Maryland Regional Newsletter - December 2005

News from USPC

At the Joint Council meeting, the Instructional Council addressed the concerns brought forth by several RSs regarding turning the C-3 test into a National rating in 2006.  There are several reasons for making the change this year.

Specialty ratings are scheduled to begin in 2007, provided the BOG passes the proposal in November. As you know from various email and digest postings, the ratings would remain the same from D1-C2. Then the unmounted work from the C-3 and from the B tests is combined into the HB. When the HB is passed, candidates are then able to begin the split into specialty ratings. There will be a traditional C3 (the current rating), a dressage C-3 and Show Jumping C-3 offered. The successful candidate may then take the next riding level tests, the traditional B, Dressage B or Show Jumping B.  C-3s will still have the option of taking the alternate route and testing for the H-A.

After passing one of the B ratings, candidates may then take the H-A. Upon passing that, the candidate may then take either the traditional A, the Dressage A or the Show Jumping A.

The shift in turning the C-3 from a regional to a national rating and being administered as the current B,H/H-A and A exams are now done, has enormous impact on the committees involved, the National Office staff, the regions and the candidates. The change in going from our current rating and testing system to the specialty ratings will be equally, if not more enormous. Many regions haven't always given the needed C-3 data to the National Office for statistical use.

It is very difficult to be able to plan the time frame needed, the number of weekends, and human resources needed without that data. Changing the C-3 from a regional exam to a national exam in the year prior to the specialty ratings becoming effective will allow us to process the information needed and to bring the committees and the office staff up to speed with processing the effects of greater numbers of candidates. It would be far better to work those kinks out with a familiar format (the current C-3) before having to address the issues involved with such an important and fundamental change in the USPC rating system.

The recurring themes of concern from RSs involved the fee amount and the timing of the applications, as well as a few RSs who felt that this change came out of nowhere. Nancy Grout, C-3 Program Committee Chair, has addressed the issue of the C-3 becoming a national level testing with the RSs at the annual meeting for the last 3 years. She has asked for input, opinions and suggestions and the feedback that she has received was factored into this decision and its
implementation.

As for the application fee, after some discussion, it was decided that the fee will be lowered to $175.00 for the C-3 in 2006.  We know this is higher than some regions pay, but it's also much lower than other regions pay. We needed to look at this from a national average since the test is to be administered nationally. We hear your concerns about the costs, but we are also taking a chance that those tests will not being self-supporting, especially in these uncertain times of energy costs.

We know that the nature of testings and candidates committing to those dates is difficult far in advance of a testing, which is why a second deadline was added for those tests that fall in the second half of the year.
National test candidates must commit by one date - April 15.  There are two dates offered for the C-3 as a national test in the year 2006, they are January 1st and June 1st.  There are late application deadlines offered of January 15 and June 15, but the $100.00 late fee applies in those cases.

Thank you for all of your thoughtful comments and feedback and thank you in advance for your support in this important step into the future.

Laurie Chapman-Bosco
VP of Instruction

Capital Region Polocrosse Rally
by D. Hill of Dela Brooke Pony Club

On November 6, 2006 the Capital Region hosted the Intermediate and Advance Horse divisions qualifying rally. I had the opportunity to represent Maryland at this rally and wanted to share some of the highlights of my day.

First of all, let me thank Mrs. Cranford and Mrs. Cook for giving me the support and the opportunity to play in the horse division.

There were 3 intermediate teams, 3 advance teams and 2 walk trot pony teams. It doesn't sound like much, but the day was full of Chukkas. I was paired with two boys from Senca pony club who were playing in their first polocrosse rally. Nick with Chicks and another team from Senca were our competition. Both had experienced players on their teams. I am proud to say that even though I practiced with my team only one time and then rallied with them, we held our ground and finished in 2^nd place for the day. We won a couple of chukkas, tied one and lost one.

It was a lot of fun and a great group of people to rally with. I had a great time and was proud to represent this region in the horse division. PLAY POLOCROSSE!!! Dylan Hill, De La Brooke Pony Club.

Maryland Region Annual Meeting Minutes

Horse Management Changes in the Maryland Region

USPC Annual Meeting - Kansas City, MO