RCP2014#34 – Requirements for number of officials – under review

2014 RCP #
34
Summary
Requirements for number of officials
Date Received
01Jun13
Proponent
Erika Matulich
Change Date
Next Rulebook
Status
Closed for comments: 01Sep13
Recommended for Approval: 15Sep13
Activity
Initial Posting: 01Jun13

Current Wording – Article 906.1 – Judges, Appendix E, A, B

For ADS-recognized events there must be at least two judges who may be “r” or “R.” One judge for ATs (Appendix B) and DTs (Appendix A). See Article 120 (Combined Driving, Driven Dressage and Guest Judges) and Combined Driving Appendix E – Quick Reference Guide for CDEs. (See Article 947.)

Suggested Wording – Article 906.1 – Judges, Appendix E, A, B

For ADS-recognized events, the minimum number of officials depends on the event type (CDE, HDT, ADT), total number of competitors entered at the show, and levels offered (Training, Preliminary, Intermediate, or ADS-Advanced). See Appendix X (as proposed) for requirements.

Reason for change

Reason for change: By recognizing that needs for officials at competitions depend not only on the levels offered but also the number of competitors at a show, the new proposal addresses the following challenges that are presented by the present rules and improves the safety, flexibility, and offerings of ADS shows:

  • Show organizers are now financially able to offer shows with small numbers of competitors without the burden of extra required officials not needed for few competitors
  • Show organizers are now able to offer more divisions to encourage drivers to move up, but are not burdened financially if few competitors compete at that level (see especially the proposal for HDTs)
  • Single Judges are no longer burdened with extraordinary numbers of competitors at lower levels and now have some relief
  • Marathon day will no longer be short-handed when dressage-only officials only serve on dressage day. Dressage-only officials can be hired for just dressage day, and (in some cases) can also serve on marathon day.
  • In situations where licensed officials or competition-knowledgeable personnel are needed (for cones judging or marathon day), further flexibility is offered, allowing the use of any ADS/USEF/FEI carriage driving official, including additional TDs, pleasure driving officials, stewards, or course designers.
  • In cases where there are many competitors, TDs are relieved of cones judging duties so they can concentrate on competitor safety in stabling, warmup, dressage, cones, and address course issues.
  • As the number of competitors increase, so do the officials, but at a rate that should be financially feasible for show organizers.

See proposed Appendix here

8 Response(s)

  1. Ted Campbell says :

    August 6, 2013

    Not in favor of this proposed change. I think 2 judges should be required for prelim, Intermediate and Advanced dressage as is now the rule.

  2. keithy says :

    August 6, 2013

    I do not support this change.
    The primary reason for not supporting is the lack of coverage during the marathon this would create.
    The current rules require one judge to be at the End of E. Depending on how the event is laid out the judge at End of E can also take care of the Vet box. If the End of E and the Vet box are not in close proximity then there needs to be an official that can cover the vet box in case a problem arises.
    With majority of the events having the obstacles spread out and with only one person to cover all of the obstacle, this would make it very difficult to cover all of the obstacles, no matter how many competitors there are.

  3. Price says :

    August 13, 2013

    I agree with making a change so that small shows can make it. Hiring an additional judge is the only reason CCC HDT is not a CDE. And we have been able to offer Interm. HC in the past with only 1 judge and this year were told no. How do folks ever get to try Interm. without shows being able to offer it. We will be left with a few big events and nothing else if we aren’t more considerate of organizers.

  4. Iris says :

    August 13, 2013

    I do not support this for the reasons Keith has stated. Plus there is the safety issue of more officials eyes to catch a potentially bad situation before it escalates to a wreck. The answer to the problem is to encourage more people to become licensed officials so competitions aren’t forced to pay large travel expense bills. Lately travel expenses are higher than the officials’ fees.

  5. love2083 says :

    August 13, 2013

    I agree with Price.

  6. Laurel says :

    August 19, 2013

    I agree with Price.
    Thank you

  7. Zantke says :

    August 20, 2013

    I do not support this RCS for reasons as Keith stated above. In addition, creating a number of entries cut off for the number of officials required adds another burden as organizers cannot plan in advance, how many entries they get. Plus, it is not the number of entries which create the work for the officials on the marathon, but much more the lay out of the course plus the experience of the organizers, volunteers and competitors.
    hardy

  8. daves says :

    August 24, 2013

    Do not support this change as stated by Keith and Hardy.

Comments are closed.