Qualifications to compete?? good idea?

QR -

I think the comment on how the system must be good because Germany dominate the equestrian world is a bit void really.

I mean, yes it sounds like a good scheme for serious competitors, but making it harder isn't going to make people with no ambition to ride at a high level, want to do it anyway. All it does it prevent people who'd be happy popping round a 1m class every week or so having a chance. Plus, you'd then have to spend more money trying to find a horse who was capable of jumping 1.20 courses.
 
I live in Switzerland where we have roughly the same scheme as France. There is unaffiliated competition, from 70cm for jumping and Novice/elementary for Dressage. To do this you need pass a basic horsemanship test includng ridden and theory. You have to jump but only a very small grid and one 80cm upright.

To compete affiliated, which starts at 1metre for jumping and same as unaffiliated for dressage you need a license. You obtain this by an exam or by getting consistently placed in competition at the same level as affiliated. The jumping competitions are style competitions at 1 metre height. The licenses for jumping and dressage are separate and most amateurs aim for one or the other.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top