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California Riding Magazine • June, 2009 On Course with Zazou by Zazou Hoffman |
Quick! Convert the USEF’s jumping standard “Level 7” to inches and feet, then to meters. Clue: Level 7 = 4’6” in height or 1” more than 1.35m (4’5”). This is not an SAT practice question. This is the reason I did not show up on the National Prix de States Jumper list, in spite of being circuit champion in the Medium Junior Jumpers at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. At first I thought it was a clerical error and I notified USEF and USHJA. (A side note here: Now you have to e-mail four or five different individuals at two organizations instead of one because USEF and USHJA have separated, but still overlap. Grrr…) Anyway, the first response was that Prix de States mandates that the fences be 4’6” in order to count and the fences at WEF were 4’5” or 1.35m. OK, I was disappointed, but figured I could go in more jumper classes (more entry and nominating fees) in the spring and summer and perhaps qualify. But the more I thought about it the more unfair it seemed. My barn mate qualified last year at WEF by going in the same classes. Did they change the rules somewhere along the way? I went to Ryegate* and looked at horses that qualified for Devon. I’m on that list. Next, I went to Harrisburg (the Pennsylvania National Horse Show), where somehow I’m on there as qualified in the Junior Jumpers. I’m there along with 200 other riders, but I’m near the top. It turns out the horse show put the wrong link and incorrect information up. Totally confused, I waited a few weeks, meantime orchestrating an insane SAT tutoring schedule, along with the SAT, two SAT subject tests and four AP tests which I have to take in Saugerties, NY during a HITS show. It became clear to me that the added stress and expense of qualifying for Prix de States should be the least of my problems. So, I wrote a pleading letter to USHJA and USEF asking that they re-examine the situation; that it seems ridiculous that I should be excluded because of an inch, when the Classics at WEF are some of the most technical in the country and throwing in that I seemed to recall the prize list stating “levels” at WEF. Magic Word Voila, the magic word: levels. Sure enough, the WEF Classic is Level 7 (fences 4’6” in height). So I am gifted the missing inch. No one to blame here, really. If you are really interested refer to the USEF Rulebook, subchapter “JP-4 Levels of Difficulty” and “JP120 Levels.” The transition from feet and inches to meters is a protracted one and a reason to make sure you have a paper copy of the prize list. I had to e-mail WEF five times requesting one and even then it was only a phone call to the show publicist that got them to send it. But it is a reminder to be very aware of the qualifying criteria and to check your points often. Don’t assume that your trainer will do it for you. Speaking of trainers, it was awesome to watch my East Coast trainers, Missy Clark and John Brennan, coach Hillary Dobbs through the World Cup in Las Vegas. As the youngest competitor, Hillary made it to the final round and rode her 15.3hh Quincy B with grace and determination over every fence. It was truly inspiring! P.S.: I’ve been trying a pair of “intelligent” adjustable MDC stirrups that were generously sent to me by manufacturer Martin Cohen. Olympian Beezie Madden has endorsed them and I found them to be very useful when I twisted my ankle and needed to change the angle of my left stirrup as it healed. They are worth knowing about: www.mdccorporation.us/products/stirrups/index.html/ * Footnote: Ryegate.com is an organization that sells timing equipment and acts as a clearinghouse for Bates Equitation and Washington International qualifying points. I could not find a phone number or name to contact for corrections, just a generic e-mail address. As a West Coast rider, it behooves you to familiarize yourself with this site and check it often. In your contact with Ryegate, be aware that this company also provides the office staff at the Medal Finals.
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