Exercise rules at comps (specifally SEIC)

[heidi]

Am I correct in reading that you are not allowed to excerise your horse in any type of training aid eg market harboroughs, running reins at comps. What about on the off day - Friday??? see 1 below

And if I take a friend/helper with me they are not allowed to warm up/train horse but can hack around??!?? see 2 below

1. Exercise Areas
The following are compulsory: an English type saddle and any form of bridle, including double bridle, snaffle, gag or hackamores. Running martingales (with snaffle only), Irish martingales, bit guards, boots, bandages, fly shields, nose covers and saddle covers are permitted. Single direct side reins are permitted only while lunging (only with one lunge line) as are running reins and chambons. Other martingales, any other kind of gadget (such as bearing, side or balancing reins, etc.) and any form of blinkers, are forbidden, under penalty of disqualification.

2. A groom, while mounted, is not permitted to school the horse but only to hack it, exercise it or ride from one place to another. A groom may also work the horse in hand or on the lunge.

[cm]

I would suggest that the "day off" on Friday applies to the competition. Once you arrive at the comp (even if you came on Tuesday and competed Weds and Thurs) you are part of the competition. Treat riding on Friday as though it was a competition - and not have your friend/trainer work your horse other than hack on a long rein, or use any "illegal" equipment.

[vicki]

Once you arrive, you are at the competition. Friends/coaches can't work/ride your horse and gadgets are not allowed.

[heidi]

OK, what constitutes a groom? How come grooms can excercise them?

[vicki]

Heidi, A groom can exercise a horse, that means hack them out or lunge. At no time can they work them 'on the bit'.

When you enter you are asked 'Who is your groom?"
The questions are asked for a reason.

So a groom can walk/ trot the horse on a loose rein only! (hack out).
At CIC/CCI there are set times that horses can be worked and in certain areas...these areas and times are stewarded, if someone else rides your horse 'on the bit' or jumps it you will be eliminated.

Even at a CNC, you will be eliminated if someone else 'works' your horse. 2 people have been caught this year...and they are only the ones I know about!
A person other than the rider was seen practicing dressage on another persons horse.

[heidi]

Opps, I let a 11 year old American visitor poke around with me last year, on one of my horses, on the Friday.

Also, I know some people that are supposably coming to SEIC on Friday, to look at a pony for sale. Does that mean technically they can't/shouldn't ride it? No-one but the stated rider?!?!?

Also what happens when riders are changed at comps?? Maybe doesn't happen at most places as not back-to-back but could happen at SEIC.

[Sami Shoaib]

Talking of rules does this mean you cannot have a lesson within 3 days of an event where your instructor rides your horse?

2.1. During the three days before the start of the First Horse Inspection or the Dressage Test as applicable and for the entire duration of an International Event or National Event, it is forbidden under penalty of disqualification for anyone to school
a horse other than the athlete who will ride the horse in the competition.

[vicki]

What happens before horses arrive at the venue can't be known. But once at the venue (sometimes horses arrive 3 days before dressage at a 3DE) nobody can 'work' the horse.

A person can't ride a horse that is in the competition, just because they may buy it.

You can't just change riders at a competition, the rider that is entered must ride the horse!