Understanding your ESNZ Membership Fees

1.      What is the advantage of registering my horse (ie, being "graded"?)

2.      What are the disadvantages of paying rider registration fees per event for non-graded and graded - Level 1 & Para?

3.      What are the disadvantages of using Flexi-starts?

The main advantage of being ‘graded’ is that all results are recorded by ESNZ. As a ‘graded’ combination you still have the choice of whether you pay a ‘per test’ (ie “flexi”) or a ‘per annum’ discipline start. The key decider here is simply whether you wish to compete at the National Championships (“Nationals”) or Horse of the Year (HOY) or want to be eligible for national series points recognition; ‘per test’ (ie “flexi”) is ineligible, ‘per annum’ is eligible. Please note that there are two types of graded rider membership – Introductory (Level 1 only) and Full (Level 2 & above and all Para levels).

(NB: There is a perception that graded classes are judged differently/harder however this is not the case.  It is perfectly conceivable to run graded and non-graded combinations in the same class, in front of the same judge(s).)

If you are not interested in the advantages of having your horses ‘graded’, as a rider the economic advantage of paying ‘per event’ vs ‘per annum’ is simply a matter of how many competitions you intend to enter ($16.30 x 3 events = $48.90 vs $16.30 x 4 events = $65.20 ie, more than the $54.30 per annum Introductory Fee).