PCANT Handbook
EDITION ONE 2006

Part 6: RIDING

Section 6.01 GENERAL
1. All riders must have a gear check before they join their class (see Section 5.01).
2. All riders must be supervised during their warm up by either a parent/guardian or nominated person.
4. The following maximum numbers for classes/class times are recommended, depending upon instructors available: The ideal class size is 8 riders.
5. Riders must ask permission from their instructor/coach to enter or leave a lesson which is in progress. Riders entering or leaving or moving between lessons must do so at the walk.
6. When leaving a class, riders should dismount at their instructor’s discretion, run their stirrups up and lead their horse.
7. Riders must walk their horses at all times while in parking areas.
8. Horses must not be tied to a float unless the float is attached to a vehicle. All horses should be tied to string or if this is not appropriate, the horse must be put in a yard.

Section 6.02 LED RIDERS POLICY
1. Lead line riders must be accompanied at all times
2. Where possible it is recommended that led riders are within an enclosed yard.
3. The lead rein should be attached to a well fitted headcollar or halter. The lead rein should be less than two metres in length.
4. The leader should be positioned at the shoulder so they are within reach of the rider. If the leader runs out in front of the pony and the rider starts to fall, the leader will not be able to reach them in time. The lead should be held in the hand furthest from the horse to ensure that the hand closest to the horse is free to catch the rider.
5. Where possible separate led and non-led riders into different classes.
6. Led riders should not be asked to canter.
7. The leader must wear appropriate boots, gloves are recommended.
8. Grass reins are permitted.

Section 6.03 ACCIDENT/INCIDENT PROTOCOL
1. Advise rider of concerns/dangers before they re-mount.
2. Advise rider to report any symptoms to instructor/other person at rally immediately.
3. Advise riders that they do not have to complete the lesson/rally if they feel ill.
4. Advise Guardian of fall and its dangers.
5. If a guardian is not present, notify president, committee members etc and phone guardian.
6. Advise First-Aid Officer
7. Note in Incident Report Book (even if the fall does not result in injury). Instructors to keep a duplicate copy
8. Attempt to arrange an alternative form of transport home if the rider has ridden to the rally.
9. All incidents, falls and accidents must be reported.

Section 6.04 JUMP GRADING PROCEDURE
Grading was instigated to encourage combinations to keep jumping - and they should not be too concerned about winning or losing. Internal Club events are not to be used for grading.
PCANT will maintain a list of current qualified Jump Graders. There must be a minimum of two (2) qualified Graders at any Jump Grading Day, with at least one of the Graders being from outside of the club they are grading. Exemption from this would be for Clubs in remote regions and an exemption must be approved by PCANT prior to the grading.
Parents may not grade their own children.
Each club is to apply for a Jump Grading Day through PCANT, or PCANT may hold an All Clubs grading day. Riders who cannot make their own club grading day may apply, with endorsement from their own club, to undertake grading at another club. All clubs are encouraged to hold at least one jump grading day per year.
Pony Club riders may compete in Open Showjumping competitions if they wish.

6.04.01 Grading Course
The showjumping course is built, starting at E grade. All riders wishing to be graded at this standard must complete the course, riding with control and without major difficulty.
The jumps should then be raised 7.5cm (3”) for a second round and then a further 7.5cm for the third round. Combinations completing this third round satisfactorily are graded E.
The same procedure is followed for all other grades. Courses set for grading should contain at least one double combination and a variety of straights and spread fences, with the greater proportion being spread and at least two changes of direction.

6.04.02 Maximum starting heights and widths for 1st round:

6.04.03 Assessment
A combination (horse and rider) is assessed by two (2) Jump Graders. No parent should be a member of any assessment panel when decisions are being made and the final determination on all grading will be the responsibility of the Jump Graders. Any combination, which the Jump Graders feels capable of progressing to the next grade, will be permitted to make the attempt.
The horse and rider combination must complete all 3 rounds of the given grade safely and with control to be graded at that level. The only exception is E grade, as this is the starting grade.
One grading day must be conducted for club riders each season.
A rider may be graded on more than one horse at a grading day
A horse may be graded with more than one rider at a grading day, at the Jump Graders’ discretion.
If a horse appears to be stressed or lame the Jump Graders may not allow further grading of that horse to continue.
Jump Grading Cards may only be issued on the day of grading by the Jump Graders. All grading documentation is to be forwarded to PCANT for collation.

6.04.04 Regrading of an Existing Combination
Upgrading is done according to the cumulative point score system as set out on PCANT showjump grading cards, or on an official grading day.
Riders must be warned to the dangers of upgrading, especially from B to A before the combination is ready. It must be remembered that there is no height limit in A Grade competitions; therefore the combination in A Grade must be confident of coping with the standard required.
All grading must be continually under review by the Chief Instructor. A horse/rider combination that continually fails, or experiences difficulty in a particular grade, should immediately have their grading reviewed. The Chief Instructor is to refer them to Jump Graders for re-assessment. Combinations may only advance or be downgraded by one grade at a time; however, if this grade is not satisfactory the process may be repeated.

Section 6.05 DISTANCE RIDES RULES and INFORMATION
All Pony club distance rides, including those for the "K" certificate, should be carried out under adequate supervision following the guidelines listed in this section.

6.05.01 Dress and Saddlery
Refer to PCANT General Rules.

6.05.02 Riders
1. Riders under 10 years of age must be accompanied by a adult rider at all times.
2. It is suggested that riders under 10 years of age compete in a ride no longer than 10 km.

6.05.03 Route
1. Ensure that there are Stewards placed at road crossings, especially for younger riders.
2. All riders should be given a visible numbers to wear for ease of identification.
3. Ensure that there are adequate drink points and water points for riders and horses along the route.
4. A map of the route should be given to all riders, and the route clearly signposted or marked out.
5. The route of the ride should be accessible to vehicles in the event of either rider or horse emergency.
6. Investigate the need for any permits by local authorities or land holders.
Cars have right of way at road crossings at all times. All riders are to take care when crossing roads. No trotting across roads only walking.

6.05.04 Pre Ride Check
Pre ride checks should be undertaken by a Vet or an experienced person nominated by the Organising Committee. These checks should be carried out the day prior to the ride.
1. Resting heart rates and temperatures.
An abnormal temperature could indicate the presence of a virus or other sickness and the horse concerned should not participate on the ride. Heart and respiratory rates should be taken prior to temperature or the trot out, as these two test make influence the results of the heart and respiratory rates.
2. Gait
A check must also be made for any lameness or abnormality that would indicate that the horse is unfit to participate in the ride.
As par as it is possible the horse’s normal gait should be determined at the pre-ride check. Any unusual features should be noted so that it is not later mistaken for lameness.

6.05.05 Check Points General
Procedures at check points are designed to establish which horses are fit to proceed and those which, if allowed to proceed, would become exhausted or lame.
At all rides of less than 80 km a Check Point must be established at a point as close as possible to 15 km after the start.
Maximum distance that horses are allowed to travel between veterinary inspections is 30 km. Any ride which is over 30 km from the first Check Point to the finish will require a second Check Point.
Where possible a qualified Veterinarian should undertake the inspection at the Check Points and the final inspection at the finish. If a qualified Veterinarian is not available then experienced persons may be appointed by the Organising Committee on advice from a Vet.
All measurements are to be recorded at the Check Points by the Steward as well as time rider comes in, time measurements are taken, time represented (if necessary), new measurements, time released or time disqualified.
All horses competing must go through the Check Point. A horse that has not been registered as going through will be eliminated.
At Check Points ensure that there is adequate water for washing and watering horses, this may be necessary if horses are stressed or show signs of dehydration. It is also advisable to have a shoeing kit, first aid kit (for horse and rider) and sponges.
If possible have a float and vehicle at the Check Point to transport horses if required.

6.05.06 Measurements
As the horse arrives at the check point it’s gait should be observed to establish if there are any signs of stress or lameness.
At the Check Point any horse arriving with a pulse rate of 55 bpm or under will be allowed to pass through without delay. Horses arriving with a pulse rate in excess of 55 bpm will be held for a period of 15 minutes when they may be represented to the Vet/Official, and if found to be sufficiently recovered may then continue.
Horses presented at 15 minutes and found to be still over 55 bpm at that time will be disqualified. Horses held at the Check Point will NOT have the time deducted from their riding time as this would destroy the incentive for riders to exercise judgement and care in bringing their horses into the Check Point at a condition that would allow them to continue without being held up.
Temperature readings may also be taken, however these are considered to be of less importance unless it is an extremely hot day. Abnormal temperature readings will generally confirm stress already indicated by the heart and respiration rate. Heart and respiratory rates must be taken over a full minute to ensure accuracy. If the reading is influenced by excitement or disturbance of the horse a further reading should be taken.

6.05.07 Disqualification at Check Point and Finish
A horse will be disqualified at the check point if:
1. The horse’s heart rate fails to recover in 30 minutes after arriving at the check point to a figure of, or below, 55 beats per minute (bpm) at the first check point and 60 bpm at the later check points and at the finish.
2. If the horse shows lameness or undue stress at the 30 minute check after the finish of the ride.
3. If a horses has a temperature reading in excess of 40 deg C (104.8 deg F) at any time, it will not be allowed to continue.
4. If in the opinion of the supervising veterinarian, or appointed official, any factor that indicates the horse could be harmed if it is allowed to continue in the ride. This could be indicated by poor recovery of respiration or heart rates, by lameness, stiffness, tying up, excessive dehydration, and serious lesions such as cuts, girth or saddle sores.
The examination of the horses gait in trot must be made 30 minutes after final check point. Horses should be led on a loose rein on a hard but smooth surface at both walk and trot. Signs of “tying up” are grounds for disqualification, as are abnormalities due to pain and lameness.

Back to Handbook Index >>