BS and Points. Can someone simplify what this all means??

[Ample Prosecco]

Last year I had some very helpful advice about what to target in show-jumping as I had never done any SJ before, apart from as part of eventing. So hopefully those with more knowlege can help me out again.

Lottie now has 127 points. She arrived with 57 and I added the rest last season and so far this season. I think that means I am no longer eligible for BN? But I have LOADS still to learn at that height and do not feel ready to step up. Besides as far as I can work out, I'll be out of Discovery at 225 points. As I intend to stay at 85/90 all season to prepare for Champs at Aintree, does that mean I could end up next season out of Discovery, having never even done one?

I am also confused about Open classes because my friend's daughter is has done a couple of the Open classes, but now says there is 'no point' doing them anymore as she can't qualify for anything. But I don;t know what she means really.

Basically I would like to know what a show-jumper can focus on, if they want to get better at one height and not just keep moving up, as I love having specific challenges to work towards and I love setting targets and goals.

 

[greenbean10]

Yes so the points system and BN, Disco classes etc essentially is made for people producing horses, and (mostly) ensures that an experienced horse isn’t able to go up against a 4 year old etc.

If you win 100 BN you would accumulate enough points to jump you ‘out’ of Discovery and Newcomers, which means you can’t jump those classes competitively even if you have never jumped them! It doesn’t matter where you get your points.

Open classes are good if you want to be competitive but you are right they don’t necessarily ‘lead’ anywhere although I don’t find this matters as you can still get experience and improve!

It sounds as though you are still in Discovery, so you can jump the Discovery classes and qualify for the second rounds etc. I’m not sure how big you jump but Disco second rounds are big - final round is at least 1m20, so unless you are happy doing that you may not even want to jump the second rounds anyway - in which case it makes no difference jumping an open vs a discovery.

If I were you and you want to qualify for things I’d focus on the amateur classes as you said.

Jump 5 DCs (or perhaps 4) at any one amateur height in a year and you’ll qualify for Aintree amateur champs. Jump 1 DC and you qualify for the second rounds which allow you to qualify for the final if you place. It’s safer to try to get your 5DCs because the second rounds are fast

So yes, theoretically if you jump lots of amateur classes and place / jump clear you can jump yourself out of Discovery too. but unless you are wanting to do the second rounds and finals (which will also be enormous) then this doesn’t really matter!

 

[LEC]

Friends have Grade A horses who have never jumped over 1.10m purely through the amount of points accumulated. Essentially if you were going to target BN 2nd rounds you need to make sure your outings count to get the 4x clears you need.

https://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/_files/British%20Showjumping%20Horse%20League%20Points%20Table%20-%202017%20REV%2013.pdf

 

[blood_magik]

If you want something to aim for that isn’t straight BN/disco etc, have a look at the D&H national amateur qualifiers - they start at 85cm.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I’m probably being thick but I still don’t know what these replies mean! I do want to target 2nd rounds and I’ve got 3 clears of the 4 needed. But was I wasting my time as I can’t do 2nd rounds anyway now?

 

[greenbean10]

I’m probably being thick but I still don’t know what these replies mean! I do want to target 2nd rounds and I’ve got 3 clears of the 4 needed. But was I wasting my time as I can’t do 2nd rounds anyway now?

Ooh no so I think once you are out of BN you are out, unless you had already qualified.

You won't be able to jump any more BNs now you have too many points - so you will need to do 90cm open instead. This is why you sometimes see people circling before a last fence or withdrawing, as they have too many points and are about to jump themselves out of a class - but they still haven't qualified.

And yes I know a lot of Grade A horses (over XXXX points can't remember how many) who have never jumped above 1m. They just constantly win at 90cm!

Another thing to look into is the Bronze league - https://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/rankings/leagues/bronze. You just aren't allowed to jump above 1.10 (otherwise you move to silver league). This is based on points so you just have to accure as many points as you can over a set period (so either BN or open classes etc) and then I think there is a final. This also is very competitive and fast so really good to work towards.

But it might be worth giving BS a ring to check, they are usually pretty helpful!

ETA the BN second rounds are still pretty beefy - I believe it's 3 rounds going up to 1m15

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Ah ok. I think I get it now. That’s really frustrating!! But at least I know now and won’t get all excited at my next BN clear, thinking I’ve qualified. X

 

[Ample Prosecco]

If you want something to aim for that isn’t straight BN/disco etc, have a look at the D&H national amateur qualifiers - they start at 85cm.

I’ll have a look, thanks x

 

[greenbean10]

I’ll have a look, thanks x

D&H National amateur classes are what you did last year at Aintree I believe!

Ah ok. I think I get it now. That’s really frustrating!! But at least I know now and won’t get all excited at my next BN clear, thinking I’ve qualified. X

Yes although may be worth double checking as I'd hate to be responsible for you not qualifying

 

[Matafleur]

Ah ok. I think I get it now. That’s really frustrating!! But at least I know now and won’t get all excited at my next BN clear, thinking I’ve qualified. X

It's been a while since I jumped BS but I don't believe you can jump BN again, so make sure you enter the open if they are running concurrently. Otherwise they fine you

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Its really frustrating because I have been targeting the 5 DCs in the 85 for champs and 4 DCs for BN 2nd rounds. When instead I could have focused on 95 qualifiers for champs instead! Oh well, at least I know now and can switch focus.

According to BS site I appear to be auto-enrolled in the Bronze League for East Midlands region, and am just accumulating points. But I don't know where it leads to or what it means.

 

[humblepie]

Its really frustrating because I have been targeting the 5 DCs in the 85 for champs and 4 DCs for BN 2nd rounds. When instead I could have focused on 95 qualifiers for champs instead! Oh well, at least I know now and can switch focus.

According to BS site I appear to be auto-enrolled in the Bronze League for East Midlands region, and am just accumulating points. But I don't know where it leads to or what it means.

Gosh it is very complicated. Back in the days when i show jumped, it was done on £s not points, there were no leagues, no amateur and it wasn't double clears either, it was placings through to the regional final. Obviously lots more opportunities now which is brilliant, but it does look like you need a spreadsheet and a plan of campaign with a three year target. Perhaps there is an opening for someone to set up an App..... Good luck with working it all out.

 

[MNMyShiningStars]

It's all a bit complicated. We are in a similar situation having bought a horse with a fair few points he can't even compete at Foxhunter unless it's the open section.
I did find this though:

HOYS Bronze Silver League Championships - The Official Website of British Showjumping

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I can't count! I have qualified for 2nd rounds already. I have 4 clears at BN and my account on BS says 'congratulations you have qualified' and sent me a Qualification Certificates. So are they just expecting me to know I am no longer eligible? Or can I do 2nd rounds?

 

[Matafleur]

I can't count! I have qualified for 2nd rounds already. I have 4 clears at BN and my account on BS says 'congratulations you have qualified' and sent me a Qualification Certificates. So are they just expecting me to know I am no longer eligible? Or can I do 2nd rounds?

No, you can do 2nd rounds if you've qualified, it doesn't matter if you have too many points. You just can't do 1st rounds anymore. 2nd rounds was big though when I did it years ago! I was very happily jumping Discovery and still thought it was massive.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Oh brilliant! Might as well give it a go!!

 

[greenbean10]

Yes you can still do 2nd rounds! Definitely give them a go!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Looking for help again. There is a 2nd rounds comp on 27/28th April at Dean Valley which is very local. I heard somewhere that there are 3 rounds on the same day? But on the schedule is just looks like one which starts at 100, with the top 4% going through to National Championships. I should be ok at 100? I have done a few 95 qualifiers. And Lottie seems unconcerned about the increase in height. If I ride well, she is fine.

I feel like I ought to try, having qualified. I actually have a lesson at Dean Valley tonight so I can ask whether we are ready but it's a group lesson with groups before and after me so I don't want to waste the instructor's time by asking loads of numpty questions.

There is also a Cat 2 show at Dean Valley on Sunday so I could enter a Disco to see what it feels like.... Any one know about the 3 rounds thing?

 

[Matafleur]

Looking for help again. There is a 2nd rounds comp on 27/28th April at Dean Valley which is very local. I heard somewhere that there are 3 rounds on the same day? But on the schedule is just looks like one which starts at 100, with the top 4% going through to National Championships. I should be ok at 100? I have done a few 95 qualifiers. And Lottie seems unconcerned about the increase in height. If I ride well, she is fine.

I feel like I ought to try, having qualified. I actually have a lesson at Dean Valley tonight so I can ask whether we are ready but it's a group lesson with groups before and after me so I don't want to waste the instructor's time by asking loads of numpty questions.

There is also a Cat 2 show at Dean Valley on Sunday so I could enter a Disco to see what it feels like.... Any one know about the 3 rounds thing?

Again, years since I did one but it's just one class, but there are sometimes 2 jump offs. The rule book should tell you what it will max out at, from memory it might be 1.15 in the final round?

How big it is actually built will depend on the size of the class, how many through to the first jump off etc.

Actually, just read the rule book. 3 rounds, first jump off at 1.05 with 2 fences at 1.10. 2nd jump off will go up again I think.

 

[Matafleur]

Give it a go if it's close to you anyway, you've qualified. Worst case, you decide not to carry on if you feel she's not happy. Best case you have a great time and win some money!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Oh thanks so much for looking it up. So I just enter that 1 class and then if I am clear I carry on. Got it!

Yes I could just choose not to jump off if I get that far. Id be tempted by the first jump off but there is no way I'd do the 2nd jump off starting at 1:10 going up to ?? I've never eben done Discovery

 

[Matafleur]

Oh thanks so much for looking it up. So I just enter that 1 class and then if I am clear I carry on. Got it!

Yes I could just choose not to jump off if I get that far. Id be tempted by the first jump off but there is no way I'd do the 2nd jump off starting at 1:10 going up to ?? I've never eben done Discovery

Definitely get round a Discovery before. I was v established at Discovery and the first round of the BN 2nd round looked big when I walked it. I am a big chicken though so I'm sure you'll be fine!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I am a VERY big chicken!! But I'll enter this Sunday and see how we go. My busy weekend just got busier....