PCANT Handbook
EDITION ONE 2006
Part 5: SADDLERY AND ACCESSORIES
Section
5.01 GEARCHECKING |
Section 5.01 GEARCHECKING
Horses and riders must be gearchecked at all rallies and Pony Club team competitions, including all phases of One Day Events.
It is not the responsibility of the Gear Inspector to eliminate any member but to ensure that safety and fit of equipment is upheld at all times. Saddle clearance and boots in stirrups may be checked whilst the rider is mounted. All else may be checked mounted or dismounted.
Any member or Official of the day must report any incorrectly equipped competitor during competition to the Chief Instructor or Coach of the day. Pony Clubs must ensure that their riders are correctly equipped for competition or risk elimination from the competition.
GEAR CHECKERS PLEASE NOTE:
Bearing in mind the safety of the rider and the legal liability, the gear checker should not under any circumstances, alter or adjust any gear or equipment. The gear checker should request that the competitor or their parent/guardian make the necessary adjustment and that they report back when these adjustments have been carried out.
See GEAR CHECK LIST (Appendix 19.03)
Section 5.02 GENERAL
Pony Club will accept exemption cards issued by Riding for the Disabled for use at EFA events.
Equipment that is not explicitly permitted under this section must not be used unless an exemption has been issued. If a rider has a genuine reason for requiring equipment different to what is permitted in the rulebook, permission may be sought from the Chief Instructor. ..
Equipment not usually permitted under pony club rules (for example, vaulting roller, stock whip) is permitted for use at rallies under the supervision of an appropriate person, when a rider is working towards certificates or achievement patches.
Section 5.03 SADDLES
The saddle must be correctly fitted for all Pony Club competitions, official functions and all rallies. Western saddles are not recommended for jumping. Stock saddles are permissible for trot poles and lower level jumps.
5.03.01 SADDLE BLANKET
The registered Pony Club saddle blanket is to be worn on top of any others. The saddle blanket must be bigger than the saddle so there are no pressure points, and must be pulled up into the gullet of the saddle before the girth is tightened.5.03.02 SADDLEPADS
Foam risers are permitted. Gel pads are permitted. Correctly folded towels or blankets may be used as a temporary measure to improve the fit of a saddle enough to allow the rider to ride that day.5.03.03 GIRTHS / SURCINGLES / CRUPPERS / STUD GUARDS
All saddles must have a girth with two or three buckles, or one buckle and a surcingle. The girth must be firmly fitted. Adjustable single buckle girths are permitted, if used with a surcingle. Check stitching on the girth. Check girth for rotting and wear. Surcingles, cruppers and Stud Guards are permitted.5.03.04 STIRRUP LEATHERS
All stirrup leathers must be on the outside of the saddle flaps. Stirrups, or stirrup leathers must not be tied down to the girth or saddle flaps. Check stitching on the stirrup for rotting and wear.5.03.05 STIRRUP IRONS / CLOGS
Stirrup irons are to be complete. For example, safety stirrups, which require rubber bands, must be used with their correct rubber bands. Collapsible (hinged) stirrup irons are permitted but are not recommended. There must be at least 1 cm clearance between the boot and irons on both sides.
Clogs are permitted. It is essential that there be at least 1 cm clearance between the boot and clog on both sides and at least 2 cm at the top. Toe stoppers are classed as clogs.Section 5.04 MARTINGALES
A running martingale ("rings") may be used. When a running martingale is fitted, stoppers must be used on all reins and above the chest piece (unless the rings are attached to a stockman's breastplate). A running martingale may not be used in dressage, except in the warm-up area.
When the horse's head is carried in the correct position for that horse's level of education and the reins are held with contact, the rings should not be pulling down on the reins. When the bit becomes level with the horse's wither the martingale comes into effect.
Irish martingales are permitted provided there are stoppers on the reins.
Standing or fixed martingales are not permitted.
Section 5.05 BREASTPLATES
Breastplates are permitted. Can be made of leather, PVC or elastic.
Section 5.06 BRIDLES
Bridles can be made of leather or PVC.
5.06.01 REINS
Reins shall be joined by either buckle or stitching and shall be of a minimum length of 180 cm and a maximum length of 270 cm.
GRASS REINS
Only correctly fitted grass reins are permitted in competition for riders less than ten years of age, and at rallies for any rider. Grass reins must be made from a non-wearing material, which can be cut with a knife.
SIDE REINS
Side reins may only be used for unmounted lunging under B certificate level. Permitted to be used for mounted lungeing with an experienced instructor.
5.06.02 NOSEBANDS
Dropped, crossover, hanoverian or cavesson nosebands may be used. Nosebands must be correctly fitted and not too low on the nose. A cavesson noseband must be used by itself.
5.06.03 BITS
Snaffle bits are strongly recommended.
Bitless bridles are not permitted. Refer to specific rules applied to each discipline for guidelines on bits.
5.06.04 NECK STRAPS
It is recommended that inexperienced riders for all rallies and events use a neck strap or monkey grip.
Section 5.07 WHIPS
6.7.1 GENERAL PURPOSE WHIP
Whips of not more than 75 cm overall length, including flap, may be used. Whips must have a leather flap at least 50mm long and 18mm wide.
6.7.2 DRESSAGE WHIP
Dressage whips may be used by
1. Riders who hold their "C" certificate or adults over 25yrs
Dressage whips must not exceed 1.20 m length including lash and must not be modified (i.e., flap removed).
Dressage whips are permitted for:
1. Flatwork at rallies
2. Dressage competition, which is not part of a one, two or three day event
3. Warm up for any dressage competition.
Section 5.08 BOOTS
Boots must have buckles or Velcro fastenings. Bellboots are permitted. Boots are not permitted for dressage (except in the warm-up area) or hack/rider classes. All boots must be taped for Cross Country and Eventing
Section 5.09 BANDAGES
Cloth bandages must be stitched with contrasting coloured thread and have padding underneath. Bandages are not permitted for dressage or showing classes, but are permitted in the warm up areas.
Section 5.10 BANNED EQUIPMENT
Exemptions will NOT be given for: Blinkers, Running or Draw Reins, Fixed Martingales, Bosals or Hackamores and Market Harboroughs