| Author | Message | ||
     Angela Cherrington Username: Angelac Registered: 10-2003 |
I am wondering why there seem to be different editions of rules for the current season. On this site there is a 5.4 and a 5.5 which seem to imply that grooms may go twice in a class and that whips may groom in the same class as driving. On BHDTA site there is no rule 5.5, and rule 5.4 specifically states that grooms may not groom twice in same class, and whips may not groom in same class as driving. Can someone clarify please? Should there not just be one official wording of the rules? Also are grooms now allowed walk the cones course? Not being stroppy, just want to know for sure. | ||
| Linus Surguy Username: Linus Registered: 01-2003 |
Whilst I can't speak offically for the club, the copy here on the website is the latest and definitive version. If in any doubt as to the authenticity of rules/results/dates please check here first, and if you are still not sure, email the club at info@indoordriving.com | ||
| Cathy Username: Cathy Registered: 11-2003 |
Clarification on Issues. Can I please ask for clarification on several issues. At a recent event a stallion was brought to the event by a novice driver who had not been assessed. I also understand that the stallion had not even been to an event before. 1. Are the indoor driving club following the rules from the BHDTA regarding assessments prior to events or can people be assessed on the day? 2. Should a Novice Driver bring a stallion to the event, considering lack of space. 3. Who would be responsible in the above case if an accident was caused, would it be the organiser, the organiser's club or indoor driving trials club? I ask these questions as someone said at the event that the stallion in question almost caused an accident whilst being worked in. Myself I find it a very frightening prospect of coming up against a stallion driven by a novice driver, considering I drive a mare and at most venues there is very little room to work in. | ||
| IHDTC Office Username: Ihdtcoffice Registered: 11-2003 |
Hi Cathy To answer your questions. 1. All competitors must be assessed BEFORE competing, either by an affiliated Club or by an assessor appointed by the IHDT, prior to the event day or before competing on the event day IF the appointed assessor is willing to carry out such an assessment on an event day early in the morning. 2. Now this can be a difficult question to answer, but I would firstly say it depends on the way the horse has been educated. Having worked with colts and stallions for many years I know if treated as any other horse a stallion would be undetectable in his behaviour as any gelding, (I have seen mares behave worse than any stallion!) We have a least two stallions competing in the South East without any problems in or out of harness, one of which is driven by a novice whip. Again the driving ability and knowledge of the horse in question must be considered. Obviously a real beginner and a ill mannered horse of any gender is a accident waiting to happen. 3. If at any event a competitor has the misfortune of a mishap, then the normal accident/insurance procedure would come into play. That is why being a member of the IHDT is a condition of competing. The IHDT is affiliated to the BHDTA, therefore all Club members are covered by the BHDTA insurance whilst competing at an Indoor event, providing they are at the venue (not going for a jolly up the public road to warm up) Do not be frightened of any stallion, it is just the same as any other equine, they all need education and TLC! Enjoy your Indoor driving. Rita Hope this helps. | ||
| Catherine Gray Username: Catherineg Registered: 11-2003 |
I know both the stallion and novice driver in question, and watched every single moment of his behaviour from the time he was harnessed to the time he was returned back onto the lorry. As far as I am concerned, he behaved incredibly well. No, he has not been to this sort of event before, but he has been driven in public by an experienced driver, in company, and was never likely to cause an accident then or at Sparsholt. Admittedly he was a little fresh and showing his excitement at having a day out, but the incident that had him bouncing a little happened in the middle of the school, with no-one near him. There were four people watching who knew the pony and driver, ready to step in if the need arose, and a knowledgeable friend standing in the arena, giving guidance too. Yes, the driver is a novice, but has known the stallion since the day he was born, and works with him every day. They have an extremely close bond, and if he was to misbehave, he would be far more likely to disobey an experienced driver who does not know him properly, than someone for whom he has proper respect. The driver is very well-respected in the horse world, and has shown the pony very successfully at International level under saddle/in-hand; he is at the same time a well-known top working stallion. Their results could not be achieved if he was in any way unreliable or dangerous. Everyone has to start somewhere, and on the whole, we found the general attitude of other people at the event extremely friendly - except those who did nothing but scowl as a novice drove cautiously around the arena getting a feel for something which is supposed to be enjoyable! | ||
| Cathy Username: Cathy Registered: 11-2003 |
No offence was ment over the stallion, it was just that I was informed that an incident nearly occurred in the outdoor school when the pony apparently took off and almost collided with another who was warming up. |