FFS....Do BE never listen

[kirkton]

From the BE website. I'm so angry that they just don't listen!

"After careful consideration and feedback following BE's initial proposal last year it has been agreed that the downgrading of horses is still a valid and important issue, therefore a new rule regarding this matter will be introduced for 2010.

The new system will allow less experienced competitors to benefit from the experience of older “schoolmasters” by allowing them to downgrade and lose all of their current points which will permit them to run competitively in the lower level classes.

Each application must adhere to certain criteria and will also be assessed on a case by case basis to ensure that applications are being made for genuine reasons.

See below for the extract from the 2010 Members’ Handbook:

1.37 Downgrading
i) A horse/pony is only eligible to be downgraded if it has not won any points in the current and preceding 2 calendar years.
ii) All applications to downgrade a horse/pony must be submitted to BE stating the reasons in support of the application. BE has the right to decline an application if it is satisfied that it is not in the best interests of the Sport.
iii) A horse or pony that has been downgraded loses any points it had accumulated and, subject to iv. & vi. below, becomes for all purposes Grade 4. A horse/pony which has been downgraded is not eligible to qualify for any Regional Finals or Grassroots Championships.
iv) If the downgraded horse/pony wishes to move up the class ladder again, then it must fully re-qualify as per BE rules.
v) A horse/pony may only be downgraded once.
vi) The name of a downgraded horse cannot be changed.
"

[ihatework]

Hmmm - I don't recall the exact rules before but these do look a bit more restrictive than I remember. I think there is a good arguement for being able to downgrade, I know there are open sections but maybe these will eventually be phased out/reduced?

So a horse can only be downgraded once (in it's lifetime presumably?), before it is downgraded it cannot have won any points for 2-3 years, and downgraded horses cannot qualify for the champs.

I can live with that

[LEC]

One thing I do have an issue with is if the horse is running in ON they cannot get any points. So technically it could be downgraded to grade 4 despite running consistently at novice. This would be ideal if you were selling the horse for Junior riders as proven at novice yet able to go round intro and PN. I guess in those kind of matters you would hope for BE to be awake.

[meardsall_millie]

I really don't have a problem with horses being downgraded (for whatever reason). Many can continue to have a very useful career at the lower levels and many riders can get lots of useful experience riding them.

There again I also don't have any issues competing against the pros, don't mind children being able to compete in BE classes (against adults) and am not bothered by the new rule which states medical armbands must be worn on your arm and not round your boot....

Easily pleased aren't I?!

[popsdosh]

The biggest problem I foresee is the horses that are downgrading cut the demand for open classes even more, so people who still want to run in open sections will find it even more difficult.
They have covered some of my reservations by stopping the downgraded horses going pot hunting in a major way by stopping them qualifying for any championships.
It just goes to show that the membership are not listened to as a majority voted against this ruling in an online vote but then again I was told 12 months ago that the powers that be were going to force this rule change even though they back tracked on it last year .
I can feel an emergency vote coming on at the AGM on sunday.

[popsdosh]

[ QUOTE ]
I think there is a good arguement for being able to downgrade, I know there are open sections but maybe these will eventually be phased out/reduced?



[/ QUOTE ]
Look at the bigger picture if this happens what do people do that want to give a more experienced horse an easier run. You need to decide if you want open sections or horses downgraded.

[Weezy]

Surely this sounds the death knoll for open classes? What a shame, personally I am against downgrading in any discipline, if you want to downgrade, ride in the open classes.

[Rosiefan]

From a personal point of view, how would Rosie and Bert get back into the swing of things next season if there were no Opens? He's advanced now so would they have to come straight back in at that level? I don't think any of us could handle that idea - even an Int seems a bit heavy - but she wouldn't want to downgrade him

[Sarah_Jane]

There are surely not going to be that many decent horses that haven't won points in the last or previous 2 season so I don't think it will affect a huge number of horses. Certainly don't see it majorly affecting open classes which are often populated by people dropping a level to give horses confidence, horse that are no longer eligible for the current level but don't want to move up and people that are getting to know new rides (these generally will have recent points)

It will give horses that have been injured and out of action for a few years a chance to come back to competition at a less demanding level.

I will reserve judgement but don't think there will be a major impact.

[VRIN]

Can not understand why they don't persuade (push) more events in to running open sections. Surely this will then cater for the people wanting experienced horses for their novice rider