Note: Listing in Bold indicates a change for 2012
Riding Rules
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.
Rider
Riders must wear:
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.
however Wellington boots are not permitted in any circumstances
Riders should wear
Jodhpurs, riding breeches or riding tights, with chaps, suitable foul weather clothing is permitted. Hi-Viz clothing is encouraged.
It is recommended that riders wear shirts with sleeves and a collar.
Artificial Aids
Whips of less than 76cms are allowed.
Whips (or other artificial aids) are not allowed in National ERs after the final vet gate.
Spurs are not permitted in any circumstances.
Survival/First Aid Kit
It is recommended that riders carry a small First Aid Kit and some rides may require a kit to be carried – please check the Ride Schedule
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(switched on) 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.
This should clearly 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.
A rider medical card may be downloaded here
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. Earlier notice is appreciated.
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. When a gate allowance is given it is compulsory.
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 suitable saddle may be used. Numnahs, saddle blankets and girth guards are permitted.
It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure that:
their tack is safe and fits correctly,
their horse is 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 mandatory for a stallion.
Bridle Discs
All Stallions must wear bridle discs. (These will be supplied by EGB when the stallion is registered).Additional discs may 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 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.
Mares are not allowed to compete after their fourth month of pregnancy or with a foal at foot. If it is subsequently confirmed that a mare competed under either of these conditions, she will be disqualified from all events to which these conditions applied and the Person Responsible will be referred to the Disciplinary Committee.
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 seen by an official veterinary surgeon prior to travelling home. 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.
Traveling Horses after Competition.
It is mandatory for horses to remain at the Venue 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.
Most rides may be entered 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 £8.00 per entry, which is mandatory, except for NCRs. 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. 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 here
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. Current table of fees
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 "Ride Closing Date" date, receives notice of withdrawal.
100% 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.
If a rider has entered using the online system then the withdrawal must be done using the online system, the amount will then be refunded on the credit/debit card used.
If a rider has entered by post then they must contact the Ride Secretary by email, phone, or in writing to request a refund.
All requests for refunds must be made 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 be made according to 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 7 - 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 indicated 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 proof of Membership, proof of Horse Registration and Endurance Horse Log Books must be presented to the Ride Secretary before the start of the ride.
Replacements for lost registration or membership cards are available from the Endurance GB Office or they may be downloaded.
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.
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 national 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 be over 18 and 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.
Crews.
It is recommended that 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 their own 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 horsebox for crewing.
Leave any litter, which includes horse droppings from lorries and trailers.
Organisers of all Endurance Rides over 100km are encouraged to present additional awards or rosettes to the crews of successful riders to recognise the importance of proficient crewing. These additional awards or rosettes may be given to limited placings or to all the crews of successful riders, at the discretion of the Ride Organiser.
Prize Money
Ride Organisers may, at their discretion, award prize money as well as or instead of, goods in kind.
Gate Allowance
Ride Organisers should declare the likely number of gates on the route that can not remain open for the duration of the ride or be opened and closed by a gate steward. If this number exceeds 5, then a gate allowance of one minute for each gate thereafter will be allowed. The riders will be informed of the Gate Allowance in the Ride Information sent to the competitors beforehand and/or prominently displayed on the ride notice board. It is the responsibility of the rider to check such information prior to the start. This allowance is compulsory.
Dogs
Dogs are only allowed at a ride venue at the Ride Organisers discretion and subject to being on a lead and under control at all times, including when accompanying crews on course. Dogs shall not be allowed to cause a nuisance to other competitors and horses, particularly where riders have early start times and may be disturbed by barking. Dogs shall not be left unattended in vehicles at the venue overnight or in vehicles during hot weather.
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.
