USA showing... do/should we change?

Question

Personally I've given this lots of thought. What I've noticed, in especially dressage, and sometimes jumping, is that the rider's should not be in the level that they are showing.

Like, they might be doing a dressage test or whatever, and they just totally suck. But we have no limitations or restrictions that they should be at that level. Sometimes people just buy really fancy, high level horses, and think that they can waltz right in and do the highest level, but the people still get a low score because they just can't do it.

So MY question is, do you think we should do the Europe thing, where we have to get a certain amount of points to move up the level? What would your idea of pro's and con's be? I'll post mine in a sec!

Thanks! :)

Answer 1

This is an interesting question, but I have to ask, why are you concerned about riding against people who are not at your level? I presume if they suck and get low scores, it doesn't reflect poorly on your riding, does it?



And to play Devil's Advocate here:

Yes, there's a monetary aspect of the shows, they are expensive, and people need to enter for it to be cost-effective. The point system is a good idea, but it will be hard for some to get all those points, even if they are good riders, than others who can basically buy them by just going to as many shows as possible.



Also, as Amy S says, if you don't want to move up, for whatever reason, the point system might eliminate her option. I presume it would be complained about if a really good, high-scoring rider just hung out at lower levels keeping other riders from getting the points to move up. So you'd have a similar problem, good riders not getting the points, and bad riders still riding at the wrong levels!

Answer 2

I love the idea, but I think the problem would be that as you progress, you'll find less and less people at the level you are at. This is a problem even now with the current system. In order to do an A/O class, I have to go to Wellington or Jacksonville. The shows that are nearby are lucky to fill them. That's the one and only reason I stay at the 3'6 level, is cuz that way I actually have some competition.

If you made people actually QUALIFY for their level, everyone would be in the hopefuls!

Answer 3

I think that using a point system would be the smartest thing to do.