RHR Gymkhana Racing, Inc
the ultimate in Gymkhana
and Gymkhana Match Racing
The most exciting game on  horseback

Program Changes for 2009/2010 Show Season

Bd. of Directors Meet
Your Board of Directors met on Sat. Aug 22, 2009.   At that meeting the Board reviewed and examined:
    1.    The organizations income and expenses for the prior year and anticipated expenses for the coming year. 
    2.    The current times required to achieve the various levels in relation to our data base which has expanded considerably since the last updated. 
    3.    The current "Start" policy
    4.    The criteria for receiving a Top 10 Buckle
    5.    The necessity to qualify for awards as horse/rider combinations
    6.    Clinics and the Ride Free Program  
Many of these discussions resulted in minor changes which will take effect for the 2009/2010 show year.   Programs that have been modified are set forth below.   The Bd. believes that these changes will result in an improved program that will benefit all of the riders.   

Rating Levels Change
Every few years we reexamine our rating chart in relation to our times actually achieved data base and as our data base gets larger and larger we are able to get more precise as to what the level cutoff times should be in order to conform to the agreed upon standards. We have not found it necessary to make a change in the level times for the past few years however upon review this year the Board decided it was time to update the chart. The new time chart can be reviewed here.  Suffice it to say that of the 96 level times, 22 have been made more difficult and 74 have been made easier.

Note:       For those who may not be familiar with the "level rating system", each time a rider completes that course correctly they are given a printout showing how long it took them to complete the course. That time is then compared to a chart which sets forth a time scale from Level 1 (fastest) to Level 5 (slowest). When a rider completes three or more good runs in an event they are assigned a Level Rating based on their levels achieved according to that time chart.

Start Program Expanded
    Issue:   Should the “Start” level depend on the “On Course” run.

Currently you can get a good “On Course” rating with no reliance on the “Start” or “Match Race” courses.  That is you can blow the Start and get no match race time but still get a good On Course time.   But currently to get a good Start time you must get a good On Course time which results in a good Match Race time.  Is this fair or should your "Start" rating be determined independent of your "On Course" rating?

After some discussion it was decided that the Start program should not be dependent on the On Course  program and that if someone gets a good start time but a no time in the On Course competition they still should get a good Start time.   It was noted that naturally a disqualification  from the event will result in a “No Time” for the Match Race, On Course & Start program.  

Note:   There is a difference between a no time and disqualification.  A no time indicated the rider did not complete the match race, on course or start requirements and the fact that you may get a no time in one aspect of the program does not necessarily mean you will get a no time in all programs.    A disqualification from the event (running out of your lane etc) however does result in your getting a no time for the start, on course and match race programs.  

Free Clinics
The Board of Directors decided to continue to encourage children 18 and under to attend our clinics free of charge.    Clinics have not as yet been scheduled for the coming year however one is anticipated in Campo during October and another is anticipated in Simi.  Other clinics will follow in the spring.    Subject matter for the clinics this year will again accommodate riders requests and needs.   Riders will be encouraged to submit their recommendation for upcoming clinics to the office or Orlando Alamillo, our education director.

Top 10 Program Update
Questions regarding the Top 10 rider program came up and it was noted that we had only 6 riders entered in the “Top Rider – Hall of Fame” competition this year, thus there were only 6 riders in the Top 10 program.    It was pointed out the Bd that it would have been possible for someone  to enter the program late in the year and walk through the courses for Level 5 times and end up one of our Top 10 riders.   Many believe that this would detract from the program and the other top riders.  In view of this the Bd. decided there must be some  minimum qualification that one must achieve as part of the criteria to get a top 10 buckle.

After considerable discussion it was decided that to be eligible to be recognized as one of the “Top 10” riders you must achieve at lease a Match Race rating of Level 3 Reserve.   We are in hopes that this will no dissuade anyone from entering the program and note that with the new times, many rides previously rated level 4 may now well be Level 3.  It is noted that you do not need to achieve the Level 3 Reserve rating to become an Event Champion.

No Other Changes Necessary
The Board decided that there were no other changes in the program necessary at this time.   When additional issues are raised, they will be considered.

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