Scottish BS riders - thoughts please

[smurf]

What do you all think about Cat 1 shows in central Scotland not being allowed to run British Novice, Discovery and Newcomers classes - do you think it is right/fair?

In England and the North of Scotland venues can run national (BN, Disc, NC) classes at a Cat 1 show as long as the class heights do not exceed 1.10m and they schedule at least 2 amateur classes. But venues in the central belt (SNEC, Inchcoonans, Blueridge, Muirmill, Morris, Rockrose etc) are not allowed to run national classes at these shows.

Were BS members aware of this (it is not in the rule book) ?

Are BS members bothered?

Do you want to be able to jump national classes and collect double clears at Cat 1 shows. The logic behind the decision was that some venues (not all) felt that it would increase numbers at shows if national classes were only offered at Cat 2 shows and not Cat 1. Therefore if on the same weekend there was a cat 1 and cat 2 show running they would appeal to different riders and not be competing head to head. The counter argument is that riders should have the same choices regardless of where in the country they are based

Thanks for feedback.

 

[PorkChop]

No, I didn't know that!

I'm in the North East so it doesn't affect me, but I think it is ridiculous, so yes, I think they should be allowed to run these classes.

 

[blood_magik]

that's interesting...

I don't know about everyone else but I tended to go to Cat 1s for the national amateur classes because I wanted a nice, inviting 'step up' in between the usual BN, Disco etc.

I've never really been in the position of trying for my four double clears as my horses are both out of the lower classes and I've either had to jump open or HC (currently in 1.05 so no double clears anyways), so can't comment on that, but I do think that it should be the same across the board - why is it only central Scotland?

 

[Xtra]

I didn't know about this but had noticed they were running differently. I have just started doing BN and my plan when they still did intro shows (yes it has taken me that long!) was to jump the 70, 80 and then BN. I do also like the new amateur format but feel it should be down to show centres to decide what is popular in their area.

As a nervous rider I would probably still rather do the old Cat 1 style allowing me an 80 as a warmup

 

[smurf]

So far three replies and all three never knew - interesting, thank you.
BS Scotland's take on it is that riders have not been complaining about this because they are happy with it. Seemingly it has been communicated to members but I (and the three above) seemed to have missed this email.