Do you think it is fair/ethical, for an adult returning rider to reclaim their novice status after a certain number of years away from riding/showing?
Assume 15+ years away from showing.
Also assume the show circuit in question doesn’t have much selection for classes (no low or adult classes). Not recognized.
I’d think it would depend on how good they were previously, and how much their skills have eroded.
Someone who won a national eq medal as a junior, probably not ethical no matter what.
It depends. For example, is it also 15+ years away from regular riding? And 30 pounds plus two kids later? Then yeah, maybe reclaiming novice status is entirely appropriate.
“Novice” implies a certain ability level. If that’s the level at which the returning rider is riding, then I’d be OK with it.
yes it is unethical
Depends on what the class specifications are - some of the lower level adults classes have pretty vague class specs, and as others mentioned it would depend on what the level of rider the person was before they stopped competing and how comfortable they are now back in the saddle. I know several adult riders who showed as jrs took some time off of showing, their confidence (and skill) is low but improving - classes are full of this type of rider. I also know of a couple of riders who never stopped riding except towards the end of their pregnancies but didn’t actively compete for many years who enter these adult long stirrup type classes with their young/green horses which I don’t think is too cool but as I said it all depends on how the class/division specs are written.
I would say give it a try if you’re comfortable there. If, however, you go in and kick butt, do not do it again.
Hate the cliche but…it depends on the specifics. Somebody who was average, showed in 3’ or under with no zone or national achievements, coming back at age 50 after three kids is one thing. Medal Finalist, Junior, Derby etc on the AA rated circuit for years coming back at age 33 is another.
Case by case basis is the way it’s been handled with the affiliates I have been a member of. Novice anything is not Nationally rated. Depends on if there are any other suitable classes too. If there are no lower height open classes, all are restricted to novice it could mean they don’t show if age, illness or injury limit how high they can compete.
Think OP is asking on behalf of a client or maybe about one who pinned above her client, she’s a Pro, that would be unethical.
I won the Zone Show jumping in D grade when I was a teenager.
I now haven’t jumped for decades although I still ride. I don’t know if I could jump a horse over a pole on the ground. There is no way I could go back into D Grade.
If they were a novice when they quit, OK. Otherwise, no. Any competition experience at all puts them beyond the ‘novice’ range regardless of how the definition is worded.
This show doesn’t define Novice Rider, it is just the description for their 2’3" division. 2’0" is very novice, the 2’6" is novice horse, and then 2’9" is open. The only other open division is cross poles.
Assume the rider broke their novice at unrecognized or C level shows and have confidence issues…will not be winning everything.
Wish the show named the classes differently, or defined them better.
Will people know your name from your prior riding career? Did you accomplish some high-level accomplishments? Is this the class you’re actually at the level for?
If no to the first 2 and yes to the last question, I say go in the class.
I doubt anyone will know person #1. They might remember person #2 just because she rode at a big lesson barn and had siblings that also rode. No high level accomplishments. I don’t think anyone will care as it will be obvious they are in the right class, but it still feels awkward to me. Both would be riding jumper type horses, but need miles in the hunters (the jumpers at this show are scary), so placing well isn’t really the issue…but they would like to be able to compete for the lower placings.
Is the show recognized by some local group/club? If so, I would ask a member of that group’s board. I’m a board member for a local organization and we allow riders who have not shown above 3’ in more than 5 years to re-acquire “special” status.
Your best bet is to explain the situation to the show manager, so if s/he does hear any chatter, they have a reply at the ready. Generally, if a rider “fits” with the division, it is rare to get push back. That usually happens when they clearly outclass their competitors.
Do they actually mean Novices only? I showed at some schooling shows many years back that had a division called Novice Hunter. It was just the name of that Circuit’s 2’ fences division. It didn’t have any entry restrictions on it (i.e. it functioned as an open 2’ class).
If it is restricted to Novices, but the Circuit doesn’t define that, I’d feel comfortable showing in it as long as the rider is actually appropriately placed in that division by current ability.
If you or the rider in question is in the least bit uncomfortable or concerned about whether the rider is legally entered in one of these classes or divisions, simply show non-competitor in this class. Surely, winning a prize at this little show in this particular class isn’t the main goal of this trip?
I am of the opinion that once losing Maiden or Novice status lifetime, it is lost and gone, and a rider is no longer able to call themselves this again, no matter how long out of the picture. But it must be at a rated show, winning in schooling shows or unrated shows does not count for rated shows. Whether or not winning at unrated shows counts for non rated shows is something that the show staff would have to decide. That, and the guilt level of the rider if they win.
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