Events Menu 2012
Berks and Bucks
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Cattistock
Fernie
Heythrop
Old Berks

Taunton Vale
VWH
Worcestershire
          RULES

  1. MFHA TEAM CHASE RULES APPLY, click here to view in full; some of these are mentioned below ALONG WITH BERKS & BUCKS DRAGHOUNDS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.

  2. Each team to consist of a maximum of FOUR HORSES AND RIDERS and at least three must complete the course to finish. Teams members are started together and the time of the third horse to finish, will be the finishing time for the team. In the event of a tie the fourth horse to finish will decide.

  3. The teams must JUMP every fence on their course and pass between all flags. REFUSALS will be penalised by time only, but a competitor who has more than three refusals at any one fence, or five in total, will be eliminated and must leave the course. The team will be disqualified for abuse of this rule by any individual member.

  4. When a HORSE FALLS during any class, it is immediately eliminated and 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.

  5. After two FALLS BY A RIDER, which are not horse falls, the competitor is immediately eliminated and must retire.

  6. Team members and officials are permitted to retrieve and return a loose horse to its rider; they may ASSIST A RIDER to re-mount at his request, as long as it is safe to do so and no injury has been sustained.

  7. Each team will be given an approximate STARTING TIME. Start times will be allocated in reverse order of receipt (ie. First to enter goes at end of class or given priority of position in Class as requested.) Any team missing its correct time may be fitted in at the end of the Class, if possible.

  8. Each team must report to the COLLECTING RING Steward ten minutes before their actual starting time.

  9. All teams will be given NUMBER CLOTHS. Team captains shall be responsible for the collection and the return of these. Competitors are asked to ride in the correct colour and to notify the Secretary of any team changes.

  10. Competitors may exercise their horses beforehand only in the area provided, which includes a PRACTICE jump.

  11. The ORGANISERS RESERVE THE RIGHTS to: Withhold or amend any prize or cancel any class because of insufficient entries; Alter the advertised times; Refuse any entry with or without stating reasons; Alter the course or leave out any obstacle before or during the competition; Eliminate any competitor not adhering to rules; Eliminate any horse they consider to be exhausted.

  12. In the event of a significant CHANGE OF A COURSE during a Class, the Organisers reserve the right to split the class into two sections to be judged independently, one prior to the course change, the other for competitors after the course change. Prizes and money will be reviewed and amalgamated.

  13. No refund of entry fees will be made in the event of POSTPONEMENT due to bad weather or any other unforeseen circumstances, but if CANCELLED, entry fees will be returned less an administration charge.

  14. All competitors must wear HEADGEAR and a BACK PROTECTOR to current British Safety Standards. Anyone mounted must wear a hat.

  15. The organisers do not accept LIABILITY for any accident, loss, damage or injury to horses, humans or property. All vehicles are parked on the grounds at their owners’ risk.

  16. It is a requirement that all participants carry THIRD PARTY INSURANCE for not less than £5m. It is also strongly recommended that all participants have Personal Accident Insurance (3rd Party Insurance is covered by Countryside Alliance Membership)

  17. DOGS must be on a lead at all times. CHILDREN must be kept under the control of a responsible adult. No unofficial CARS are allowed on the course under any circumstances.

  18. The COURSE will be open for inspection on Saturday 3rd March between 14.00 and 17.00 hours. Gates will be locked until 08.00 on Sunday 4th March. If you think you will be walking the course at a time other than this, please park your vehicle safely and visibly in the lay-by, near the horse box entrance.

  19. Each Team in classes A, C, D, E must add £5 their entry fee. This will be passed to the MFHA to supplement the ‘LEVY FUND’.

    CLASS B: INTER-HUNT (Pairs Relay): RULES*
    in addition to Rules 3 – 18 above

  20. Teams to be of 4 riders from the same Hunt (full or part subscribers or genuine hunting Pony Club member). If a team cannot find 4 eligible members to compete, dispensation will be given to form a ‘mixed’ team from two Hunts.

  21. Phase 1 (NOVICE course) riders to be 14yrs and over. Phase 2 (INTERMEDIATE / NOVICE course) riders to be 16 yrs and over. Dispensation for riders below these ages may be granted at the discretion of the Organisers. However, the entry must be accompanied by a certificate of competence and familiarity by a BHS qualified instructor, 7 days prior to the event, and is the sole responsibility of the parent or guardian in charge.

  22. Hunting or team dress to be worn.

  23. Each team must provide two “batons”, in the form of, either, OLYMPIC TORCH(S), or, DIAMOND SCEPTRE(S), or, one of each.

  24. 20 mins, before a team starts, its two Intermediate level (Phase 2) members will be directed to the halfway / handover point in the course.

  25. In the start area, the teams’ two “batons” are to be presented to a steward for ‘judging’.

  26. PHASE 1: The first two riders each carry their “batons” over the first half of the NOVICE (3’3”) Team Chase course, approx. 0.8 mile and 14 fences, (to include an additional knock-down fence each; 10 sec time penalty per knock-down).

    HANDOVER: In a designated area only, the “batons” must be handed over (not necessarily at the same time) to the second (Intermediate / Novice level) members of the team. 5 seconds penalty for handover outside the zone.

    PHASE 2: These riders carry, the “batons” over the second half of either, the INTERMEDIATE (3’6”) or, NOVICE (3’3”) Team Chase course to the finish , approx. 0.9 mile 18 fences; (to include a ‘Pen’, 20 seconds time penalty if 8 hooves not on the ground in the ‘Pen’ before first horse jumps out; 20 seconds time penalties for taking the NOVICE course Option.)

  27. Time will be taken as the second 2 “baton” is carried across the finish.

  28. “Batons” are to be re-presented at the finish.

  29. Team Chase rules apply with regards to jumping, refusals, horse and rider falls.

  30. If a rider is eliminated he must hand (by any means) his “baton” to his fellow team member to carry forward to either, the handover point, or to the finish. A rider is permitted to carry 2 “batons” in this circumstance.

  31. The “batons” must be carried over all jumps.

  32. A rider may not jump without a “baton”. If a “baton” is dropped, it must be recovered (outside assistance permitted) within two fences; no penalty point will be awarded and the fences must be re-jumped with the “baton”.