Ocala T3D qualifications ?

[LKF]

Does anyone know what the qualifications to ride in the recent Ocala T3D were? I'm a bit confused because it would appear that certain riders in that division should not have been.
Did anyone else notice?

[GreyDun]

http://www.ocalatrainingthreeday.com/technical_info

Horse and Rider (not necessarily as a pair), must have completed three Training level horse trials with not more than 20 cross country jumping penalties in the past 18 months.

[LKF]

Does that mean the 'rider' could have ridden at a 1* and higher in the same year?
Thanks for the help -

[GreyDun]

Oh hm... well, that I don't know. From what I've seen, if entries warrant, the organizers try to break it up into divisions (like Amateur, Junior, and Professional). There aren't too many upper level riders who participate, and if they did, then I probably wouldn't mind too much since the event's supposed to be very educational. If there was an upper-level rider competing, I'd probably be asking them questions all weekend (which studs are you using? what do you think about the course?), especially if they were stabled near me. :D

[tx3dayeventer]

I hope a rider that has done the upper levels can do a T3DE. I would love to do one in the near future and I have ridden at Advanced.

Does this mean I can't? I don't mind being in an "Open" division if one is offered but why should my horse be punished by not being allowed the opportunity to do a T3DE just because I have ridden at a much higher level on a different horse?

[LKF]

I think that is something organizers need to consider in the future. There needs to be an 'Open' division.:yes:

[FlightCheck]

There aren't enough riders in the T3DE right now to have divisions!

Ruthie Harbison rode a few in the T3DE, in addition to helping with the educational part.

[FLeckenAwesome]

i agree... i'd be asking questions ALL WEEKEND LONG!!!!
it is the same thing as an upper level rider riding at a regular horse trial on a younger horse. Right?!?!

and... honestly we NEED all the entries we can get! And what a better way to get the T3D back in the spotlight than having some really nice upper level riders doing it!!! how cool to come home and say that "i competed against so and so"! yeah, they kicked my butt, but...
how much cooler if you actually beat them!?!!!

[tx3dayeventer]

Heck, if and when I do the one here in Area V, I would be more than happy to help out in anyway I can when I am not horseback (like Ruthie does).

It is supposed to be a learning experience and if you are there to focus on winning and not learning, then to me it sounds like you shouldn't be there.

I wouldn't even mind riding HC, its about the experience not the ribbon.

[One Star]

Does that mean the 'rider' could have ridden at a 1* and higher in the same year?
Thanks for the help -

Yes it does, just as there were some professional riders who had competed previously at Advanced riding in the same CCI* division as amateur 20-somethings. And in the case of the T3D rider of whom you speak, we were grateful for her many contributions this past weekend.

I'll thank you to discontinue with your pot-stirring on this topic.

ETA, seriously Zeb, what's your beef here? We barely had enough entries to warrant running the T3D at all, let alone break it into Open and Amateur divisions. Have you ever actually been involved in the planning and execution of a large-scale horse trials? Maybe you'd like to come volunteer and see what we go through to put on a nice event for all the competitors before you raise an irrelevant point like this, suggesting we add more work and expense to an already cost-prohibitive venture.

[LKF]

It was just a question.
This forum was designed to ask questions, receive information and can be used as an educational tool.

By the by - I am not the only person who wondered about T3D qualifications.

[One Star]

I think that is something organizers need to consider in the future. There needs to be an 'Open' division.:yes:

This isn't asking a question to "receive information and use it as an educational tool." You are trying to make a point with this comment, which is directed specifically at "certain riders in that division [that] should not have been."

Maybe you'd like to suggest that Rolex break down the CCI**** into Open and Amateur divisions? Because heaven forbid that Julia Steinberg or Emilee Libby compete against Karen O'Connor...:confused:

[eventinglvr]

I'll admit, when I first saw that Ruthie was entered in the T3D I thought it was unfair. If you think about it though, a T3D isn't just about educating a rider, it's about educating the horse too. The horses Ruthie rode have never been in a *, so what a great way to get them confident and ready.

I would rather take full advantage of an upper level rider being in my presence at such an event than complaining about "how am I expected to beat them"....I'd probably be a pain for all the questions I'd ask! I wasn't there to say for sure, but I'm sure Ruthie was her normal gracious self and helped all she could to increase the educational experiences of all the other T3D riders.

[Piney Woods]

Good Grief! I thought it was great that someone with Ruthie's experience and at her level would want the experience of the T3D for herself and her horses. I would love to see more of the ULR's entering and supporting the T3D. Then maybe there would be so many entries there would need to be 2 divisions. Until then, let's be glad that there are enough entries to keep the organizers willing to offer this time, $$ and volunteer comsuming endeavor.

[Hilary]

We cannot whinge about ULRs not supporting the long format and then complain when they enter!

[eventingfan]

perhaps the fear that their entry will be perceived as "unfair" is exactly the reason more ULRs don't enter the training 3day.....

[eventinglvr]

We cannot whinge about ULRs not supporting the long format and then complain when they enter!

Exactly! If we're trying to save the long format we need ULRs stepping in and supporting it, no matter if it's a T3D or a * or **.

[foxhavenfarm]

Exactly! If we're trying to save the long format we need ULRs stepping in and supporting it, no matter if it's a T3D or a * or **.

Amen to that!!!:D

[tlw]

I'm sorry, but I have a hard time understanding why LKF is in a position to complain about Ruthie after reading the accomplishments stated on the LKF website. I'm just a simple amateur (you know, get to ride on week-ends, no real, consistent training, etc.) but someone who has ridden up to a 2*, trains and sells eventing thoroughbreds, yada yada yada shouldn't be complaining about a class that has both amateurs and professionals. I could be wrong but I don't think the horse Ruthie was riding has ridden many (if any) 1*s. Seems to me that a 1/2* is a good place to start. Frankly, I don't think Ruthie really cares about beating a bunch of amateur riders but would rather give her horse a good educational experience to gain some confidence and sense of purpose. After all, it really is all about the horse, isn't it?

[sfir]

but I do think the question of qualifications is a good one. I did inquire about this myself before I entered. I did want to make sure I was not over qualified and I did ponder whether people would perceive my entry in the T3D as unfair.
However, I am a long time supporter of the long format. I have been very lucky to have been able to compete when the long format was the only type of CCI offered. I absolutely KNOW the benefits it has given me as a horseman and my horses that I have produced up to the upper levels. This is why I continually encourage all of my students to enter the T3D and offer them a horse to ride in it if they do not have one because I think every single up and coming rider should be able to have the awesome experience of the long format. I also know that most horses greatly benefit from doing a long format in their training. The horse that I won the T3D on is a bit of a slow maturer. He is preparing to move up to prelim but I had been saying all year what he really needed was the 'growing' experience of a long format. He was by no means a shoe in to win it as he stopped at the liverpool at the event before Ocala. Winning a ribbon at the T3D is nice but by no means the reason I entered. I entered that T3D because I knew it was the experience that my horse really needed in order to take the next step and I also know this may be the only long format he ever gets to experience.
I spoke to several pros at the event that said they had some thoughts of putting their greenies in the T3D but did not because they were unsure of how it would be perceived. I think it would be nice if there were enough entries to warrant a 'horse' division and a 'rider' division but that just is not happening yet. However, if more pros are encouraged to ride their greenies in it and share their expertise with the other riders during the course of the event it would benefit everyone and our sport overall.
Every time I do a long format at any level I am reminded of how much better I ride at every level following that experience. My goal is to do a long format every year while it is still being offered and if that means riding a young horse in the T3D I will do it as long as it is allowed and it is the right thing for the horse. I will enter it to share my experience, knowledge and enthusiasm for the long format with the other riders at the event, to benefit my riding, to benefit my horses' education and most of all to support the long format so it will continue to be offered to future generations of eventers.
Ruthie

[FLeckenAwesome]

yay Ruthie!!!!

You rock!
I'm aiming for the T3D next fall and hope that you will be there, so i can ask questions and drive you bonkers :) and maybe, just maybe....your hubby can teach me some dressage lessons too!! he's done wonders with us already... the spooky app :) ha!!

Hope to see you next fall!!!
thanks for helping to educate your riders about it and trying to help keep the LF alive!

[eventinglvr]

I'm aiming for the T3D next year too, and I'm praying that there are people like Ruthie around to answer my last minute questions!!

I'm riding with Andrew at Rocking Horse in January, so hopefully he can get my guy tuned up and ready....

[CookiePony]

Ruthie, thank you so much for your public support of the long format-- both by entering your young horse and donating your time to educate others. Your enthusiasm is very much appreciated!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if enough pros entered with their greenies to make a pro division? I think the more the merrier, as far as the T3DE is concerned. I do think some clarifications of who is qualified would help clear up some confusion. We do not want to scare off entries, whether pro or ammy!

[flutie1]

Ruthie, Gobi joins the list of those who love you - and he is VERY selective!

[sfir]

and I hope to see you all at the April Ocala T3D!
Flutie I am no fool - Gobi is just wants to stay in good favor in case the opportunity arises to come to sunny Florida!
Ruthie