DO you think there should be minuim

kick_On

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Riding standard for competeting at BE??
I ask the question, cos for my sins i fence judged at local BE event to me and i had to watch some really horrible riding, pulling horse in gobs, watching people just not in balence, people just over riding out of puff horses, yuck.......
and it wasn't the baby classes.
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I was shocked
BUT in fairness saw some beauty riding and also saw some very good intelligent riding which defo made up for the horrible stuff.
But it got me thinking:-
Do you think there should be a minuim standard of riding to do BE??? and how could they run it and enforce it??
It seems to me that some folks don't do grass root stuff before affilating??? Am i wrong??
 
To be honest if there was a minimum the same people would be competing at unaffiliated. I would prefer they compete at affiliated level where they can be competing amongst a better standard that hopefully they can aspire to.
 
I think stopping people from competing is a bit of a backward move TBH. IMO it would be better to do more to encourage people to get lessons and improve their style - so many people learn to jump, then say 'oh I can ride - I don't need lessons'. These people need educating and need to be encouraged to seek tuition and guidance to improve their style and make things better and safer for everyone. There is not enough emphasis on the value of training.
 
i was true shocked at standard, it was folk running at novice and pre-novice, I really felt sorry for some horses. I know we all need to be inspired and i defo saw some brilliant horsemanship, just rode so smoothly and beautifully with horse - which has made me think about my riding a lot.
BUT on the other hand some where just been taken around by a very kind horse and the rider wasn't help the horse in anyway
And IS it me, but there also seems to me that folks are just putting their hands in their pocket for there darling little girly.......... to go affilated
 
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And IS it me, but there also seems to me that folks are just putting their hands in their pocket for there darling little girly.......... to go affilated

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Oh Yes! I agree! I know so many people who have been spoilt - but the best riders I know are the ones who have had to make do with their slightly loopy / inexperienced horses and have made the best of them!

I know what you mean about the standard at these events. I think it's different for dressage though - maybe there is something to be learnt and style should be judged as well?
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I dont know if some people dont do any "grass roots" stuff before attempting BE. I certainly would hope so!

Personally I think there should be a training day whereby the BE trainer then signs them off if they are competent enough to compete at BE. I think the juniors used to have to do this? Or otherwise say they have to have done like 5 years of competing at RC level or something.

I'm very much against the "pre-intro" as I dont think it'll help. I just think it'll encourage MORE trashy riding. I think for affiliated, you are expected to be able to ride at a certain level therefore LOWERING that level even more will just lower standards.

Maybe the way to go would be to hand out free lessons to those who make a terrible job on the day?!
 
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Maybe the way to go would be to hand out free lessons to those who make a terrible job on the day?!

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Excellent idea! I could do with some extra lessons and I'm pretty good at flapping and looking terrible - especially when people are watching... lol

I think they are trying to get more people into the sport to increase it's profile, but they need to focus on making sure it doesn't turn into an adults gymkhana!
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I like the idea they have on the continent where they dont let people compete untill they are competant enough to do dressage and jumping to a certain level.. not only for the horses benefit but also for the safety of the riders!
 
I like the idea of running more training days but then those that need them need to attend dont they?

Im interested in the system on the continent BBmat, how does this work, how is the riding assessed??

Im not a fan of Nanny states, weve seen enough if this IMO but would be interested if there are succesful systems in operation already out there.
 
I think all riders should be assessed by an accredited trainer for all affilliated disaplines.
I feel strongly that there are way to many riders out there who do not have the knowledge or skill riding at Intro and pre-novice level. They are getting round courses by the skin of the horses teeth!!!
I know of a few people who have bought "ready made" horses who will cary them around the course even though the riding skills are so poor it borders on abuse.
The idea of pre-intro is crazy. The real trouble with BE is the cost. I have two friends who have fantastic little horses, but they can only go to a handfull of BE events as they just cant afford to go to more. Perhaps the way to open it up would be to lower the cost but raise the standard of riding.
 
I think getting assessed is a great idea. Because although there are some dodgy riders doing BE, there are also some I see at RC and wonder why they AREN'T doing affiliated! I think some of the better riders are deluded thinking they arent good enough to affiliate! At least then they could go to one of these training days and be told they should give it a go which is way more encouraging then simply introducing a shite class!
 
I don't think there is any way you could enforce it.. i know of someone who has/is trying to compete at BE Adv. level (you obviously have to qualify to compete at this level).. they are truely dreadfull and a danger to themselfs and their horse!!
I'm not sure if there's anything that can be done about people like this, other than hope they have a brain
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OMG!!!!
they must have trainers helping them
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I think what upset me most was how uncomfrotable some horses looked with their riders all over them shop on board, arms, legs and reins all over the shop
 
bbmat you took the words out of my mouth...I was just about to say that on the continent - in Germany for sure, and possibly elsewhere - you have to have done passed certain assessments in various disciplines (ie, dressage and sj) before you can go affiliated. I think this is a great idea, and will be interested to see how it works, as I'm going to work in Austria for an eventing family for the summer (I think they have a similar system there...). Trouble is I'm not sure I'd pass!!!! Heehee.
 
There is a minimum standard for XC at BE

You have to get around a course of show jumps without exceeding 24 faults
 
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