Club rules

Indoor driving

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Click here for proposed updated self-contained indoor rules November 2007.

Indoor Horse Driving Trials Rules:
(March 2007)

The current British Horse Driving Trials Association, National HDT rules apply for Indoor Horse Driving Trials with the following exceptions:

1. To be held in an arena not less than 50 x 20 metres.

1.1 The control of an event rests with the Event Manager, who undertakes the duties of both Technical Delegate and President of the Jury.

2. The competition will consist of three phases as follows:

Phase 1 - Precision & Paces

2.1 The arena will be restricted to 50 x 20 metres and the markers will be equally spaced apart

2.2 Only approved IHDT Tests shall be used.

2.3 All judges scores will be indicated to, and recorded by, the scorer at the end of each movement.

2.4 Two judges are used, one judge assesses and marks the paces, which will count for 60% of the score. While the other assesses and marks the precision of the movements executed, these scores contributing the other 40% toward the total.

2.5 Errors of course or instances of rule breaking will be indicated, recorded and reported to the scorer by the judge responsible for marking the movements.

2.6 The judges for this section do NOT need to be BHDTA panel judges but must be competent and suitably experienced.

Phase 2 - Cones (Obstacle Driving)

2.7 Competitors will be told the bogey time for the course but are reminded that stopwatches and/or other timing aids are strictly forbidden. Outside assistance could lead to disqualification.

          The Course

2.8 There will be a maximum of ten elements.

2.9 Obstacle gate markers shall be numbered sequentially. Official BHDTA type cones need not be used but all obstacle gates must have a dislodgeable element.

2.10 The course may include one multiple obstacle.

2.11 The starting line may not be less than 5 metres from the first obstacle.

2.12 The finishing line may not be less than 5 metres from the final obstacle.

2.13 There is no set minimum or maximum distance between obstacles but the design should enable drivers to maintain an even pace throughout the majority of the course.

2.14 Drivers may take whatever line they wish but must take each obstacle in sequence.

2.15 Drivers may cross their own line between obstacles without penalty.

2.16 Knocking down a previously driven obstacle will incur penalties.

           Speed

2.17 The target time will be calculated from a speed of 220 metres per minute.

2.18 A competitor will incur one penalty point for each commenced second either above or below the target time and five penalties for dislodging one or both balls of a single obstacle.

Phase 3 - Marathon Obstacles (Hazards)

2.19 Each competitor will drive four (4) marathon type obstacles.

2.20 Two (2) obstacles will be erected in the arena at any one time and will have a maximum of 5 flagged gates. (If two arenas are available at the same venue, two obstacles may be erected in each to give a total of four).

2.21 Obstacles 1 & 2 shall be driven by each competitor from all classes.

2.22 Local organizers may use obstacles 1 and 2 twice with the whole class driving the first two obstacles and then re-driving them as obstacles 3 and 4 or
obstacles 1 & 2 are then reflagged or totally replaced to form obstacles 3 & 4 which are then driven by each competitor. Where two arenas are available all obstacles can be driven consecutively but organisers should consider carefully the effect that this can make to the character of, and the build up of interest in, the competition.

2.23 Obstacles may have up to one knockdown per element.

2.24 Start and finish gates will be positioned between the obstacles and will be common to both obstacles.

           Scoring

2.25 One penalty point will be awarded for each commenced second spent in each obstacle. Each obstacle is timed individually. Local organisers may choose to time to 1/100th second.

2.25a For the National Finals timing will be made exact to 1/100th of a second.

2.26 Each knock down incurs five (5) penalty points.

2.27 Obstacles 1 & 2 will be driven in reverse order of combined scores after phases 1 & 2 ( Precision & Paces + Cones) the best going last.

2.28 Obstacles 3 & 4 will be driven in reverse order of combined scores after phases 1 & 2 plus obstacles 1 & 2, the best going last.

3: Classes

3.1

(1) Novice Single Pony

(2) Open Single Pony

(3) Novice Single Horse

(4) Open Single Horse

(5) Multiples - Pairs

(6) Multiples - Tandems, Unicorns, Teams

Classes 5 and 6 will be combined at qualifiers but will be separate at the finals

3.2 Other classes may be introduced at a later time.

3.3 Classes may be combined at the discretion of the organisers.

4: Competitors

4.1 All competitors must be members of the Indoor Horse Driving Trials UK.
This membership affords competitors personal liability insurance for the duration of the event but not personal accident insurance cover. It is strongly recommended that drivers have further insurance cover for all driving activities they undertake, the BHDTA offers insurance via membership

4.2 JUNIORS: Competitors under the age of 18 years as of the 1st of October of that winter's season.
Age qualifications for drivers and grooms as per BHDTA rules for affiliated club events.

4.3 OPEN: Competitors, who have competed in open classes in BHDTA national horse driving trials
competitions or that have qualified for a novice class at a National Indoor Horse Driving Trials Final.

4.4 Drivers may compete in two classes at an event and will qualify from both.

5: Grooms

5.1 Grooms may stand on the back step for all phases.

5.2 Grooms giving assistance, including verbal or physical directions; sliding, lifting or moving the vehicle in any way during phases 1 & 2 will incur 20 penalties for their competitor for each incidence.

5.3 Grooms need not be members of the BHDTA or the IHDT UK

5.4 Grooms may compete on more than one vehicle at an event.

5.5 Drivers may act as grooms on other turnouts within the same event in which they are competing.

6: Horse - Pony - Donkey

6.1 Animals need not be registered with the BHDTA.

6.2 Animals may compete twice in any one competition.

6.3 Animals may wear boots and/or bandages during all phases of the competition.

7: Dress

7.1 Marathon dress to be worn throughout all phases of the competition.

7.2 BHDTA approved protective hard hats are required in all phases and body protectors are strongly recommended.

8: Vehicles

8.1 The competitor will use the same vehicle for all three phases.

8.2 Vehicles will be of a marathon type, pneumatic tyres are permitted but scurry vehicles are NOT permitted. Minimum weights do not apply but all vehicles must be of a construction suitable for the competition.
Minimum widths for all phases of the competition = 125cm.

8.3 Vehicles may be measured at any stage during the competition.

9: National Finals Qualification System

9.1

Each competitor, in each event, in each region, will gain points on the scale shown below. These points reflect the position in which the competitor finishes within their class each time they complete.

Position Points

First 10

Second 8

Third 6

Fourth 5

Fifth 4

Sixth 3

Each competitor completing an event outside these positions will gain 1 point.

9.2 The IHDT UK will allocate each event to a region or regions.

9.3 Competitors may not transfer points between regions unless an event is specified as being multi regional
in the schedule.

9.4
This rule has been deleted.

9.5 All qualifying events must run to the official I.C.D.C. rules and event organisers must report all
competitors’ final scores and placings as soon as possible after the event to
IHDT UK.

9.6

National Finals qualifications; Competitors will qualify from each class, in each region as follows:-

Junior Class: The highest points

Novice Pony: The highest & second highest points

Novice Horse: The highest points

Open Pony: The highest points

Open Horse: The highest points

Multiples: The Pair,Tandem, Unicorn, Team with the highest points.

The scores will be calculated as follows: The point gained from the placings in the qualifying events in any one region, less one (ie a region with 6 qualifying rounds, the total of a competitors best 5 scores will count). If this results in a tie the remaining score will be used as a tie breaker.

9.7 All the previous seasons National Indoor Champions and the Reserve Supreme Champion have the right to defend their titles and not have to pre-qualify but must have competed during the current season.

9.7a Past National Supreme Champions are qualified for all future National Indoor Championship Finals - provided they compete in the current season. They may compete in classes other than those of their championship win.

9.8 IHDT UK, as the organisers of the Championship Finals reserve the
right to issue invitations to further competitors, as they shall see fit.

Rules as at March 2007

Health & Safety:   Health and Safety standards will be in force always. All persons on any show ground or course, etc., will be held responsible to comply to these standards at all times and will not put themselves or any other person at risk in any way whatsover. Any accident shall be reported to the Health and Safety Office or Club/Event Secretary at the time of the occurrence. A report shall be entered into the Accident Report Book and the relevant forms completed.

Disclaimer: Neither the organisers nor the sponsors nor the Club(s) nor the landowner nor any agent, employee or representative of these bodies accepts any liability for any loss, damage, injury, illness to horses, owners, drivers, grooms, spectators nor any person whatsover, whether caused by their negligence, breach of contract, or in any other way whatsoever, save for the death or personal injury caused by the Club's negligence.

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