IEA classes can also be combined if there aren't enough entries to permit a stand alone class. This happens every now and then at some of the smaller shows.
Today's blog discusses the IEA's class split guidelines for larger shows and class combining guidelines for smaller shows.
As usual, our discussion will follow the rule book. Quotes from the IEA rule book are in bold text.
A minimum of three (3) IEA Teams must compete in an official Regular IEA point show for team points to count towards qualifying for Regional, Zone and National Finals.
A high school show needs three high school teams.
A middle school show needs three middle school teams.
A combined high and middle school show needs three high school and three middle school teams.
In order for a show to count, a host must offer either (a) all classes in the Futures divisions and/or (b) all classes in the Varsity/Junior Varsity divisions as provided in these Rules.
A high school show must offer all high school classes (Varsity/Jr Varsity).
A middle school show must offer all middle school classes (Futures).
A high school and middle school combined show must offer all classes, high school and middle school (Varsity/Jr Varsity/Futures).
For example, a high school show could not only offer the 2'6" and 2' divisions and not offer cross rails and beginner.
In order for a class to count towards accumulated points, there must be a minimum of three (3) riders in each class. If there are less than three (3) riders in a class, the riders should be placed in another class of the same level. The class could also be run at discretion of the EHC* but points will not be counted. (*EHC = Event Host Coordinator, which is just another word for the host team)
This is where it gets a little tricky. If there are less than three entries in a class, in order for those riders to receive points, the middle school class must be combined with its corresponding high school class, or vice versa.
Here is how the classes are combined if there are less than three riders in a class:
Hunt Seat:
Varsity Intermediate Fences 2' and Future Intermediate Fences 2'
Varsity Intermediate Flat and Future Intermediate Flat
Jr Varsity Novice Fences Crossrails and Future Novice Fences Crossrails
Jr Varsity Novice Flat and Future Novice Flat
Jr Varsity Beginner Flat and Future Beginner Flat
Western:
Varsity Intermediate Reining and Future Intermediate Reining
Varsity Intermediate Horsemanship and Future Intermediate Horsemanship
Jr Varsity Novice Horsemanship and Future Novice Horsemanship
Jr Varsity Beginner Horsemanship and Future Beginner Horsemanship
It is most often the middle school classes that don't have the minimum number of entries, and thus have to be combined with high school.
For example, a show may have seven entries in Varsity Intermediate Fences, but only two entries in Future Intermediate Fences, in which case the two classes would be combined into one class of nine riders; seven high school riders and two middle school riders competing together.
Each rider in the class receives individual points based on her placing, regardless of how the class is combined. For example, a middle school rider competing in a combined high school/middle school class would receive points in her middle school division.
The same is true for point riders. The middle school teams would receive points in the corresponding middle school class and the high school teams would receive points in the corresponding high school class.
Also, it is important to note, a show host can choose to run a class with only one or two riders, but that class would not count for individual or team points. I've never had this happen at a show I've stewarded.
Hunt Seat flat classes and Western horsemanship classes classes MUST be split at twelve (12) riders. Over Fences and Reining classes MAY be split at twelve (12) riders.
Classes that run as a group (flat and horsemanship) must be split at 12 riders. Classes where riders compete individually (fences and reining) may be split at 12, but they don't have to be split at all no matter how many entries there are. This decision is made by the EHC.
The EHC will run, award ribbons, and issue points separately for each of the split classes, as though the class was not split.
For example, if Varsity Intermediate Flat is split into two sections (section A and section B), each section will be awarded ribbons first through sixth place and riders who place first through sixth will get individual points for that placing.
However, each team only gets one point rider per class, regardless of how many splits the class has. For example, if Varsity Intermediate Flat class is split into two sections (section A and section B) each coach only gets one point rider for the entire Varsity Intermediate Flat class. The point rider can be in the A or B section.
This means that you can have two teams who earn 7 team points in a class that has two sections. For example, Hillmar Farm's point rider may win section A of Novice Flat and Oak Creek Farm's point rider may win section B of Novice Flat. Both teams would be awarded 7 team points for Novice Flat. You could also have two teams withe 5 points, two with 4 points, etc.
The assignment of riders to each split class shall be equitable; however, no one section can have fewer than six (6) riders in it for points and awards to be given.
If a class is split, each section must contain at least six riders. So a class of 12 could be split into two sections of six riders each: 6-6.
A class of 18 could be split into three sections: 6-6-6, or it could be split into two sections 9-9.
A class of 17 would be split 9-8. It could not be split three ways into 6-6-5 because you must have at least 6 riders per split.
This comes into play on the morning of a show when you have a class of 12 riders split 6-6 and a coach informs you that one of her riders has the flu and is unable to compete, which brings the total number down to 11 riders, which can't be split because you would have one class with only 5 riders.
If this happens, any team competing in the show may place a new rider in the sick rider's spot to keep the class split. If a replacement rider cannot be found, the class must run as one section with 11 riders.
A Question of Fairness
Some parents have asked why the IEA has these split/combine guidelines, particularly on days when a rider is ill and a class that is split 6-6 must be combined to an 11 rider class, or when a middle school class must be combined with a high school class.
In my opinion, the IEA has these guidelines to maintain a nationwide standard. It would be unfair for a rider in Georgia to compete in a class that is split 6-5 while at a show in Maryland the class is held in one section of 11 riders.
Amanda Garner is an Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), and Georgia Hunter Jumper Association (GHJA) steward, schooling show judge, head coach of the University of North Georgia IHSA Equestrian Team, and owner of Epiphany Farm, LLC in Dahlonega, Georgia. She is also the author of "A Parent's Guide to the Interscholastic Equestrian Association."
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Thanks! -- Amanda
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| photo credit Autumn Vetter |
Another tricky one is if you have to combine open and intermediate. For example, if you have one entry in open reining, four in varsity reining, and 1 in future reining. Those six riders then become one class. However, the points are adjusted for the intermediate riders as if the open rider never existed. For example, if the open rider won 2nd place, the 3rd place intermediate rider would also get 5 points, and 4th place 4 points, and so on.
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