New Rules for Qualification from Grade 2 to Grade 1 Effective 2003 Season

Q1. Why are there new rules?

A1. It has been noted that the quality, particularly of the Grade 1 set routines, falls shorts of elite in some age groups. This is especially true where a Grade 2 competitor has achieved the qualification to compete at Grade 1 in a lower age group. The change in complexity from Grade 2 Under 15 to Grade 1 Under 18 is considerable.

Q2. What do we hope to achieve?

A2. We hope to achieve a better standard of Grade 1 performance by asking a competitor to gain a validation score (23.5) on the relevant set routine (see A5 below) prior to moving to Grade 1.

Q3. Do I need to requalify as I already have a Grade 1 qualification score valid for 2003?

A3. Not unless you compete at Grade 2 in 2003. You will then have to comply with the new qualification rules.

Q4. How do I qualify for Grade 1 after January 1st 2003?

A4. You must

i) Have qualified for Grade 2 National Finals in your current age group.

ii) Achieve a validation score from the Grade 1 Validation panel in the relevant age group, see Q5 below.

Q5. What is the relevant age group routine for me?

A5.The relevant age group routine for the Validation panel is the one at which you wish to compete at Grade 1 e.g. if you are currently Under 15 but Under 18 next year you will need to compete with the Under 18 Grade 1 routine to move up to Grade 1 next year.

Q6. I have been downgraded from Grade 1, what do I do?

A6. You may compete for the Validation panel with the relevant set routine for 2003; see A5 above, at the October 2002 Grade 2. If you achieve the validation score from this panel you may compete at Grade 1 in 2003. If you fail to gain the score or do not compete in October you will be downgraded to Grade 2 and need to achieve qualification as per A4 above. If you decide to compete at Grade 2 again next year you may retain the validation score but will also need to qualify for Grade 2 National Finals in order to return to Grade 1.

Q7. How long will the Grade 1 validation score last?

A7. For Under 15's and below the validation score is valid for the age group for which it has been obtained. For Under and Over 18's the validation score is valid for the season in which it is obtained and the following year.

Q8. Can I still enter Grade 2 Nationals if I have qualified for Grade 1?

A8. Yes.

Q9. How do I gain the validation score for Grade 1?

A9. You need to enter the Grade 1 validation group at a Grade 2 competition.

Q10. Is there a Grade 1 validation group at every Grade 2?

A10. Yes

Q11. I have not qualified for National Finals and my age group does not compete/finish until late in the day. Can I still gain a validation score?

A11. Yes. The validation panel will sit during the day and you may be timetabled to compete the Grade 1 set before your Grade 2 competition. There should not be any cross jumping. You will only be eligible for Grade 1 when you have gained both the Grade 2 national finals score and the Grade 1 validation score. They do not need to be gained at the same competition.

Q12. HELP! I got the validation score for Grade 1 as above but did not qualify for Grade 2 National Finals that day.

A12. Do not worry; try again for the Grade 2 Nationals qualification within the season.

Q13. I have qualified for Grade 2 National Finals. Can I just compete in the validation group?

A13. Yes, see also Q14 to Q16.

Q14. How do I enter the validation competition?

A14. Use the same entry form as for the Grade 2 at which you wish to compete. Once you have filled in all the grade 2 competitors leave several lines and then below a label of Validation Panel list competitors name, current age group, if competing at the same grade 2, and validation age group (see A5). To help the organisers please mark the competitors name with an * if competing in both events. There will be a different tariff sheet for this group.

Q15. What is the closing date for entries for the validation competition?

A15. The same as for the Grade 2 competition at which you wish to compete before the validation panel. No late entries or substitutions will be accepted.

Q16. What will it cost?

A16. It will be free if you are also competing in the Grade 2 competition that day.

Otherwise it will cost £5 per entry, normal entry payment rules apply.

Q17. Will it be like a competition?

A17. Yes in that there will be 2 warm ups, a controlled and compete as normal but there will not be any placings or medals. There will be 2 rounds of set routines and you must gain a score of 23.5 on either of these routines to receive the validated tariff sheet as proof of your achievement, but see also A11.

Q18. How will it appear on the programme?

A18. The group(s) will be timetabled like other competitions. The age group jump order being decided by the remainder of the day's competition timetable. Every attempt will be made to avoid cross jumping.

Q19. Does the club need to offer extra officials for the validation panel?

A19 .Hopefully not, the validation panel will be part of the competition organisation as usual but if there are a lot of entries just for validation e.g. October we may need to ask for extra.