The rider is responsible for knowing the sanctioned rules to abide by while riding in competition. Here are some of the more important rules to know, but by no means is this list complete. You should read the entire rulebook concerning your sport so that you do not run into problems at the competition.

The Start Box

The rider exits the start box under the direction of the starter. This means that you must pay attention to the countdown and leave the box at the correct time. It is up to the discretion of the starter to determine if you had a “flying” start. In other words you must exit the box at a normal pace and not utilize the side gap to exit in too fast a pace.

The rider is allowed to have someone on the ground lead the horse into the box. Do not expect the starter to assist you if you are having difficulty entering. Always have someone on the ground from your team to help you. The helper must let go of the bridle prior to your exiting the box. Remember, the starter is almost always volunteer and does not always know all the rules, it is the responsibility of the competitor to know.

It is allowed to walk in and out of the box before the signal is given to commence. The rider may also chose not to enter the box until the last seconds. Since each horse reacts differently in the start box, it is important to plan a strategy to best suit your horse.

If you exit the start box prior to the signal to “GO!” your time will begin at the moment you cross the start line, marked by the flags at the open end of the start box. A five-second penalty will be added to your time. However, if you have speed faults, 5 seconds will be subtracted.

When you are Flagged down to Stop on Course–

Sometimes unpredictable situations occur while you are on course necessitating an official to flag you down to stop. Do not hesitate to pull over. Your time will be adjusted to the final time recorded. Many things may cause such a situation; a horse falls, a spectator is in the way, something must be removed from the track, etc… The Course Controller has requested you be stopped, so follow directions and ask questions later.

Elimination

If you chose to leave the course to retire, or are elimintated, then you must leave the course immediately at a walk or dismounted. There is a $100 fine payable to the Organizing Committee if you do not exit toute suite.

Some reasons for elimination:

Third disobedience (refusal, run-out or circle) at the same fence

Fifth disobedience on the entire course

Second rider fall on the course

Exceeding the posted time limit

Jumping without headgear or a secured helmut

Willful obstruction of an overtaking rider

Failure to follow the directions of the Jump Judge or any other official

Not stopping when signalled

Causing possible danger to another while overtaking a rider

Unauthorized assistance

Riding with improper saddlery

Forgetting a flagged obstacle or passage

An error of course not corrected

Jumping obstacles in the wrong number order

Retaking an obstacle aleady jumped or jumping an obstacle in the wrong direction, other than an obstacle with multiple elements.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 21st, 2006 at 6:32 pm and is filed under Cross Country. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.