EGB Riding Rules

Note: Listing in Bold indicates a change for 2010

Order of Starting

The allocated start/vetting time will be sent to the rider with the ride information.   Combinations shall present ready to vet at the time allocated.  Failure to do so may result in elimination or mandatory downgrade to a lesser distance.

Note: The Ride Organiser will draw up the order of vetting.  If riders wish to ask for a certain vet time or to ride with particular companions, they should make the request when they send in their ride entry form.  Ride Organisers will try to be helpful but have no obligation to do so.  Late entries cannot expect to be accommodated in this way. 

Completion of Course

Combinations which fail to complete the entire course, following the route indicated on the master route map displayed at the venue, in the direction indicated and passing through all checkpoints in the correct order or which who miss out a checkpoint, arrive at a checkpoint, mandatory halt or the finish from any direction other than that indicated on the master route map, and do not correct their error, shall be penalised.

 

Elevator Rides

Some single or multi-day endurance rides in excess of 100km may run to different principles. 
Known as ‘Elevator rides’, specific points will be nominated at which, a rider may:

• if within the permitted time parameters, and
• following successful veterinary inspection including any compulsory re-check,

exercise an option to retire from the ride at that stage and be credited with the distance that has been successfully achieved.

Rider

Hats and Footwear

hats or crash helmets which conform to the standards PAS015, BSEN1384, EN1384 or ASTM/SEI  and shall be properly secured ;
footwear with at least ½ an inch of heel unless a stirrup cage is used to prevent the foot from being able to slip through the stirrup.
Note:  Wellington boots are not permitted in any circumstances

Rider Clothing

Jodhpurs, riding breeches with chaps and riding tights and suitable foul weather/high viz clothing are all permitted.

Note: It is recommended that riders wear shirts with sleeves and a collar.

Artificial Aids

Whips of a maximum length not exceeding 75cm are permitted, except:

·        Whips are not permitted in ERs from the last vet gate.

·        Whips are not permitted in FEI classes.

Spurs are not permitted in any circumstances.

Survival/First Aid Kit

It is recommended that riders carry a small First Aid Kit.

Note: As this may be mandatory at some rides, it is essential refer to individual schedules
The suggested contents are as follows:

• Triangular bandage
• Wound bandage
• Vet-wrap or equivalent
• Space blanket
• Glucose tablets or equivalent
• Whistle
• Baler twine
• Mobile phone or money for phone

Riders are recommended to carry a drink and appropriate warm and waterproof clothing.

Means of Identification

A rider shall wear a means of identification that is visibly attached to their person.

Note: The identification should also identify any special needs that may apply in an emergency.  A record of medical information may be left with the Ride Secretary in a sealed envelope, which should only be opened by an Official in the case of an emergency.

Riders must: -

• Be polite at all times.
• Give consideration to other riders and the general public.
• Comply with instructions given by the Ride Organiser or other Ride Officials.
• Be in control of their horse.
• Make sure crews are properly briefed on the general rules and on the route and Ride Organiser's specific instructions.

Change of Class

Riders may not change to a higher distance on the day of the ride.  However, they may downgrade to a lower distance before the start of the ride subject to informing the Ride Organiser and /or Ride Secretary no less than 30 minutes before the original allocated vet time.

Overtaking

Competitors wishing to overtake shall first obtain permission from the competitor in front and then overtake with due care and attention.  Any competitor who is about to be overtaken should quickly clear the way.  Willful obstruction of an overtaking competitor or inconsiderate and /or dangerous overtaking may be penalised by elimination.

Footpaths, Bridleways and Byways are all public highways where it is likely that you will meet other users.  Whether on a public highway or not, participants should meet other users in a safe manner, for example, making them aware of their presence and slowing to a walking pace while passing if unable to give them a wide berth.  While using any public highway, participants should comply with the Highway Code at all times.

Gates

Unless otherwise indicated, gates should be left as found, leaving a gate other than as originally found may incur penalty.

 

Horse.

Tack

Horses shall be ridden in a recognised form of bridle with or without a bit. Riding in a head collar, blinkers, draw-reins, Market Harborough or similar schooling aid is not permitted.  Any saddle may be used.  It is the rider’s responsibility to make sure their tack is safe and fits correctly. Numnahs, saddle blankets and girth guards are permitted.

The horse must be under control at all times. 

Any riders with horses that have special needs for tack that is excluded by the above should apply in writing to the Rides and Rules Committee via its Chairman for permission to use the tack

Tail Ribbons

Wearing tail ribbons is recommended in certain circumstances.

• Red indicates that a horse is nervous or bad tempered when other horses come too close to their hindquarters. 
• Green should be used if the horse is young and /or a novice.
• Blue is a useful indication to other riders that the horse is a stallion.

 Bridle Discs

All Stallions must wear bridle discs. (These will be supplied by EGB when the stallion is registered).

Additional discs can be purchased from the egb shop.

Shoeing

A horse may be ridden with shoes, in hoof-boots, other hoof-wear or barefoot.  If shod, the horse must be recently and correctly shod before the start of the ride.  Pads are allowed.

Leg Protection

Horses may wear leg protection including grease when competing in any ride. All leg protection must, however, be removed prior to any veterinary inspection.

Lesions (Injuries)

If animals are thought unfit to compete/continue after any veterinary inspection because they have saddle sores, girth galls, severe brushing injury or other lesion thought likely to be further aggravated by continuing to compete, or are generally in poor condition, the horse may be prevented from competing for 14 days or more.  The TS will mark the Mastercard accordingly.

Prohibited Substances

The purpose of this rule is to ensure that the normal performance of a horse during an EGB ride is not affected, either deliberately or unintentionally, by the influence of drugs or medications or any form of veterinary treatment.  It is a contravention of this rule if the analysis of a sample taken from a horse participating in a ride shows the presence in its tissues, body fluids, or excreta of a Prohibited Substance or a metabolite of such a substance or an isomer of the substance or an isomer of a metabolite. Specific groups of substances prohibited under this rule are listed in the current FEI Veterinary Regulations.

Maximum threshold levels have been set for substances that may innocuously be found in samples taken from horses.  Details of these may be found in the current FEI Veterinary Regulations.

The use of inhalation oxygen and the use of hypodermic injections, nasogastric intubation or rectal infusions for the administration of saline fluids, electrolytes, glucose etc. is forbidden during the ride. The administration of glucose and electrolyte solutions by voluntary consumption or by oral administration using a syringe is permitted.

Anti-ulcer oral treatment with ranitidine, cimetidine, and omeprazole is permitted. Treatment of mares for oestrus-related behavioral problems with altrenogest (Regumate) only is permitted provided a) the manufacturer’s recommended dose rate and duration of treatment are used, b) the horse’s logbook contains a signed letter on heade notepaper from the rider’s or owner’s vet confirming that the drug has been prescribed for oestrus-related behavioral problems only

Endurance GB reserves the right to carry out, at any time, random testing for Prohibited Substances in accordance with the standard sampling procedure of the current FEI Veterinary Regulations. A refusal to submit a horse for sampling will constitute a breach of this rule.

Permitted Treatment

Minor skin lesions may be treated using topical antibiotics only.  Such treatments should only be applied after a ride veterinary surgeon has inspected the lesion.

Note: Many topical (including herbal) preparations, some natural or herbal ‘calming’ feed supplements e.g. Valerian and some fly repellents e.g. lavender contain Prohibited Substances.

Competitors are warned that if in doubt veterinary advice should be sought. 

Emergency Treatment

If during a ride it is necessary to treat a horse or pony with a drug the permission of a ride veterinary surgeon must be sought.  He/she will investigate the reason for treatment and make a report to the TS/Ground Jury who shall decide whether the horse is to be allowed to continue or shall be eliminated.  Note that the ride is deemed to have started as the horse is presented for initial vetting prior to the start of the ride itself.

Dismounting.

During the ride, competitors may dismount and proceed on foot leading their horse, but must be mounted to pass through the start and finish of the ride.  Once on the course, no other person may lead or ride the horse.

Assistance.

It is permitted to assist a competitor and to attend to his/her horse (groom, feed, water, etc) before the start, after the finish and at compulsory halts or veterinary inspections.  During the ride it is permitted to help the rider to water and wash down the horse.  However, the rider will be eliminated if followed or accompanied on any part of the course, by any vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian or a horse that is not in the competition, except where any of this accompaniment is approved by the Technical Steward/Ground Jury, i.e. headed for a distance from the start by a vehicle, manned road-crossing and guidance in the dark.  A competitor may also be assisted to recover their horse, re-mount and retrieve their equipment after a fall, or any other incident that separates horse and rider involuntarily. The combination must resume the ride at the point at which they became separated.

Retirement on Course.

If a rider decides to retire on course they must inform the next Checkpoint and/or the Ride Organiser.  It is the competitor’s responsibility, and not that of the Ride Organiser, to arrange transport for the horse.  The horse must be certified fit to travel home by a ride veterinary surgeon. If the horse is lame this should be recorded on the vet sheet and Mastercard together with the reason for the retirement on course.

Elimination of Horse.

If a competitor is eliminated at a veterinary inspection then they may not re-mount and ride away, unless given specific permission by an official veterinary surgeon.  The horse must be certified fit to travel before they leave.  It is the competitor’s responsibility, and not that of the Ride Organiser, to arrange transport for themselves and their horse.

If the horse is eliminated from a longer distance ride (80km to 160km CR or ER) the point of fail will be recorded on their mastercard by the TS.  This should be done by noting the distance and the vet gate(where appropriate) at which the horse has failed.

Travelling Horses after Competition.

It is mandatory for horses to remain in the competition stables overnight at the end of any ride of more than 120km in one day or 180km over 2 days.

Assistance in the Event of an Accident.

In the event of an accident to a horse or rider, other riders must offer assistance.  Refusal to offer assistance may lead to elimination.  Those riders that stop and give assistance may claim an allowance for the time they stopped.   They should note the time at which they stopped and, once all required assistance has been given, should also note the time at which they restart.  They, or their crews, should report the facts and claim an allowance at the next reasonable opportunity, for instance at the next Checkpoint.  The TS shall, if necessary after making investigations to verify the facts as far as reasonably practicable, grant a dispensation in the form of an appropriate time allowance.  This rule shall apply to all Endurance GB classes and shall not be overridden.

Note: FEI rules do not have any provision for time allowances whatsoever.

 

Ride Rules and Procedures.

Entries.

Entries shall be made on the official entry form and shall enclose a large, ready to use (minimum A5) stamped, addressed envelope with adequate postage for the return of the ride details.

From 2010 some rides will be available to enter on-line.  A nominal charge will be made for the return of the ride details.

A separate entry form shall be used for each horse. 

Making an entry constitutes acceptance of the rules of Endurance GB. 

A Ride Organiser has the right to refuse any entry.

Late entries may be accepted at the sole discretion of the Ride Organiser at a surcharge of £5.00 per entry. Late entries as a result of the cancellation of another ride whose date is within 2 weeks of the ride being entered, are exempt from this surcharge.

Fax and email entries are not acceptable, as cheques or postal orders for the relevant entry fee must accompany a posted entry.

Note: Blank entry forms may be photocopied and new ones are available from the Endurance GB office or may be downloaded from the EGB Web-site (www.endurancegb.co.uk)

Fees.

All entry fees quoted by Ride Organisers shall show, where applicable, itemised fees for ride entries, stabling, corralling, camping, accommodation and any other obligatory charges.

All entries and entry fees shall be sent to the Ride Secretary or nominated person for the relevant ride, whose contact details will be shown in the Ride Programme.

Payment shall be made in full, in advance by credit card (on-line), cheque or postal order(posted entries) for any entry for any Endurance GB ride.

Note: On the first occasion of a dishonoured payment , the member may be charged an administration fee and will be contacted by the Endurance GB Finance Committee and given the opportunity to supply the necessary finances to cover the entry made.   If a similar occurrence occurs at a later date, the Member will be notified that his/her details are being forwarded to the Disciplinary Panel for disciplinary action.  Any subsequent difficulties in obtaining payment from the Member will result in the immediate suspension of his/her membership.

Withdrawals and Refunds.

100% of an Entry fee shall be refunded if the Ride Secretary, on or before the "close of entries" date, receives notice of withdrawal in writing or by telephone.

50% of an Entry fee shall be refunded if notice of withdrawal is received by the Ride Secretary after close of entries and prior to the allocated veterinary inspection time, subject to production of a supporting doctor’s certificate, vet’s certificate, or photocopy of the Mastercard showing that the horse has been eliminated on veterinary grounds at a ride not more than 16 days prior to the ride entered.

All requests for refunds shall be made in writing with SAE to the Ride Organiser within 10 days of the ride date.

Notes: Ride Organisers will endeavour to process refunds within 3 weeks of receiving the request.

Refunds for stabling, camping or corralling will depend upon the arrangements in the schedule of  the ride or the pre-ride information, irrespective of ride closing dates.

Ride Information.

 

Ride details such as vetting / start times, map, crew card, route description and other details will be dispatched after close of entries, usually 10 days before the event.

Special Ride Instructions.

Instructions that are particular to a specific ride, the contravention of which may lead to elimination, should be included in the ride information sent to competitors beforehand, and prominently displayed on the ride notice board.

Distances.

Ride distances will be quoted in kilometres and speeds will be quoted in kilometres per hour only.

Substitutions.

A rider or a horse (but not both) may be substituted up to half an hour before the allocated vet time of competition provided that the substitute rider or horse is eligible according to the conditions of the class, and the rules of Endurance GB.

Veterinary Sheets.

Details of Horse, Rider, Class and current lesions (where applicable) shall be completed on the Vet Sheet in ballpoint pen, clearly legible before the pre-ride vetting.

When an Open/Advanced horse is competing in a novice class this MUST be stated clearly at the top of the vet sheet prior to presenting for vetting.  Failure to do so may result in the horse being classified as Open/Advanced.

Pre-Ride Declaration.

A valid Horse Passport must be brought to the Ride and be available for inspection if required but will not normally be inspected or signed.

Current Membership Cards, and Endurance Horse Log Books must be presented to the Ride Secretary before the start of the ride.

Replacements for lost cards are available from the Endurance GB Office on payment of a fee.

Number Bibs.

Number bibs must be worn by the person in charge of the horse at all Veterinary/Farrier inspections and at all times by the rider when competing in the ride. 

Duplicate bibs or numbered armbands should be issued for the use of the member of the crew attending the horse in vet gates in ERs and FEI rides.

Competitors who are eliminated at the pre-ride vetting must surrender their number and may not hack out from the venue.  Failure to adhere to this rule will be referred to the Disciplinary Panel.

Crews.

All riders should have a crew.

Ride Organisers may, at their discretion, require a rider to have a crew for NCR/CR rides if one or more of the following apply:

• The route covers difficult terrain.
• Water is not available and cannot be made available on the route.
• The route is a complete circuit and does not return to the Venue during the Ride.

All riders must have a crew when competing in ERs

For rides up to 60km, only one crew vehicle per competitor is allowed. At rides of 61km or above the Ride Organiser may specify the number of crew vehicles permitted per competitor.

Where crew with transport is not available when it is necessary to remove the horse from the course, the horse may be transported, at the riders’s and/or the owner’s risk, by a third party, e.g. the Ride Organiser, Horse Ambulance or fellow competitor.

It is the competitor’s responsibility, and not that of the Ride Organiser to arrange transport for themselves and their horse.

Crews are the responsibility of their rider.  Failure by crews to observe the rules and instructions of a Ride Organiser, including crewing restrictions, may lead to elimination of the rider, and/or reporting the rider to the Disciplinary Panel.  Crews shall not:

• Obstruct roads, other riders, houses, gateways or the route.
• Obscure riders' vision of a Check Point location or markers.
• Race around the roads.
• Precede or follow their rider(s) on the route.
• Use a lorry for crewing.
• Leave any litter, which includes horse droppings from lorries and trailers.

Payment for Services.

Competitors on Endurance GB rides are responsible for costs incurred for any special attention from veterinary surgeons, farriers and use of a horse ambulance, etc. These services must be paid for on the day.

Objections.

Objections shall be submitted only by the owner, his or her authorised agent, or the rider of a horse taking part in the ride and shall be made in writing to the Ride Organiser, accompanied by a deposit of £20, on the day of the ride. The Ride Organiser will pass all objections to the TS or the Ground Jury, who will inform the objector in writing of the decision and the reasons for it.  The deposit shall be refunded if the TS or the Ground Jury upholds the objection.

Ground Jury.

All rides will have a Technical Steward (TS).  Major Rides and all ERs will have a Ground Jury - minimum of 3 persons, one of whom may be the TS.All members of a Ground Jury must have been fully paid up members of EGB for at least three full seasons except where a national ride is being used for qualification FEI purposes, in this case the Foreign Judge only (as required by the FEI), need not be a member of EGB but cannot in this case act as the President of the Ground Jury.  For FEI classes, the Ground Jury will be made up as per FEI Regulations.

Appeals.

Should an owner or rider wish to appeal against a decision of the TS or Ground Jury then he/she shall follow the procedure laid down in Endurance GB’s Disciplinary Code, Para 3.2 or FEI Regulations as appropriate.

Ride Rules.

A full copy of the Ride Rules for Endurance GB shall be available for inspection at Rides Venues.  Copies are available from the Endurance GB office.