I just took the survey being distributed by USDF. They seem to be considering splitting AAs into over 50/under 50 divisions. I’m curious as to your thoughts!
What about 50? OK, I know they probably mean 50 and over. I think it might encourage more older people to show. Our bodies change a lot as the years pass and most of us aren’t able to use our bodies as we age as well as we could when we were younger.
My thought was that divisions should instead be novice vs those more experienced at the level, much as the novice rider divisions in eventing.
Riders in the over 50 category typically have far more knowledge and experience, which is an advantage over younger riders. Yes, younger riders bounce more readily so that is their advantage. Also, older riders *should * have stronger financial situations, where they can afford quality horses and training. And yet, they may be facing injuries or health issues.
I know my third time at Training level I know way more than I did my first time. I think being separated to a separate division from those who are new to dressage helps make it a more welcoming place.
I made that suggestion in the comments, and highly recommend everyone who agrees agrees do the same.
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They give an option for 50 or 60 as the break.
If the objective is to get more older people to compete, there are better ways of doing that.
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I would prefer if they split classes by rider experience level like netg mentioned.
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I think you’re painting with a very broad brush, and “new to dressage” leaves out people competing at all but the lowest levels. Those over 50 (or over 60 or over 70 :applause:) who want to compete at the upper levels would certainly not be new to dressage, so a novice division would be meaningless for them.
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If anyone isn’t familiar, check out the CBLM championship and how they split divisions: http://www.cblm.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/19CBLMRules.pdf. It starts around 8 on page 2.
Their “senior” is 22 and older. :lol:
Yes, same as USEF. It’s not an age division, but a novice split like others on this thread mentioned. The A section is people who haven’t shown 2 levels above the one they are riding, and the B sections is people who have. They do this in lieu of splitting amateur/pro.
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You don’t know ANYONE who bought an FEI-level horse or even a GP horse as their very first dressage horse, and debuted in competition at those levels? In late middle age, and, after only a few months of lessons?
I know several who did so, and know of several more. I can think of two ladies right off the top of my head in AZ and CA who showed at GP their very first times down CL. And after a few attempts, they got their scores for Gold Medals and THEN did the I-2, and were in the USDF Yearbook for their Golds. And then as time went on, they eventually began to show at lower levels. And by that, I mean down to Third, Fourth, and PSG.
There are many adult ammies who came to the discipline late in life and have never competed at Training, First, or Second. Some, never below PSG. Their existence (and sponsorships) are the primary reason that the qualifying % proposal was shot down, when it was suggested, more than ten years ago.
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Nope, and I would say that it is not the norm.
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Oh no it’s absolutely not even close to the norm.
It happens, though. There are 60-70 year olds right now, somewhere (somewhere really nice, no doubt!) who are working on the GP and who have no previous dressage show experience at all.
That’s all I’m saying. It happens.
ETA after I wrote that I realized the lesson after I rode today was a woman older than myself ( I think-- and I am 58) on a solid I-1 horse, who has never shown dressage. She just got him, and is hoping to show him at PSG this summer for her dressage debut. She’s working on half passes, multiple changes, etc. She’s working on that, in addition to learning to put him together in the dressage balance and cadence expected of the level. She has a long history of experience riding but has never shown recognized dressage. And I’m not saying she will do this or that it will be easy, I just realized I thought right away of another example of an older person, never shown, yet planning to debut upper level.
I think that if we all were to reflect on the people we know and see around at shows, more examples would occur to us. And-- If we’re in Florida, the examples will be even more frequent.
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This is the kind of division I was thinking of. For those of us who like to bring horses up the levels, the first horse at training level is a totally different experience than the third. I know so much more about bend, balance, and contact than I did my first time at training level, I would have no issue being in a different division than newcomers. Maybe you stop it second or third level or something, or maybe you have this division (novice is how I think of it in my head, as I think of the novice rider divisions in eventing) all the way up the levels.
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I too took the survey and said I saw no reason to change the current AA rules. I also said that if they were looking for more participation to go back and lower the scores necessary for AA’s to ride Freestyles.
I did not like how you had to answer only one way when they asked if you participated in Schooling Shows or Recognized Shows. I do both and was unable to answer that way.
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well since I came to Dressage not far from 50, I’ll disagree with this. And how in the world do you measure “novice”? And more stable financing? really, with (probably) kids in college?
Just do it by age and award every level.
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What about a “new to the level” division or “rookie” division for each level? Only riders in their first year at the level or never scoring above XX%. It seems they are trying to use age as a surrogate for experience…
There is no way to normalize for money spent on horses, training, etc. which might be a better path toward leveling the playing field.
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While USDF does offer the Vintage Cup for riders over 50, it does require a strong commitment to showing. Getting eight scores of 60% at the highest test of the level from four different judges may be a huge barrier to older adult amateurs. Scanning the awards, I see older professionals and long-time riders listed. I assume they have a long history of showing.
As has been mentioned, there are older people coming into the sport late because they now have the time after retirement and the money after the kids have grown. In a few weeks, a good friend is riding in her dressage first show on a schoolmaster. She is 70! It is a schooling show, but if she rides at a local USDF show this summer, it would be great to see a separate ribbon for her age group.
It is also hard to admit the human body does change at a “certain” age. Many people my age (mid-60’s), who are fit and active still struggle with core strength and nagging injuries, especially after a million years of riding. (However, it’s not an excuse for poor riding.) So many older riders are self-aware and self-conscious about the challenges of aging and quit because they feel they have aged out. Having some type of incentive for them to go out and show would be positive and bring a more people to the sport. I did take the survey and support awards for riders over the age of 55.
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The hunter world splits adult armies. It was at 35; don’t know if they have another, older split. It’s been 16 + years since I switched. Will say that in show around central fla, there are not a lot of us over 60 at least in fei classes. Only place it would be really interesting might be regionals.
I think that the majority of FEI riders are younger than 50. It’s certainly true where I live. It’s hard work, and can be beyond many people over 50 to be able to be competitive with the younger ones.
Another thing to think about is the type of horse an older adult amateur may choose to ride. I know many older riders who have purchased horses that are easier to ride, that is, not big, extravagant movers. Or, like me, have chosen to go the sport pony route. With a system that rewards the big movers, that is a factor. I’m just musing, so take that as you may.
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