With the start of our Black Prong Driving Derby series on November 17th, we wanted to share our new system for series point calculations! Last year, competitors earned points toward the finals based on their top three scores. This process resulted in some confusion and so this year we are changing how points are earned and how the prize money is distributed to make the system fairer and to distribute checks to a greater number of competitors.
The new system:
We will be counting cumulative points throughout the whole season. Points for placings will depend on the number of entries in the class. For example, if there are three people in a class, then the first place will receive 4 points, second place will receive 2 points, and third place will receive 1 point. However, if there are 7 people in a class, first place will receive 8 points, second place will receive 6 points, third place 5 points, and so on (see the chart below for a complete breakdown). This system means that the more competitors there are, the greater your chances of earning points!
| # of Entries | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | 4th place | 5th place | 6th place | 7th place |
| 1 | 2 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 1 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
(Points for classes with more than 7 entries will be adjusted accordingly)
Competitors will be grouped depending on Division and Class. The Qualifier Competitions will consist of 2 rounds; the first round will be driven in order or go, the second round in reverse order of standing, and will be timed electronically. Competitors must complete a minimum of two derbies to qualify for the Finals.
Awards will be given for 1st-4th placing, but points will be accumulated through 7th place.
Athletes are eligible to accumulate points at each of the five Qualifier Competitions from November – March. At the end of Derby #5, all season points will be totaled and the top 3 Training and top 4 Preliminary athletes (those with the most cumulative points) in each class will be eligible to compete in the Final Derby Driving Competition, March 29, 2023. The Derby Finals competition will consist of 2 rounds; the first round driven in order or go, the second round in reverse order of standing. Electronic timing) Reserve Champion, and Third will be awarded at the finals for all divisions and classes.
Prize Money:
The starting prize money pool contributed by our sponsors is $2,100. When competitors enter a derby, they will contribute $25 to the prize money pool. The more competitors enter, the more you can win! All add-ons will be added to the Prize Money pool. Management reserves the right to add additional money to any division and/or class at any time prior to the Driving Derby Finals. In order to distribute money to more competitors, we are breaking the payment not only between the Training and Open divisions but between our divisions and classes. This will give our smaller equines a better chance at winning prize money, rather than putting the Training division VSEs in the same prize money category as the Training Division Horses, like last year. View the chart below for a comprehensive breakdown of the prize money distribution. We will not have our prize money total until after Derby #5.
The prize money pool will be allocated to 1st 2nd and 3rd placings as follows:
Training
- VSE & Small Pony- all classes 3.3% 2.0% 1.3%
- Pony – Pair/Multiple 3.3% 2.0% 1.3%
- Horse -Pair/Multiple 3.3% 2.0% 1.3%
- Pony – Single 5.0% 3.0% 2.0%
- Horse – Single 5.0% 3.0% 2.0%
Open
- VSE & Small Pony- all classes 5.0% 3.0% 2.0%
- Pony – Pair/Multiple 5.0% 3.0% 2.0%
- Horse – Pair/Multiple 5.0% 3.0% 2.0%
- Pony – Single 7.5% 4.5% 3.0%
- Horse – Single 7.5% 4.5% 3.0%
To register for the Black Prong Driving Derby series events, or any other Black Prong Driving Events, visit the ADS Omnibus page.