Grassroots Championship FAQs
What is the Grass Roots Championship?
The Grassroots Championship is a new initiative, aimed exclusively at our Grassroots members – those competing at EI80 to EI100.
Do I need to be a member to compete?
You don’t need to be a member of Eventing Ireland to compete, but you will need to create a free Web Only account, to which you can add your horse, so that you can make entries. Web Only members can compete at EI90 and EI100 on day tickets. No day tickets are required for web only members to compete at EI80. Of course, eligible members can compete as well!
How do I qualify?
You can qualify at any EI national event running an EI80, EI90 or EI100 class. You need to earn two MERs at your chosen level to qualify for the Final. Qualifications can be earned from all EI80 to EI100 classes EXCEPT Training classes. Results earned in EI80(T), EI90(T) and EI100(T) classes are NOT eligible.
The cut off for 2024 qualifications will be confirmed early in the season.
What’s an MER?
MER stands for Minimum Eligibility Requirement. To earn an MER you need to complete an event with a dressage of no more than 45 penalty points (minimum of 55% good marks), no more than 16 show jumping penalties and clear jumping cross country. You can easily check if you have achieved an MER by looking at your results on our website – there is an MER column beside the Event date. A ‘Y’ in this column means the result is an MER.
Am I eligible?
Any rider who has not completed two or more EI110s in the previous five years can enter – so if you did three EI110’s in 2017, or before, but haven’t competed at that level since, you’re eligible!
There are different criteria for each class:
To compete in the EI80 Grass Roots Championship class, a combination must not have earned more than two MERs at EI100 in the previous two years, or may not have earned more than three MERs at EI90 in the previous year.
For the EI90 Grass Roots Championship class, a combination must not have earned more than four MERs at EI100 level in the previous two years.
For the EI100 Grass Roots Championship class, a combination must not have earned more than seven MERs at EI100 in the previous season.
Is my horse/pony eligible?
Any horse or pony that has not earned two or more MERs at or above EI110 is eligible. A horse must be minimum 148cm and 4 years old, and a pony must be minimum 138cm and 5 years old.
Can an adult ride a pony?
Yes, an adult can ride a pony of 143cm or over.
What’s the minimum age for a rider?
Pony riders can compete from the year in which they turn 12. For a full breakdown of membership and class types, visit www.eventingireland.com/faq
Can I earn MERs from Training (T) classes?
The results of training classes are not kept on the system after the weekend, so you can’t use a result from a T class to qualify.
Can I use the same MERs for the Grass Roots Championship at the National Championships?
Yes, any MERs that are gained before the Grass Roots Championship can also be used towards qualifying for the National Championships in September. Remember, you will need to be a full member, with a fully registered horse, to compete in the National Championships!
Will there be Amateur classes at the Grass Roots Championships?
No, there will not be separate Amateur classes at the Grass Roots Championships – theoretically, everyone competing there will be an amateur! However, you can qualify through Amateur classes at national events, if you wish.
Is my tack legal?
The Grass Roots Championship – all qualifiers and the final – is run under regular Eventing Ireland rules. Our rulebook can be downloaded from www.eventingireland.com/2023-rule-book/
