The objective of the Stal Tops Australian Young Rider Series is not simply competitive success, but the development of

well-rounded, professional athletes who understand

performance, responsibility and contribution to the sport.

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Participation in the Series reflects a commitment to both excellence in the arena and professional conduct beyond it.

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1. Eligibility & Participation Conditions

1.1 Rider Eligibility
All riders must meet the definition of a Young Rider in accordance with the current National Jumping Rules.

1.2 Event & Class Eligibility
Eligibility to compete in each individual Stal Tops Australian Young Rider Series class is determined by the rules of the host event.

Where a class is designated as a Final or requires prior qualification, only riders who have met those qualification requirements and are invited by the show organiser may compete.

Only riders eligible to compete in the host Young Rider class may participate in the Stal Tops Series component at that event.

1.3 Class Format

The Stal Tops Australian Young Rider Series consists of four individual classes held at selected premier jumping events throughout the year.

Each class is run as a stand-alone competition, conducted over two rounds (jump-off format).

Each class will award six placings for the Stal Tops Series, regardless of whether the host event awards more or fewer placings for the corresponding Young Rider class.

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2. Professional Participation Expectations  (Rider Give-Back Framework)

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Participation in the Stal Tops Australian Young Rider Series carries an expectation that riders contribute positively to the sport and represent the series professionally.

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Riders are expected to:

• Demonstrate professional gratitude, including:

• Sending a short thank-you message within 48 hours of competition

• Acknowledging prizemoney or prizes if placed

 

Represent the Series positively on social media, including:

• A minimum of one post per event competed

• Acknowledgement of Stal Tops via tagging and hashtags

• Sharing a moment or reflection from the class, regardless of placing

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Engage in Series initiatives, including:

• Attending designated webinars where applicable

• Providing a short rider biography and goals for website or promotional use

• These expectations are designed to prepare riders for the professional standards required at elite international stables and within owner, sponsor and media environments.

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3. Overall Series Scoring

3.1 Overall Leaderboard
An overall point score will be maintained across the four Stal Tops Australian Young Rider Series classes held during the year.

3.2 Horse & Rider Combinations

Riders may compete on more than one horse, subject to the rules of each individual show and class.

Points toward the overall leaderboard are allocated to specific horse and rider combinations, not to the rider alone.

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4. Allocation of Points

Points for the overall leaderboard will be allocated as follows:

Placing    Points
1st    11
2nd    9
3rd    8
4th    7
5th    6
6th    5
7th    4
8th    3
9th    2
10th    1

Only placings awarded within the Stal Tops Series (up to 10th place) will accrue points.

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5. Countback Rule

In the event of a tie on the final overall point score, placings will be determined by countback, as follows:

The combination with the greatest number of 1st place (11-point) finishes will be placed higher

If still tied, the countback will continue based on:

• Number of 2nd place (9-point) finishes

• Then 3rd place (8-point) finishes, and so on

• This process will continue until the tie is resolved