Proposal 96: Revise 1C.7 Age Groups [ Revision 1 ]
Committee: Age GroupsSubmitted on 2025-07-20
Status: Passed on August 10, 2025
Background
On the one hand, the proposal is intended to introduce mandatory age groups that allow a meaningful sporting comparison of the participants regardless of the number of participants and that give the participants a certain degree of security as to which age group they will be ranked in. On the other hand, the additional age groups are intended to introduce further possible age groups that give the organizers sufficient freedom to adapt the age groups at their competition according to the specific conditions under certain standardization.
Proposal
Old rule:
1C.7 Age Groups
1C.7.1 Initial Age Groups
It is recommended that hosts publish ("offer") a set of initial age groups for each discipline before registration opens, based on the maximum expected number of riders and their age spectrum. When publishing, it must be made clear that these initial age groups are not necessarily final. Obviously, initial age groups must follow the event rules for each discipline.
1C.7.2 Combining Age Groups
Later in the registration period or after registration closes, final age groups will be created based on the initial age groups. This is done by combining initial age groups where needed, as follows:
In a competition with more than 50 riders, six riders are needed to complete an age group. In competitions with less than 50 riders, six in each age group are still highly recommended, however three riders are the minimum to complete an age group. Riders generally enter all events with their age group except for events similar to artistic competitions where there are Junior Expert and Expert categories.
The convention host must combine age groups with less than six riders (three riders for smaller conventions) if needed. This means that initial age groups are not guaranteed. The combining process can be done on a per-event (per-discipline) basis.
When combining, combine the smallest age group (that is, the age group with the smallest number of participants) with its smallest neighboring age group (either up or down). If more than one age group is the smallest, choose the age group with the smallest neighbor for combining. Continue this process until all resulting age groups (combined and/or original) have at least the minimum required/recommended number of participants. Male age groups and female age groups are never combined.
In exceptional cases it may be decided to split initial age groups.
The final (combined) age groups for all competitions must be published at the latest seven days before the first day of the convention. Once published, age groups will not change even if competitors drop their events.
New rule:
1C.7 Age Groups
1C.7.1 Mandatory Age Groups
1. For all events in which age groups are to be ranked, the organizer must offer at least the mandatory age groups. An exception is made for competitions that have a general restriction on the age of participants, which may mean that mandatory age groups are not included.
The mandatory age groups are U11 (0-10 years), U15 (11-14 years), U19 (15-18 years), U30 (19-29 years), U50 (30-49 years), U70 (50-69 years) and 70+ (70 years and older).
2. Mandatory age groups will persist regardless of the number of registered participants and can therefore be guaranteed for the participants.
1C.7.2 Additional age groups
1. The host may publish (“offer”) additional age groups for all events in which age groups are to be ranked before registration opens, based on the maximum expected number of riders and their age spectrum. These additional age groups must be subdivisions of the mandatory age groups, i.e. the boundaries of the additional age groups must not exceed those of the mandatory age groups. When publishing, it must be made clear that these additional age groups are not necessarily final and therefore cannot be taken as guaranteed.
2. A subdivision into maximum the following age groups is possible (including the mandatory age groups):
U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, U19, U21, U23, U25, U30, U35, U40, U45, U50, U55, U60, U65, U70, 70+
3. Additional age groups will be combined after the registration deadline on the basis of the registered participants within the mandatory age groups. In a competition with more than 50 riders, six riders are needed to complete an age group. In competitions with less than 50 riders, six in each age group are still highly recommended, however three riders are the minimum to complete an age group. Combining is done according to the following principle:
i) The convention host must combine additional age groups with less than six riders (three riders for smaller conventions) if needed. The combining process is to be done on a per-event (per-discipline) basis.
ii) When combining, combine the smallest age group (that is, the age group with the smallest number of participants) with its smallest neighboring age group either up or down). If more than one age group is the smallest, choose the age group with the smallest neighbor for combining. Continue this process until all resulting age groups (combined and/or original) have at least the minimum required/recommended number of participants. Male age groups and female age groups are never combined.
4. In exceptional cases it may be decided to split offered additional age groups after the registration deadline.
5. The final (combined) age groups for all competitions must be published at the latest seven days before the first day of the convention. Once published, age groups will not change even if competitors drop their events.
Body
Further information can be found in the corresponding discussion and in the corresponding discussion.
References
Discussion
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Votes on this proposal:
11 out of 15 voting members have voted.
Agree: 11, Disagree: 0, Abstain: 0.