    
Fiona Powell
Username: Fionap
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, 27 November, 2015 - 11:25 am: | |
In case you missed it, here is Ade MacLeod's summary of British Carriagedriving's October ruling.
"From 1 January 2016, competitors at Indoor and Club events will be required to wear body protectors. At the Clubs meeting at the BC AGM, the position on when and what you have to wear was made clear(er). From BC:
Chris Smith, Chairman of the BC Rules Committee notes the following:
The position is that for next season rule 928.2.1 will be amended to say:-
“Athletes and grooms must wear securely fastened protective headgear on the marathon. Athletes and grooms must wear a suitable back/body protector on the marathon. Infringement will incur Elimination. Any athlete/groom who continues on the course without a hard had after elimination is Disqualified.
See attached Notes for Guidance”
The Notes for Guidance which will be attached have not yet been finalised, but they will be along the following lines:-
“British Carriagedriving considers that it is the responsibility of each Athlete and their Groom(s) to determine what form of back/body protection is most suitable for them, taking into account the risks inherent in the marathon competition and the characteristics of their turnout including size, shape and experience.
The following are not, however, considered to be suitable and do not comply with the requirement of article 928.2.2:
a. Any back or body protector that has not been certified as being suitable for use in equestrian sports or another sport or activity which, in the opinion of the Athlete/Groom, involves comparable or equivalent risks;
b. An air jacket unless worn with an additional back/body protector which is suitable.”
Brockham Harness Club (along with other affiliated clubs) will adopt this rule for all phases of Indoor events and the marathon phase of outdoor club one- and two-day events from 1 January 2016. The club will advise if body protectors are required for other types of event.
What is the best garment to buy? It is, as will be set out in the notes, for each athlete and their groom to decide what is suitable for their turnout. The new rules limit themselves to identifying what is not suitable, which is anything that has not been type tested and certified for use in equestrian sports or some sport or activity with equivalent risks. This will, for example, permit those drivers who use back protectors which have been certified for use in motorcycling or skiing to continue to do so. It will not permit two sheets of cardboard tied on with string."
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