sam_
Well-Known Member
All i seem to see just now is people not appreciating being classed as an amateur? What are your thoughts on this, it has propbaly been asked plenty of times before but i am intrigued!
What is everyones issue with the term 'amateur' in BS??
- Thread starter sam_
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dianchi
Well-Known Member
Really? I haven't seen this anywhere!
Only thing I would say is the BS rule of what is an amateur, used to be not in the top 250 in the country, but I know people who SJ is their living but are classed as Amateur!
Only thing I would say is the BS rule of what is an amateur, used to be not in the top 250 in the country, but I know people who SJ is their living but are classed as Amateur!
sam_
Well-Known Member
I think its all started from the HOYS Am classic, and everyone seems to have an opinion on what an amateur should be, and like you i know people who do SJ as a living and are still classed as an amateur, alot of people dont think that these people should be allowed to these classes, or they complain about the heights of the classes etc. etc. I dont see the problem personally the rules are perfectly clear, i just dont see the issue?
Polos
Well-Known Member
I think BS need to sort out the term amateur. There are a few off the top of my head that I know earn a living from showjumping/paid to ride people's horses and still compete in the amateur classes and that is what I think annoys people. I think someone said on here that one of these 'amateurs' used to be in the rankings but since they had a baby they dropped down the rankings out of the top 200-therefore they technically arent an amateur!
It is quite disheartening for the people who have to work 5 day weeks to go to an amateur show or qualifier at the weekend and see the same few people who had arrived with a lorry load of horses in the line up or in the championship classes. No matter how much training you do you will always be at a disadvantage to these 'amafessionals' (my word for someone who is actually a professional but still rides in amateur classes haha)
It seems to me that the people who don't have a problem with it are the 'amafessionals' and the people who do are the true amateurs.
It is quite disheartening for the people who have to work 5 day weeks to go to an amateur show or qualifier at the weekend and see the same few people who had arrived with a lorry load of horses in the line up or in the championship classes. No matter how much training you do you will always be at a disadvantage to these 'amafessionals' (my word for someone who is actually a professional but still rides in amateur classes haha)
It seems to me that the people who don't have a problem with it are the 'amafessionals' and the people who do are the true amateurs.
dianchi
Well-Known Member
Perhaps BS should look at the showing world's classification of amateur as that seems to work!
sam_
Well-Known Member
I do agree with you there, i think that if you have ever been in the top 250 rankings then you shouldn't be eligable for the amateur classes as its not fair for the true amateur, but in the same breath, i am a true amateur not a 'amafessional' and i don't have any particular problem. I work a 5/6 day week(with horses as a groom) and have to fit mine in around this, which isnt easy! I am hoping to do some HOYS Am qualifiers next year, and if i do qualify then i will find it more rewarding!!