RIDERS PETITION REGARDING 2009 PARTICIPATION ELIGIBILITY IN HORSE TRIALS TABLE “Open Training: Minimum Competitor Age 12, Minimum Horse Age 4: Open to all competitors and horses (not necessarily as a combination) that have completed a minimum of 3 events at the pre-training level achieving a CAN Qualifying result in a minimum of 2 events.” We, the undersigned agree with the effort to make the sport of Eventing safe and that there might need to be certain criteria met before moving up the levels for other divisions. However, the open divisions, when used for the purpose of not allowing experienced and professional riders to compete with the regular divisions, should not be required to meet these qualifications for the following reasons: 1. Until the Equine Canada database can post the results of Pre-Training divisions there is no official way of tracking these results. 2. Passports are not required for these levels and horses frequently compete under different names. 3. There is a direct financial burden placed on the professional that is extremely qualified to know the level his/her horse is capable of competing. 4. There is no “special permissions” protocol in place. 5. In other countries this level does not exist and is not a mandatory level of competition for qualifying for a 3’3” or 1.0 meter level of competition. 6. In certain instances with horses of certain experience adhering to this chart could actually be dangerous. (For instance taking a 4’ or 1.20m jumper to a course of 93cm)