Another Area Festival Question

[Marquire]

I qualified for the Petplan Area Festival at both prelim and novice (restricted) level in April. However, since then I 'accidentally' amassed 39 points. Can I still do the Area Festival at prelim level as I was eligible when I qualified or will only be allowed to do the novice class?

The BD rule book is confusing.

Thankies,

Marie

 

[Tempi]

Yup, you can still do the area festival.

 

[Marquire]

Thanks that what I thought but I managed to convince myself I had read somewhere that you had to have less than 37 points when entries closed.

Marie

 

[Tempi]

yes, you definately can - the rule says that even once qualifying you can upgrade - but you must stay in rider group 7 - no higher before the area festival. After that you can move up a rider group.

 

[SaraG]

I'm afraid you are correct in thinkiing that you saw something about not having more than 37 points at the close of entries.

That is referenced in rules 139 d) and 143 d) - "Horses need not be registered for qualifiers but must not have won more than 37 points at the close of entries."

Prelim is the exception to the general rule that you can keep your qualification even if your horse goes over the points limit for a level. This is because Prelim is for those who are genuinely starting out. To get over 37 points indicates a good level of experience at Novice. This is particularly important for an Area Festival which is for the slightly less experienced rider.