BATES EQUITATION COMPUTER LIST - AGING OF POINTS

Thank you for your continued support and interest!

Recently, someone asked about the aging of points for the Bates Equitation Computer List. Before I explain the system for aging points, I will talk about the purpose and the rules of the ranking for those who may not be familiar with it. The Bates Equitation Computer List was an idea developed by John Madden, equestrian trainer, chairman of the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament and husband of Olympian, Beezie Madden.

Initiated in May of 2003, the purpose of the ranking system is to give junior equitation riders, twenty-one and under, a chance to earn points on a national basis using a format that is similiar to the USET Computer list for Show Jumping riders. Points are accumulated each week from a maximum of three equitation classes entered by an individual rider. The classes included in the ranking are the USEF Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USET Talent Search, Tad Coffin WIHS Equitation-overall and other special classes approved by the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament Organizing Committee. A Class Value Factor uses a multiplier for the number of riders in a given equitation class and a Ranking Value uses a point value for each riders preceeding week's standing on the computer list.

All points accumulated by a rider retain their full value for 52 weeks. At the end of the 52nd week, the points for that week are eliminated and receive a point value of 0. If a rider is still eligible to participate in the junior equitation classes, then the rider can earn additional points for the new year. The only points that receive a value of 0 are for a given week, and an individual rider does not start at 0 every year.

For additonal information about the ranking, please log onto www.ryegate.com and/or www.batesequitationranking.com.

The Bates Equitation Computer List was started while I was still riding as a junior, so by going through my scrap books, (thanks, mom, for those great scrap books), I can share with you, who was ranked in the top five at year end from 2003-2007.

November 14, 2003, Bates Equitation Computer List rankings
1- Courtney McKay, 2- Brianne Goutal, 3- Sophie Coppedge, 4- Addison Phillips, and 5- Charlie Jayne

November 2004, Bates Equitation Computer List Year End Awards
1- Brianne Goutal, 2- Maria Schaub, 3- Sloane Coles, 4- Megan Young, and 5- Haylie Jayne

November 2005, Bates Equitation Computer List Year End Awards
1- Julie Welles, 2- Maria Schaub, 3- Sloane Coles, 4- Blythe Marano, and 5- Brianne Goutal

November 2006, Bates Equitation Computer List Year End Awards
1- Sloane Coles, 2- Maggie McAlary, 3- Maria Schaub, 4- Haylie Jayne, and 5- Hardin Towell

November 2007, Bates Equitation Computer List Year End Awards
1- Kmberly Mc Cormick, 2- Maria Schaub, 3- Jen Waxman, 4- Carolyn Curcio,and 5- Brittney Hurst

Good luck to all the junior equitation riders competing in 2008!

Catch up with me next week when I answer another one of your recent questions.
Talk to you later!
Maria Schaub

THE OLYMPIC SELECTION TRIALS

Watching the Olympic selection trials for the first time was an educational experience, to say the least! The series of five classes, with technical courses that included difficult combinations, was held over eleven days at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. From what I could see, many of the horses jumped their hearts out!

The process of selecting the Olympic team for 2008 is just that, a process. The trails are not the only part of it. First, the Olympic selection committee will decide who will be the ten horse/rider combinations; four of the ten can receive a discretionary spot or a bye on the team and the remaining six will be the top six finishers in the trails. Then the ten combinations will compete in Europe in two groups of five horse/rider combinations, after which the selection committee will recommend an Olympic team of four and one reserve, no later than July 15, 2008.

At the highest level of showjumping, the timing and preparation of the horse and rider athletes are a crucial part of ensuring their optimum performance. Before the event, a concerted effort by a team of knowledgeable professionals would assist the horse and rider athletes by using calculated trial and error type planning which increases the odds of success. Strength, endurance and skill training, nutritional essentials, timed interval training, and others, would all be part of the preparation. In other words, the expression, "the devil is in the details," would be a good way of explaining how complicated it could be to prepare the athletes for an event that requires that kind of endurance.

I was truly fortunate to witness such a special series of show jumping in America and appreciate the opportunity to observe the best athletes during high level competition.

Catch up with me next week for another blog about my experiences at the Winter Equestrian Festival!

Talk to you later!
Maria Schaub

WORKING AS A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL AT THE WINTER CIRCUIT IN WELLINGTON

Do you want to know what a young professional at the winter circuit in Wellington does each day? Today, I will try my best to tell you about my experiences thus far in Florida.

I have been very fortunate to show three hunters since I arrived in Florida in late December; the first, for a week in the pre-green division, the second, for a week in a schooling class, and the third horse, for the last several weeks, in the non-thoroughbred hunter class. Recently, I started showing a young jumper prospect who is coming seven in 2008, in the medium and high schooling jumper classes.
The rest of my time is spent riding and schooling horses for clients, helping at the ring during the show and during lessons, and trying to give feedback to clients about their riding when I think it will be helpful.

My new role as a young professional is challenging and meaningful to me and I am constantly learning more about horses, on the ground and while riding.
After the winter circuit ends, I will be working for Frank Madden Show Stable, which will be located at Hunter's Moon Farm in East Norwich, New York.

Catch up with me later this week for my thoughts about the Olympic selection trails held during the circuit!

Your continued support is greatly appreciated!
Talk to you later!
Maria Schaub