The all new and improved Interschool Equestrian Handbook is now available for the 2010 competition year under the "Handbook Section" on the left hand side of the page.  You will note that the handbook has been reorganised so that (we hope) the information you need is easy to find and easy to understand.   We have also tried to make the handbook a more useful document that you can print and use throughout the year.  At the front is a space for you to note important contact information of your regional committee members and/or discipline convenors.  There is also a calendar for you to note important dates so that you wont forget things.  There are also some important new sections in the handbook for you to note.  We have clarified our expectations of our riders for presentations at State and National Championships and also clearly outlined the consequences of non attendance (section 5.1.3), there is more detailed information about the selection process for National Championships (section 4.3), there is clarity about when you are required to ride at a particular level for each discipline (section 4.4) and then each discipline clearly describes their competition information, special rules or uniforms and the State Championship Qualification requirements.  At the end of the handbook is information about perpetual trophies, how champions are determined for each discipline and then the new points structure for disciplines that will be used this year in competitions.  There is an updated section about swabbing and how horses are selected (section 5.5) as well as more information about required codes of conduct (section 5), jumping assessments (section 3.5) and horse membership and rules (section 3.3).

Some other changes that you may find relevant:

·         The 2010 competition year is from the close of nominations for the 2009 State Championships until the close of nominations for the 2010 State Championships.  Results from State and National Championships cannot be used as qualifying results.  This timing will be consistent for every year from now on.

·         Whilst we strongly encourage riders to keep improving and to attempt higher or more difficult classes, we want to caution riders about riding up before they are ready in an attempt to secure higher team’s points.  Riders can compete at any level in any discipline, but once they achieve the State Qualifying requirements in that discipline at that level then they can no longer ride in lower levels of competition (see section 4.4.1).  So for example in dressage, if a rider achieves 3 results above 55% at a specific level, then they can no longer rider lower than that level on that horse.   Further, in an attempt to encourage realistic and safe levels of riding,  riders who fail to meet State Qualifying results in competitions, will be penalised 5 placings points (this applies to all disciplines except Showman and Show Horse).  So it is important that riders carefully consider their ability before attempting a higher level of competition. 

·         We have removed the penalties for small classes as it was determined that this was not under the control of the rider. 

·         Riders are also reminded that they must use their highest qualifications for nominations for the State Championships.

·         Note the year 12 rule for qualifying.  This states that for any year 12 rider, only 1 qualification is required for all disciplines as a recognition of the work and commitment needed in this year (see section 4.2.1).

Some clarification from the previous newsletter is required relation to State Championship Qualification criteria as a result of the new Handbook.

·         For Jumping only 2 jumping equitation result of 50% or better is required in addition to the jumping qualifications.

·         For Showman riders need to submit their 2 best results for an average score for Qualification (riders who achieve 2 results of 1^st – 6^th at a particular level cannot ride lower than that level)

·         For Dressage 3 results of 55% or better from 2 competitions at the required level are required

·         For Eventing 2 results with increasingly stringent criteria are required (no change from previous years)

·         For CT only 1 qualifyiing result is required (no change from previous years)

·         For Show Horse only 1 result for each class is required (no change from previous years)

        We hope that you find this information useful and that it assists you all in better understanding your sport and the expectations of you as competitors.  We welcome any comments/suggestions/ideas about the handbook as well as any notes of errors or typos etc.  We have tried very hard to get this right but we are sure we have missed a couple of things.