| Author | Message | |||
     Christine Twigg Member Username: Rosibob Post Number: 40 Registered: 02-2008 |
I agree with the idea of a true championship 'points' series which by definition depends on attendance at a number of events, although I am less sure about the requirement to pay to partake. However, I do not agree with this being linked to qualification for the National Championships - individuals will have their own reasons for only attending one or two events and I think that taking away from them the ability to qualify is more likely to discourage them from attending nationals at all rather than encouraging greater attendance. If you don't have the time or the money or your horse is lame for part of the season, that won't be changed by making qualification harder. Surely in these difficult times we should be positively encouraging people to qualify whatever their circumstances, not limiting qualification to the better off? Just a query - is this going to be debated other than on the forum? | |||
| Fiona Powell Member Username: Fionap Post Number: 85 Registered: 03-2007 |
This looks really good and, as Frank says, should encourage more participation. What would be the criteria for picking a winner in the case of a draw? | |||
| Lyn Price Member Username: Lyn_price Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2011 |
Looking at the reasoning behind the proposal there is obviously some issues around single event qualification for the championship particularly I would suggest if at a late season two day regional where perhaps the higher placings have already qualified. Under these circumstances it would be reasonable to have completed a three day national event some time in the season to ensure capability of the requisit structure of the event. We must be careful not to devalue too much the regional concept that was designed as a bridge between club and national. If competition fitness in the championship is in question then completing a minimum number of club, regional or national events in a season - perhaps 4 would also be very reasonable. I am among the competitors who do a very low number of nationals for many valid reasons and would be against qualification by threshold points as this really is a reflection of how many nationals you can get to and thus does not necessarily reflect ability however I would support the halving of the relative value of regional points. Reflecting on club events it would be of great value to consider inclusion of some very well run challenging 2 day events which are easily equivalent to the regionals into the end of year points system maybe on a scale slightly less to the regionals value to ensure continuity of the concept of the regional events. For example maybe using a multiple of 1:2:4 (Club,Regional,National) If this was done possibly a minimum number of points for competing in the championships in combination with the current method of qualification might be appropriate to ensure competition fitness, or as aforesaid and perhaps more fairly completing a minimum number of club/regional national events in a season. If qualification by a points threshold was introduced which would by default exclude the 1-3 national event competitor I believe it would disinfranchise them greatly and risk losing membership. Perhaps some structured retrospective audit work is in order (or if it has been done diseminated)to get a real handle on what patterns of competing currently are and how they are changing year on year. This could be combined with a well considered on line questionnaire for forward planning. Personally I applaud rethinking of established systems particularly if there are safety issues raised combined with encouraging people who mainly sit within the club system and am encouraged by the level of comment on this issue. | |||
| Hamish Reid Member Username: Hamishreid Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2009 |
Having been a member for many years and been able only to compete very occasionally I am sure I would not have remained a member if there was a restricted entry to the Nationals if only competing once a year. Having paid the same amount to the BHDTA I would prefer to leave things alone. We need to encourage people to keep participating regardless of how often. In recent years we seem to have introduced more ways to discourage than to encourage people to join. | |||
| Carole Redgrave Member Username: Caroleredgrave Post Number: 19 Registered: 03-2008 |
Fortunately, for us lesser mortals, there are those things called CLUB EVENTS! I managed to do 2 Nationals this year ( and Thank-You BHDTA for now letting Novices do Nationals) but most of my fittening ( and enjoyment of the sport ) is done at Club Events. During August we were at a competition three weeks in a row and my horse thrived on it! We start competing in April and continue through to September Outdoors and then begin the Winter Indoor Season in October. My horse is bored when he's not in work and usually ends up injuring himself in the field!!Some Club Events are actually more challenging than the Finals at Windsor!!!! Something wrong there I think!! As for the new Championship Proposal, I don't think it should form part of the Qualification for the Finals. I agree with other people that it might actually reduce the number of competitors. The current Driver's Points League does need a facelift as it is mostly just a reflection of who can manage to get to the most Nationals. | |||
| Gemma Smith Member Username: Gemma_smith Post Number: 5 Registered: 07-2011 |
What I can't understand is how the people that compete at just one national event to qualify for the National Championships are "Competition fit ?" Surely the National Championships should be the ultimate event of the year to compete in. Therefore, I completely support the idea that at least four National competitions or Regionals should be completed to qualify. I am speaking as someone with not a lot of disposable income or time as I run a busy Riding School. We still need a decent level of competition to aspire to. Also animal fitness at the Championship level should be really imporatnt, although it maybe contraversial I am against being able to qualify at one event and consider the Points League the more accurate measure of the sucessful competitors this season. So in my class a very well done to Joseph !!! | |||
| Patti Atkinson Member Username: Pattia Post Number: 20 Registered: 03-2007 |
The idea of a Championship series is a good one but perhaps it should not be linked to qualification for the "National Finals". People who intend to drive at 2 or more Nationals could be eligble for the annual Championship and (possibly) pay a levy for the first year. Second and subsequent years would really need a main sponsor. This would still enable the 'One Event Only' National competitor to qualify for the National Finals which is something we really need to retain - job commitments, sickness, injury and cost all have a bearing on the number of outings a turnout can do. | |||
| Maxine Ingham Member Username: Harvey Post Number: 22 Registered: 06-2008 |
I agree with James, I think it may well reduce numbers. | |||
| James Lewis Member Username: Rufuss Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2008 |
I worry this proposal would actually lose competitors.Many people cannot actually get to more than 2 or 3 events due to the practicalities of life such as work and getting help,before you take in the financial costs of entries,many people l know this year have actually saved hard to get to one event,and if you take away the chance of qualifing for the nationals why would you join the BHDTA when you might as well stick to club events,which would reduce the growth of membership.lncidentally having looked at the lists of who qualified for the Nationals this year it would appear a majority of the competitors this season qualified. | |||
| James Campbell Member Username: Jamesc Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2007 |
I like the idea, and I also think the points should be used as qualification for the championships. For example the top 2/3s of each class would qualify (or what ever proportion created the number of entries the National Championships could accept). The Championship Points League could be given a higher profile on the web site and drivers encouraged to submit a profile of themselves which would help anyone putting together articles for magazines or websites. Other sports have these resources to help journalists. I am afraid I have not checked this with Vic but hopefully he may be able to find space! If we can demonstrate that the league helps create interest and therefore publicity, then we are more likely to find sponsorship for it in due course. Mary Jane | |||
| Diane Phillips Member Username: Dianephillips Post Number: 9 Registered: 06-2010 |
This is a good idea but I do think that the points should perhaps be used for qualification for the championships. If I am reading it correctly I can see a situation as we often do in motorsport when somebody earns enough points early on in the season and can't be caught. Creating a prize money pot is a good idea as it would be self funded until hopefully the sport finds sponsorship and the prize money would be donated. | |||
| Julie Hoskyns Member Username: Julieh Post Number: 24 Registered: 03-2007 |
Like and agree with the idea but not keen on the 'buy in' | |||
| Frank Campbell Member Username: Frankc Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2011 |
Hi all Attached is a championship proposal that i have drawn up. This is for discussion, please post any changes or recommendations you feel are needed and state whether you are for or against the idea. Feedback would be fantastic! Many Thanks Frank Campbell BHDTA Council Member
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championship proposal