Silver Spurs 2012 – a New Approach!

The Silver Spurs is a scheme, sponsored in recent years by Horse Sport Ireland and organised by Dressage Ireland, which aims to identify and develop talented young riders and encourage their progress by awarding training bursaries, giving direction and advice and providing a pathway to help them achieve an international standard in their chosen equestrian discipline.

Such is the popularity of the scheme that 2010 saw a 40% increase in entries, prompting the organisers to look at ways to continue to develop and improve the format. With such large entries, many of the children participating, unfortunately, do not proceed beyond the first qualifier round. In view of this, for 2012, the format of the “Qualifier Days” will be changing, to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of all riders and increased benefits for everyone, in terms of feedback and advice.

The Qualifier Days will be replaced by Assessment Days. All participants will have a 45 minute assessment lesson (with 3 riders per lesson) after which they will be graded and receive a feedback sheet and a participation certificate.

As for 2012, the Silver Spurs will be run with separate sections for Under 12s, pony riders, Juniors and Young Riders (Under 25). However, for 2012, the Under 25 section will undergo a significant change, as it will be amalgamated with the Open Under 25 class (which was the Spruce Lodge Bursary competition in 2012), with the combined class being brought into the Silver Spurs scheme.

The top 25% from each age group nationally will be invited to attend a day of competition, similar to the semi-final days run in 2009 and 2010. At this day, they will be judged using BYRDS rider assessment tests. The use of these tests will help level the playing field between those who have “flashy” horses and those who have inexperienced or less talented mounts, since these tests focus more on the effectiveness and correctness of the rider than on the talent of the horse.

Further information can be found at diy.dressageireland.ie