Maybee riders should develope their own qualifying rule ?

[freestyle2music]

Going through some recent results of big competitions in the USA i noticed that many BIG-NAME riders are starting their horses at training level.

I never saw this in Europe, and I even think that this is not allowed over here. Riders who have reached the FEI-level train their second, third, younger etc horses at home untill they are ready to start Z-level (Third Level in the USA).

Theo

[slc2]

In the USA people show horses for many reasons - so the owner can show the horse at their level, so the horse can be sold, or so a nervous one can get a long time getting used to showing. But it is a very long tradition here among a lot of people, to show at all the levels up the ladder. Not everyone does it. Many still don't show the horse til 3rd level, or PSG level, if it is intended for the top levels.

[freestyle2music]

In the USA people show horses for many reasons - so the owner can show the horse at their level, so the horse can be sold, or so a nervous one can get a long time getting used to showing. But it is a very long tradition here among a lot of people, to show at all the levels up the ladder. Not everyone does it. Many still don't show the horse til 3rd level, or PSG level, if it is intended for the top levels.

Sure there must be a reason, and thanks for explaining, however I don't think it will motivate the upcoming riders when they are beaten over and over again by the top-riders with their young/second/third horses. And it also comes to my mind that the lower level judges may have difficulties to score these topriders the same they are going to score these lowerlevel riders.

Theo

[AZ TD]

The US also has amateur divisions, probably to compensate for the pro's riding their younger horses in shows at the lower levels.
Theresa

[STF]

That is why you have Open, AA and Youth.
Its been that way for as long as I can remember. I dont see a problem with some BNT showing a young horse up the levels starting at Training.
For me its about my own score I get, not about the ribbbon. Im not riding against anyone else, only myself and my scores.

[AZ TD]

Most of the trainers riding horses for their owners are very much into collecting winning ribbons.
Theresa

[slc2]

I don't see any reason for putting a lot of miles on a horse's legs. They have an odometer.

[see u at x]

I thought it was kind of cool last year when I showed my horse as a maiden horse and saw that I was going to be competing against JJ Tate. Personally, I didn't mind knowing that my scores wouldn't be nearly as high as hers would likely be! :lol: I didn't bother to get my ammy card because I knew I wouldn't be doing too many recognized shows so it didn't matter. Unfortunately, JJ must have scratched for that particular test, so I was kind of bummed. But I agree with what others have said...this is why we have different divisions. Not all of us have the time, money, talent, and/or suitable horse to show in the opens with the pros.

[canyonoak]

1. Just because it is a big-name rider does not necessarily mean it is a big-name horse:ie, there are VERY VERY few riders in the U.S who can afford to turn down the money to show any horse.

2. The chances that the horse is a long-term, take it through GP horse are remarkably remote, not to say slim,not to say--well, you get the idea.

3. If these riders/owners do not enter these classes, then most shows will have not enough show entries.

[freestyle2music]

1. Just because it is a big-name rider does not necessarily mean it is a big-name horse:ie, there are VERY VERY few riders in the U.S who can afford to turn down the money to show any horse.

2. The chances that the horse is a long-term, take it through GP horse are remarkably remote, not to say slim,not to say--well, you get the idea.

3. If these riders/owners do not enter these classes, then most shows will have not enough show entries.

But how does it happen that these "better" riders win all these training-level classes "way ahead of the #2 etc.." I don't see Anky, Coby, Marlies, Kirsten etccccccc... or even my own sister starting a horse at training-level. I really can't imagine that they get any satisfaction out of this. But heeeeeee I am only the music-maker.

Theo

[xQHDQ]

Isn't the whole point of the levels to encourage correct training?

I've heard many more people (on this board included) complain that trainers push horses too hard to show at the upper levels because they don't want to be seen in the lower level classes.

I don't care if a big name wins my training level class. I just care abour MY score.

[pluvinel]

Isn't the whole point of the levels to encourage correct training?

I thought the point of showing was winning. Correct training happens at home, then you go to the competition to strut your stuff....and to hopefully get rewarded with a placing.

The levels are there to provide the proper venue.....like in boxing...you don't pair a heavyweight boxer with a middleweight....you compete in your weight class.
You don't take a "starting" horse and compete it against a fully trained horse.

[freestyle2music]

I thought the point of showing was winning. Correct training happens at home, then you go to the competition to strut your stuff....and to hopefully get rewarded with a placing.
The levels are there to provide the proper venue.....like in boxing...you don't pair a heavyweight boxer with a middleweight....you compete in your weight class.
You don't take a "starting" horse and compete it against a fully trained horse.

Bullseye

[ridgeback]

I thought the point of showing was winning. Correct training happens at home, then you go to the competition to strut your stuff....and to hopefully get rewarded with a placing.

The levels are there to provide the proper venue.....like in boxing...you don't pair a heavyweight boxer with a middleweight....you compete in your weight class.
You don't take a "starting" horse and compete it against a fully trained horse.

Clearly the point of showing is as individual as the breed of horse you chose to ride.

[sm]

But how does it happen that these "better" riders win all these training-level classes "way ahead of the #2 etc.." .... I really can't imagine that they get any satisfaction out of this. But heeeeeee I am only the music-maker.

Theo

I've seen them show as low as second level, but not training. If I ever saw one at training I would think they are rehabbing a horse who's brain is totally fried, and want to build up the horse's confidence with an easy test and make the show experience an easy one. If you enter any OPEN class in the USA, you take your chances on which professionals will show up.

I do not think BNTs get any satisfaction out of winning here either. In some instances, having a barometer and watching how a BNT puts in the same test is an interesting learning experience. If my horse puts in a good test and gets the expected points then I am happy, it doesn't matter what the other guy does.