Debate over showing rider rules
Amateurs and pros have been discussing whether the rider who qualifies a horse should be the one to ride in the final
SHOWING producers and amateurs have been debating rules over who can ride qualified horses and ponies in prestigious finals in response to a survey.
Following a letter published in H&H on 16 August questioning the fact any rider can compete qualified animals in finals such as the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), The Showing Register (TSR) created a poll.
The question, “Should the rider who qualifies an animal for HOYS/RIHS be the only person allowed to ride it at the final?” was published, with the aim of sending the results to the relevant showing societies for their consideration.
More than 900 people replied, with over 70% strongly agreeing or agreeing with the statement and over 20% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing.
Many agreed a rule to ensure the same rider competed an animal in both qualifier and final would give amateurs a more “level playing field”.
Others said such a rule would be seriously to the detriment of the livelihoods of some in the showing community. They also said, in many cases, personal circumstances such as work commitments prevent riders from attending certain shows.
Show horse supremo Robert Walker qualified four lightweight hunters for RIHS and two small hunters for HOYS.
He said: “My owners don’t buy
a nice horse for HOYS, they buy it to go showing. Such a rule, so I could only compete one in each class, would limit my horses and could seriously affect my business.
“I personally don’t take outside rides but this could become more of an issue in the native job, as breeders, many of whom own and show stallions, would be limited to one rider throughout the season which could be restricting. People also need to remember that it’s the horse being judged, not the rider.”
Teacher Hannah Parr had two Welsh section Bs in the Royal Welsh HOYS qualifier. She rode her novice, but her amateur friend Eiry Bonner rode her stallion Moelview Prince Charming to win, and take the ticket.
“I couldn’t ride both so I asked my friend to take the reins on one,” said Hannah. “Should this rule come in, I wouldn’t be able to ride my own pony at the final, which I feel would be grossly unfair.
“While I understand there are questions on having a ‘big name’ sit on a pony to get that golden ticket, there are too many variations of the rule to make it possible to monitor it fairly.”
Showing Council chairman David Ingle said the topic will be discussed at the next council meeting, adding: “We always listen to what members want.
“The amateur and professional debate is not a new subject, but a very relevant one, as is discussion on competitors judging and riding in the same season.”