8 scores of 65% or above at any level Elementary and above (excluding Freestyle scores)
Medium Gold All riders that don’t meet the criteria of either Medium Bronze or Silver below
To compete Medium Bronze you MUST answer NO to BOTH statements
To compete Medium Silver you MUST answer NO to BOTH statements
Yes
No
Yes
No
As a rider on any horse competed at Small Tour or above in the last four years
As a rider on any horse competed at Medium Tour or above in the last four years
As a combination have achieved more than 8 scores of 63% or above at any level Medium and above (excluding Freestyle scores)
As a combination have achieved more than 8 scores of 65% or above at any level Medium and above (excluding Freestyle scores)
Advanced Medium Gold
All riders that don’t meet the criteria of either Advanced Medium Bronze or Silver below
To compete Advanced Medium Bronze you MUST answer NO to BOTH statements
To compete Advanced Medium Silver you MUST answer NO to BOTH statements
Yes
No
Yes
No
As a rider on any horse competed at Medium Tour or above in the last four years
As a rider on any horse competed at Big Tour in the last four years
As a combination have achieved more than 8 scores of 63% or above at any level Advanced medium and above (excluding Freestyle scores)
As a combination have achieved more than 8 scores of 65% or above at any level Advanced medium and above
(excluding Freestyle scores)