Changes to Regional Adult Amateur Competition or ... I Can Qualify for RAAC!

Don't panic.  No, I have not become a Dressage Queen.  I don't plan on dumping my have-fun-first motto.  But ... qualifying for the RAAC would sure be fun!  I am not sure I could, or would, go, but it's going to be fun to see if I can qualify!

Since USEF changed the tests, CDS has also made some changes in how riders can qualify for the RAAC.  Since I only have a vague idea of how riders qualified for RAAC last year, I am not 100% sure what is different, but I do know what is different for me this year.

The first difference is that scores from Introductory Tests now count.  At least now I can even attempt to qualify.  It won't be easy of course as only the scores earned from Test C count, and I'll need to earn 65% - TWICE.  And since my scores have been in the 58% - 63% range, qualifying at Intro won't be easy.  Qualifying opened September 6, 2010 and will close somewhere in that date range in 2011, and since scores have to be earned at CDS rated shows, I'll only have four shows in which to earn those scores.

It turns out that qualifying for the RAAC might be easier at Training Level.  Scores from ANY of the three tests count, even Training Test 1.  Again, I'd need two scores, but they only have to be a 60%.

And then there's one more part to all of this.  You see, when I started organizing and paying for the 2011 memberships, I went ahead and clicked "yes" when asked if I wanted to pay the fee for RAAC.  I didn't realize that you can earn your scores FIRST and then pay the fee AFTER.  Well shoot!  If I had known that, I would never have paid the $25.  Who would?

So I guess the real reason I want to qualify is to justify giving CDS my 25 bucks!