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