At the beginning of 2008 a change occurred in the current show jumping graded system used in graded shows, held by regional bodies and monitored by Sanef. Since the change has been implemented, confusion seems to have taken over.

The basic change entails that the show jumping grades will no longer be referred to by letters, but rather by height. Originally a graded class that had adult riders jumping 1,1 m was referred to as Adult D grade. It will now be known as the 1,1m competition, accumulator, etc. It seems like a simple change and many have welcomed it. Riders that have just taken up show jumping or that are uneducated in the discipline, tend to find the old letter system rather confusing.

The first issue that the riding community bought up with this change, was the issue of ponies and children now competing with horses and adults. If classes were referred to only by height, would that not mean that a 1 m class would incorporate the previous Adult E grade, Junior D grade and Children’s C grade?

Immediately there was an outcry: How would horses and ponies be able to compete on equal footing? Issues concerning striding, the ability of a pony to turn quicker than a horse and various other issues arose.

Originally classes were split into children, juniors and adults. Many adults and juniors had ponies competing against horses and these issues were dealt with. But more importantly, age restrictions and height restrictions are still implemented, albeit with a host of their own questions and issues.
These groupings are now split into Pony Rider, Junior, Young Rider and Adult. According to the definitions on the GHS website, Pony Riders are eligible to take part in Pony Rider competitions from birth until the end of the year in which they reach 15. These classes are restricted to Pony Riders and Juniors riding ponies measuring 1,5 m and under.

Juniors are eligible to take part in Junior competitions from birth until the end of the year in which they reach 18, provided that up to the end of the year during which they reach 11, they may only ride ponies measuring 1,5 m­ and under.

Adults are eligible to take part in Young Rider competitions from the beginning of the year in which they reach 16, until the end of the year in which they reach 21 provided that they are competing in Adults. Persons are classified as Adults and can take part in Adult competitions from the beginning of the year in which they reach 16.

Pony to horse

This basically means that children will no longer be required to ride ponies until they are 13 or 14 years of age. From 11 years old, they can ride horses and compete in the junior ranks. Most young children only start their competitive career in graded show jumping at about 10 or 11.
This change could mean that the pony breeding fraternity will suffer. And some parents not willing to go through the change from horse or pony, may end up buying their 11-year-old child a 17 hh horse that is unsuited, causing serious safety issues.

This classification could also be reinter­preted. Does it not mean that a 12-year-old child could compete both in the Pony Rider classes and Junior classes if they had the ­luxury of having a pony and a horse?

Many other people do not see the need for the junior ranks at all any more. Technically a person competing as a Pony Rider, would no longer be classified as such at the end of the year during which they turn 15. The next year they will be turning 16 and qualify to compete in the adult ranks.
Juniors and adults both compete on horses – why not do away with the junior classification all together? Then it could simply be a classification of Pony Riders and Adults. This is particularly relevant in show jumping, where the heights are much the same for both adults and juniors.

Occasional combinations

Originally adults and juniors did not jump on the same day or at the same show, unless the venue could handle the capacity. Classes were occasionally combined if the show had only a small number of competitors in each grade, with jumps being raised accordingly.
Often show holding bodies with one arena, would have juniors on one day and adults the next, or would just host adult or junior shows. Now, by combining juniors and adults, a show holding body can take their 40 adult riders and 40 junior riders to make a class of 80. This could mean a greater income.

But does this mean a reduction in the cost of entry fees? Or possibly an increase in the money given to judges and officials that give up their day to run these classes? And are occasional combinations fair? Surely a consistent, set rule should apply? Regional show jumping bodies promote a graded system that allow everyone to be on the same playing field.

Many equestrians are starting to grumble that they feel this is eventually going to change. There is talk of the grading points system being changed so that, rather than obtaining a standard two points for a double clear, riders will receive points according to prizes. A double clear means no points unless you are in the line-up. Currently a 1st or 2nd obtain more points, but a double clear, prize or none, will still earn two points.
Other rumours include talk of riders being graded rather than horses. Then there are riders complaining that they feel that there is discrimination between top riders and the riders that are not at that level. At the same time higher graded riders are confused as to why many people are suggesting that with the change from letter system to height system, everyone should have gone back to zero points at the lowest level, as change should be complete.

The bottom line

The change that has occurred is simply a renaming of grades. Show jumping grades will now be referred to by the height one is jumping. There are small tweaks in the grading points needed to go up a grade and a change in the classifications surrounding younger equestrians.
The stories and rumours have been hearing just that. Could there be truth to what you are hearing? Well, if you are a registered member of your regional body with an interest and concern in show jumping, maybe it is time to attend the committee meetings and get involved. Simply visit or contact your regional body and Sanef.

Maybe the question that needs to be asked is why people are so confused? It could be argued that the regional show jumping bodies have not supplied the education and information to their members to help them understand the changes. Or maybe members are not keeping abreast of the latest issues and need to play a more active role in their respective bodies. However, pointing fingers is not going to answer the questions that have been mentioned above.

These questions were posed to the Gauteng Horse Society’s Grading Secretary and Show Jumping Secretary. SA Horseman contacted the Gauteng Show Jumping chairperson, Sue van der Merwe, who responded that the journalist should “please refer to the website as all the necessary information required concerning the new grading system is available online.” Thus the questions and concern regarding the changes remain, at the time of going to print, unanswered.