Saddlery and Equipment Rules

Contravention of the following rules in respect of dress, saddlery, etc. may incur elimination.

DRESS

1) Hats

i) It is mandatory for all Members to wear a protective helmet manufactured to one of the minimum standards listed in Appendix G. It must bear the CE mark and a quality symbol, either the BSI Kitemark, the SAI Global symbol or the official Snell label with number. The CE symbol on its own is not sufficient to ensure consistent standard of manufacture. The PAS 015:1998 and the Snell E2001 meet higher impact criteria and therefore give more protection. All Hats must be fitted with a Pony Club Tag. (see Appendix I)

ii) The Official Steward/Organiser may, at his discretion, eliminate a competitor riding without a hat or with the chin strap unfastened. (Rule 28).

iii) A competitor whose hat comes off, or chinstrap comes undone, whilst riding in the competition must, on penalty of elimination, replace it, or do it up, before continuing. He may dismount without penalty to recover the hat or have it passed up from the ground, or he may stop without penalty to do up the chinstrap. If the hat comes off, or the chinstrap comes undone in the middle of a multiple obstacle, or two separate obstacles so close together that in the opinion of the Fence Judge to halt would incur a refusal, the obstacle(s) may be negotiated first.

iv) Any circles which a competitor completes in the course of recovering the hat, or doing up the chinstrap shall NOT be penalised as refusals.

2) Spurs may be worn at Rallies and other events with the permission of the District Commissioner. Members without the B Test should carry proof of this permission. Only blunt spurs, without rowels or sharp edges, may be worn. If the spurs are curved, the curve must be downwards and the shank must point straight to the back and not exceed 3cm in length. Sharp spurs may not be worn.

3) Jewellery is not allowed. This Rule applies to all Pony Club mounted activities. For safety reasons, no jewellery (including “sleepers”) may be worn, other than a wedding ring, a wristwatch, a stock pin worn horizontally, or a tie clip. Branch and Centre Members who are contemplating piercing their ears or any other part of their body should be aware that they will not be allowed to participate in Pony Club mounted activities until such time as the “sleepers” can safely be removed. The reason for this is that sleepers have in the past caused injuries following falls. There are vulnerable blood vessels behind the ear and, in addition, if the facial nerve is pierced, partial paralysis of the face can occur.

4) Clothing: Shirts, ties and hacking jackets or cross-country sweaters should be worn and a stock is recommended. Long sleeves are compulsory for all cross country riding. Dark coloured breeches or jodhpurs may not be worn. Plain black or brown half-chaps without tassels, worn with standard riding or jodhpur boots of the same colour, are allowed. Standard Riding or Jodhpur Boots with a smooth, fairly thin sole, and a well defined square cut heel should be worn. No other footwear will be allowed. An effective body protector must be worn. It is strongly advised that the body protector chosen should impede neither flexibility nor balance. Medical Armbands are compulsory for all cross county phases at all levels.

While walking the course competitors must be tidily dressed, but not necessarily in riding clothes.

5) Hair. In the interest of safety, long hair should be secured appropriately

6) Electronic devices (i.e. headphones, mobile phones etc. enabling another person to communicate with the rider) are not allowed whilst the rider is competing.

WHIPS

No rider may carry, use or permit to be used a whip exceeding 76.2 cm (30") in length overall.

SADDLERY

1) Saddle: Only black or brown in colour are allowed. Type optional.

2) Saddle cloths: Plain saddle cloths, including 'Polypads' in black, brown, white, cream or dark blue. Saddle cloths in Branch colours with appropriate Branch logos are allowed when competing for a Branch. Logos must not exceed 200 sq. cms.

3) Bridles: For safety reasons leather bridles are recommended.

4) Bits:

i) Bits must be used in the manufactured condition and may not have any additional coverings to the mouthpiece.

ii) The following are not allowed / permitted:

Bitless Bridles / Hackamores / Mikmar type bits / Combination bits. (See illustration below)

iii) Thin bits - in the opinion of the Chief Steward and the Tack Officials, bits deemed to be excessively thin in the mouthpiece will not be accepted.

iv) Pelhams or curb bits of any kind may only be used with both bit and bridoon reins, or with a single rein attached to a leather ‘D’ joining the bit and bridoon rings.

v) Kimblewicks, if used, must have the reins attached to the main ‘D’ only.

vi) Gag snaffles, Continental and American Gags may be used, with a smooth, Cherry Roller or Waterford mouthpiece and may be used with one or two pairs of reins or leather ‘Ds’. The length of the shank, measured from top to bottom shall not exceed 19 cm (7.5”). There may be no curb attachments to these bits. Elevators (which have a fixed mouthpiece) are not permitted.

vii) All synthetic bits must be black, brown, or white.

5) Nosebands: The only nosebands permitted are Cavesson, Drop, Flash, Grackle (including Mexican), Combination or Kineton only one of which may be worn at the same time, except when used with a standing martingale when the addition of a cavesson is allowed. All nosebands must be correctly fitted and not cause discomfort.

6) Martingales: The only martingales permitted are Irish, Standing, Bib or Running, only one of which may be worn at the same time. Standing martingales may be attached only to the cavesson portion of the noseband fitted above the bit.

7) Blinkers or any attachment to the horse / pony or bridle, which may affect the animal’s field of vision are prohibited.

8) Sheepskin may be used on the bridle providing the sheepskin does not exceed 3cm in diameter measured from the animal’s face.

16) Any equipment not covered in these rules must be referred to Headquarters for prior approval.

9) Market Harboroughs, and running, draw or check reins of any kind are forbidden (A running, draw or check rein is one which is attached to the saddle, girth, martingale or breast plate on the horse). For safety reasons leather bridles are recommended.

10) Split reins are not allowed.

11) Bit guards: made entirely of rubber and smooth on both sides are permitted.

12) The use of string, twine or cord in or around the horse’s mouth is forbidden.

13) Stirrups: should be of the correct size to suit the rider’s boots and should 7mm (1/4” clearance on each side). Neither the feet nor the stirrup leathers or irons may be attached to the girth, nor the feet attached to the stirrup irons.

14) Competitors using Saddlery and Gadgets on the day of the Riding phase which are not allowed in the competition will be eliminated. Lungeing in side reins, but not bearing, check or balancing reins, is permitted. Side reins must be attached under the saddle flaps and NOT passed between the forelegs.

15) Stallions can be ridden by Members only if they obtain written permission from their District commissioner and must wear identifying discs on their bridle in the interests of safety.

16) The Official Steward has absolute discretion to forbid the use of any bit, gadget or spur which he considers to be cruel or misused.