ACCEPTANCE OF RULES All Events run under the auspices of the M.F.H.A. Governing Body,
All events shall accept and be bound by these Rules.
All competitors at such events shall also accept and be bound by such Rules.
RIDERS RESPONSIBILITY
In the case of any Rule affecting riders or their horses, the rider shall be held responsible.
PROTECTION
All competitors must wear crash helmets to current recognised British Safety Standards. All competitors must also wear a body protector to current approved British Safety Standards. All those mounted at an event (including grooms and helpers) must wear a hard hat when mounted.
RIDERS AGE
No person shall ride until they have attained the age of sixteen in any Open, Intermediate or Novice Classes which are run against the clock. At the discretion of Organisers riders under that age may be permitted to compete in classes judged against the “bogey” time.
VETERINARY MATTERS
The decision of the course Vet to put a horse down on humane grounds must be accepted by all competitors. Any disposal costs must be met by the owner.
EXHAUSTED HORSES
A nominated Steward or Stewards, who must be mounted, shall be appointed to stop unfit or exhausted horses from continuing. Such an official or officials, who must be readily identifiable, shall be appointed at every event.
HORSE WELFARE
The whip should only be used for good reason, not excessively, in the right place and at the appropriate time. Spurs must not be used to reprimand a horse and a bit should never be used to abuse or reprimand a horse. Horses must be five years old or over.
ABUSE OF HORSES
Any act or series of actions, which in the opinion of the Stewards constitutes abuse of a horse shall be considered to be a breach of these rules and will incur elimination.
EXCHANGING HORSES
No rider may exchange horses once a team has started. No horse may start more than once in any class.
HORSE FALLS - ELIMINATION
When a horse falls during any class, it is immediately eliminated, and horse and rider may not continue on the course. A horse is considered to have fallen when at the same time its shoulder and quarters have touched either the ground or the obstacle and the ground, or when it is trapped in a fence in such a way that it is unable to proceed without assistance or is liable to injure itself. This does not prevent horses which stumble or refuse, thus unseating the rider, from being remounted to continue.
REFUSALS
The number of refusals shall not exceed three at any one fence, or five on the course per horse, when the competitor shall be eliminated and must leave the course at once. The Team will be disqualified for an abuse of these rules by any individual member.
UNAFFILIATED EVENTS
No rider may compete in the Team Chase Championship, who has taken part in an unaffiliated cross country team event during the current season. Events sanctioned by the Governing Body, the British Horse Society, the Riding Clubs and the Pony Club are exempt from this Rule.
No horse may compete more than once in any speed class or more than twice on the day.
Walking of the course :
The course can be walked at the following times :
Saturday 8th Sept - 1pm till 4pm
Sunday 9th Sept - 1pm till 4pm
Saturday 15th Sept 1pm till 5pm
Entry for the course walk will be off the Garthorpe to Wymondham road .
The main Racecourse gates will be locked
Any queries please contact the organiser
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Save for death or personal injury caused by the negligence of Organisers for which they are legally responsible, neither the Organisers of any event to which these Rules apply, nor any representative of these bodies accepts any liability for any accident, loss damage, injury or illness to horses, owners, riders, spectators, land, vehicles, contents or accessories or any other person whatever, whether caused by their negligence or in any other way.
START TIMES will be available on the Team Chase website www.teamchasing.co.uk on Friday 14th September.
Or available by telephoning : Vanessa on 01949 861140 or Caroline on 01664 823049 between 7pm and 9pm on Friday 14th September.
