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 Any treatment or disposal costs must be met by the owner. The decision of the course Vet to put a horse down on humane grounds must be accepted by all competitors.

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.

No refunds after close of entries unless replaced from “Wait List”.
Where a 100% refund less £5 will be given. The organisers reserve the right to ballot out entries if the entries per class are over subscribed.

IN CASE OF CANCELLATION IN UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, the organisers reserve the right to retain 25% of entry fee.