BD - Downgrading your rider group?

[ihatework]

A good friend of mine would like to try and downgrade her rider group from a 6 to a 7, but BD aren't at all interested and don't seem to have a system in place.

Basically she breeds horses and competes them unaff a bit as babies, she would like to have a go at the prelim and novice restricted regionals but as it is she can't.

The reason she is a group 6 rider is that many years ago she struck lucky with a lovely little irish chap. He got 4 points at intermediate level eventing and was last registered with BE in 1997. He never did any pure dressage and wasn't even amazing in the event dressage! Yet 12 years on she is still stopped from competing her homebreds.

Yes she could compete in the open sections but isn't prepared to shell out the money went she stands little chance of matching the big boys!

Has anyone ever managed to get their rider group downgraded?

 

[Imonone]

You have to be so careful dont you, cant afford to get a point at Elementary, as the open section is so high quality.

BD did discuss amateurs being allowed to get points on up to 3 horses at one time but it was never introduced, which is a shame for your friend.

Cant help with the rider downgrading as Ive never heard of it happening and cant imagine it being allowed as an enormous amount of riders would probably like to do the same thing

 

[squirtlysmum]

As far as I know they won't downgrade, I'm a 5 and thoroughly stuck as I have a baby ned who I'll have to compete in the Opens and against the professionals, it would be better to do the points on the horses as they do in the BSJA.

 

[Divasmum]

My daughter is group 5. We now have a youngster and her theory is that she doesn't mind competing open because if the professionals beat her she doesn't mind but when she sometimes beats them she is over the moon! She says she feels less pressure that way than doing restricted when some people would expect her to do well.

 

[Divasmum]

They did change the rules last year so that you have to get 14 points at a higher level before you go up a group. People could apply at that time to be downgraded. It is worth phoning or emailing BD to find out where you stand.