As someone who is a fair number of years older than 22…I am laughing in their general direction.
Sheilah
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WHY? I Don’t get it…for more ribbons? For more money? Increase show attendance? Are snowflakes aging out of their division and not getting enough ribbons? LOL
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Fearless over Fifty. There are very few who are.
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Oh, please. The snark is uncalled for. Maybe people who are still riding into their 50s, 60s, and (like me) 70s would be happier to show if they weren’t competing against people in their teens and 20s.
And yes, increased show attendance would benefit everyone. When entries fall, organizations stop putting on shows.
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I’ll second the comment on snark not necessary.
My thoughts as to why USDF is considering: 1. most of their focus/opportunities seem to be on younger riders. I dont know what member demographics look like but I’d bet there is a decent % over 50. So they are covering their bases.
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Yes, having another division may well encourage more “seniors” to compete. And this may be particularly true at the lower levels where classes are usually bigger. Could be beneficial to members AND USDF.
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They are late to the “seniors” game relative to many other sports: The Senior Games are sanctioned by US Olympic Committeehttps://www.readysetgofitness.com/23_SeniorGames.shtml
I have no problem riding/competing against younger riders. But I would enjoy the social part of riding/competing with more who are actually my friends.
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There is no equestrian presence in the senior / master games scheme.either in the US or internationally. The range of sports participating is narrower than the Olympics and some exist in the senior / master games scheme which do not exist in the olympics. based on the way these events rudn, I doubt there will ever be a place for equestrian.
Did the USDF do away with the Master division year end awards.
Hoopoe - you are obviously correct above re senior games. But my point is that many sports offer senior divisions at their events. Among other things, it encourages us aging baby boomers to get out and exercise, it provides an outlet for those of us who have a competitive streak and there is presumably a social component as well.
In the Hunter world it appears the age divisions are done by region, but I think it was Western Region I read that has 3 splits for adult ammies. 1. Under 35, 36-50, over 50.
IMO, if USDF pursues this, it cant really hurt…I dont see any material cost to them - and it may encourage more senior riders.
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I know, when I look at my friends, most of us starting having “physical issues” around mid-50s to 60. Bad backs, serious injuries (and we no longer bounce back easily), cancer, loss of strength, bone density issues - things that really limit riding ability. Along with fear issues ramping up - because we no longer bounce back easily from injuries. So maybe that is what they are considering?
I’d give anything to go back to my 40s! A decent level of knowledge, and body that still cooperated (more or less).
My “additional comments” on that survey had to do with putting less emphasis on big gaits - that is where I believe they are losing membership and show participation. A LOT of people moving to WD and WE where gaits aren’t so prioritized.
I also said “please don’t increase our costs, people are dropping out because they can’t AFFORD this sport”.
BTW - Senior means “not-junior/young rider” - so Junior is to age 18, Young Rider is to age 22, and Senior is 22 and over. So I don’t know what they’ll call a new division - Vintage?
As for income - I see plenty of younger people getting fancy horses. The biggest % of fancy trained horses seems to be in the Jr/YR division… I think there are still a lot of us vintage riders that aren’t rolling in the $$$. Heck, I’m in CA - think Silicon Valley - there are a lot of wealthy younger people!
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Most do 18-35 and 36 & over, but I’ve also seen 18-35, 36-49, and 50 & over in the mid-range divisions that most of the ammies end up in. The regional adult medal final near me goes even further and splits 18-21, 22-27, 28-45, and 46 & over.
I know dressage doesn’t need to split that far, but the range can be all over the place.
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We barely have enough entries to make an AA division, never mind split it up! Maybe at training/first, but any higher forget about it.
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I believe the only thing resulting from this will be that showing is going to be more expensive… so I refuse to even think about it… but so what…
Maybe Limit Horse or Limit Rider division’s would work. First year at Second, or haven’t scored over 65% at this level? Maybe similar caps for horses in a different division? Only recognized shows count toward these caps. I’ve seen this done in the hunters. It’s a nice way for green at this level horses/riders to compete against their peers and maybe still take home a ribbon.
I’d be curious to see how this would work at a dressage show since people seem to do individual tests instead of divisions. Might not translate.
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I don’t see the need for this at a national/USDF level. In general, classes are already too small. Also, with differences in rider experience, horse experience (i.e. schoolmasters), breed, training, etc. rider age is not necessarily a relevant division. However, people SHOULD remember that show management can split classes up any way they want, offer additional local awards, etc. If there are certain clubs, shows, or places that want these type of awards locally, then by all means start offering them at your show, club, or GMO. They might be more meaningful at that level where competitors are likely to recognize the individual and their stories.
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I consider a division by age to be patronizing and insulting…winning in this division would like winning in the “Best of the Worst & Crippled” class. If I want to COMPETE, I want to COMPETE…against the best…not some watered down division.
Klimke was in his prime at 63 when he died. Podhajski was 75. Phillip Dutton is 56 and still competing. Bruce Davidson is 70’s.
Somewhere in my dim dark past, someone told me that if I wanted to improve my tennis game, I needed to play with people better than me…which made me realize that I HATE tennis…but this advice applies equally directly to dressage.
But I didn’t get to put in my comments because I haven’t renewed my GMO membership…torn between wanting to support the GMO and NOT wanting to support USDF.
I am currently spending my time breaking young horses, since I can’t afford made ones. We do a little dabbling in WE because it is fun.
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Irrelevant examples. There are (were) all remarkable, phenomenal horsemen, not AA ladies in flyover country.
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So would a rider be obligated to enter that class and not be able to compete against everyone else then? Or would this be an optional class?
I dont think it would be classes. Even now most shows around here have joint Open/AA classes and split the ribbons if there are 3 or more of either… IRT to proposal, not sure how this is different from the Vintage Cup. And IRT show costs, any award USDF offers is likely to have the same requirements as all the others - 4 shows, 8 scores (TL-4) or 4 scores (FEI), from four different judges.
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I dont think it would be classes. Even now most shows around here have joint Open/AA classes and split the ribbons if there are 3 or more of either… IRT to proposal, not sure how this is different from the Vintage Cup. And IRT show costs, any award USDF offers is likely to have the same requirements as all the others - 4 shows, 8 scores (TL-4) or 4 scores (FEI), from four different judges.
According to the survey, this is an adult amateur division, so like @lorilu, I would assume classes would still be joint but ribbons would be given to members of the new age group. So, classes would include pros. AAs and seniors. Since the Vintage Cup gives awards to riders over the age of 50, that would cover anyone in a new category.
What are your ideas?
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