It actually appears that ‘all breeds rides’ are responsible for a very large number of rides in shows in many areas.
I took a couple ‘elite’ shows (those with cdi classes and a lot of pros competing on more expensive horses) and compared them to ‘grass roots’ shows - smaller shows in dressage-strong areas, or shows with more owner/riders, non warmblood breeds in higher percentages, areas not traditionally dressage boom areas, etc. If the ‘all breed rides’ decreased in accordance with them seeing much less purpose or possibility at recognized shows, then I think that in some areas, show participation WOULD drop. One thing I’m sure of, even if a person DID manage to qualify to ride at third level, I seriously doubt any awards would be awarded for scores below the qualifying mark.
I felt that dressage would change markedly when the USEF stepped in. Basically what they’re doing is trying to make it as much as possible like their other divisions. Grass-root types compete in schooling shows and saddle club shows, and higher dollar and not-quite-elite to elite riders go in the recognized shows. None of the better heeled amateurs or professional riders will complain. And as the economy changes, gas prices, membership and class fees rise, they may be the only ones who can really afford recognized shows anyway.
and ah…when they say ‘education’, keep in mind that isn’t defined well enough to really be able to say when they AREN’T educating people. I think that’s basically another ‘bell and whistle’ type thing.
What would happen if open riders had to qualify, but amateurs were not required to qualify, but they could face being ‘removed’ from a level if 1-2-3 different judges at different shows feel they’re not cutting it, or their scores are below a minimum boundary? That doesn’t address what I think is their real goal, which is raising the average score for a level (not abusive rides, etc).
Another thing I think one can logically expect is that the regional qualification scores will have to also be raised again. I bet that’s going to be another effect of this qualification.
No one’s discussed that yet, but logically, that would have to happen as well. You can’t let people to go to regionals at 2nd level if they don’t hit that qualification level score, can you? Probably not. It makes no sense.
And we might also eventually see ‘drop dead scores’ at all levels where you can’t show unless you maintain a minimum. Eventually, that would, I think, eliminate people from showing at training, first, second level as well.
The philosophy in the past has always been, if you suck, you show and get a bad score, and if you get an average score, you just keep showing, you may get better, you may not. Oh well. You pays your money you gets your ticket.
Dressage for years has been a place where anyone could learn and grow with any horse. If I understand people correctly, THAT is what people are upset about - losing that.
Perhaps in some ways we always had a little too much freedom, and some people abused that.
But one thing I totally refuse to accept is that a ride from 55-62 percent is by definition an ‘abusive ride’ if you can (and I have) gotten scores like that for accurate, quiet tests (really, typical amateur tests) that just weren’t quite forward enough. That I just will never accept is an ‘abusive ride’. And that, to be honest, is what most amateurs in that range are doing.
