Saddlery & Dress rules for Pony Club Dressage

Please note that any references to rules are referring to the 2007 Pony Club Dressage Rule book.

DRESS

a) Hats
i) It is mandatory for all Members to wear a protective helmet manufactured to one of the minimum standards listed in Appendix B. All Hats must be fitted with a Pony Club Tag. (see appendix B). The cover of the hat should be dark blue or black only.

ii) A competitor whose hat comes off, or chinstrap comes undone, whilst riding in the competition must, on penalty of elimination replace it, or do it up, before continuing. He may dismount without penalty to recover the hat or have it passed up from the ground, or he may stop without penalty to do up the chinstrap.

b) Breeches - Breeches must be white, cream or beige.

c) Jackets - Tweed jackets with a Pony Club tie or a stock, or a navy blue or black jacket with a Pony Club Tie or white or cream hunting stock shall be worn. Jackets must be worn for the duration of the test. Jackets may be removed during the warm up, provided the competitor is wearing a shirt which is fastened at the neck and has long or short sleeves. A tie or stock as appropriate must also be worn.

d) Pony Club badge - The official metal membership badge must be worn on the left lapel of the rider’s jacket

e) Gloves - All competitors must wear gloves.

f) Hair - In the interests of safety, long hair should be secured appropriately.

g) Jewellery - Is not allowed. This Rule applies to all Pony Club mounted activities. For safety reasons, no jewellery (including “sleepers”) may be worn, other than a wedding ring, a wristwatch, a stock pin worn horizontally, or a tie clip. Branch and Centre Members who are contemplating piercing their ears or any other part of their body should be aware that they will not be allowed to participate in Pony Club mounted activities until such time as the “sleepers” can safely be removed.

The reason for this is that sleepers have in the past caused injuries following falls. There are vulnerable blood vessels behind the ear and, in addition, if the facial nerve is pierced, partial paralysis of the face can occur.

h) Spurs - Spurs may be worn at Rallies and other events with the permission of the District Commissioner. Members without the B Test should carry proof of this permission. Only blunt spurs, without rowels or sharp edges, may be worn. If the spurs are curved, the curve must be downwards and the shank must point straight to the back and not exceed 3cm in length. Sharp spurs may not be worn. (See also Rule 40(b)).

i) Footwear - Standard Riding or Jodhpur Boots with a smooth, fairly thin sole, and a well defined square cut heel should be worn. No other footwear will be allowed. Plain black or brown half chaps worn with standard riding or Jodhpur boots of the same colour are allowed. Tassels are not allowed.

j) Bodyprotectors - may be worn

k) Button Holes - Shall not be worn.

l) Bright coloured accessories should not be worn.

m) While dismounted in the collecting area, competitors must be tidily dressed but not necessarily in riding clothes.

n) At Prize-giving mounted or dismounted, competitors must be correctly dressed in their competition riding clothes. Only tack that falls within the rules of the competition will be allowed.

o) Responsibility - It is the responsibility of competitors that their dress and saddlery are in accordance with the Rules. Contravention may incur elimination. (See also Rules 40 & 54).

WHIPS

a) May be carried during the Test.
b) May be of any length.
c) May not be picked up if dropped during a Test.
d) May be carried in either hand, but must be in the rein hand when saluting.
e) If misused, in the opinion of the judge, the rider will be eliminated. (See also Rule 40(b)).
f) Whips are not allowed in the Dressage phase of an Eventing competition at Level 5.

SADDLERY & EQUIPMENT

a) Saddles - Brown or black saddles of plain English type with white, cream or dark coloured girths. Competitors wishing to use a side-saddle must notify the organiser of the competition at the time of entry.

b) Bridles - Plain black or brown leather bridles only may be used (white or coloured piping or decoration is not permitted on nosebands and browbands). For safety reasons, leather bridles are recommended.

c) Numnahs, Saddle cloths , pads - Only white, cream, navy, brown or black are permitted, with no Logo. Any piping round the edge should be of the same colour.

d) Stirrups should be of the correct size to suit the rider's boots and should have 7 mm (1/4") clearance on either side.

e) Bits - snaffles - Bits should follow the configuration of those illustrated.

* Bits of rubber, nylon or other synthetic materials are permitted. The mouthpiece must be coloured black, brown or white.

Bits must be used in their manufactured condition without any addition to/on any part. Only the bits that are illustrated are permitted, they may be used with any of the cheeks or rings illustrated. A mix of metals in the mouthpiece is permitted. A plastic snaffle with a cylindrical rotating mouthpiece is permitted.

The following Myler Bits are permitted, MB01, MB02, MB09 and MB32 with loose rings, D-rings, eggbutt rings or full cheeks (without hooks and sleeves).

It is permitted to use two reins with a snaffle bit.

f) Bitless Bridles or hackamores - Are not allowed

g) Bitguards - Are not allowed.

h) Nosebands - One only of either the cavesson, drop or 'flash' must be worn. Grackle nosebands are permitted only for Eventing. Nosebands should be correctly fitted and should not cause discomfort.

i) Martingales - and bearing, side, check or running reins of any kind are forbidden. Breastplates and cruppers are permitted.

j) Bandages and Boots - May be worn while riding-in, but not during a Test. (Equiboots may be worn during a Test).

k) Neckstraps - May be worn while riding-in, but not during a Test.

l) Blinkers of any kind are forbidden.

m) Fly-fringes, Nose gauzes and Ear covers - which cover any part of the horse's head may be worn when riding-in but not during a Test, except for 'headshakers', when under certain circumstances such horses may receive dispensation to wear a nose gauze on production of a Veterinary Note.

n) Competitors using Saddlery and Gadgets which are not allowed in the competition will be eliminated.

o) Lungeing in side reins, but NOT bearing, check or balancing reins is allowed when exercising or warming up. (See also Rule 19(i)).

p) Disabled riders are welcome to apply to use special equipment.

q) Electronic devices (i.e. headphones, mobile phones etc. enabling another person to communicate with the rider) are not allowed whilst the rider is competing.

r) Any equipment not covered in these rules must be referred to Headquarters for prior approval.

Unless bits follow the configuration of those illustrated below they are not permitted.

1.       Loose ring snaffle
2.a     Snaffle with double-jointed mouthpiece (French link)
2.b     Snaffle with double-jointed mouthpiece
2.c     Snaffle with double-jointed mouthpiece with Lozenge
3.       Egg-butt snaffle
4.       Racing snaffle D-ring
5.       Egg-butt snaffle with cheeks
6.       Loose ring snaffle with cheeks (Fulmer)
7.       Snaffle with upper cheeks only
8.       Hanging cheek snaffle
9.       Straight bar snaffle. Permitted also with mullen mouth & eggbutt rings.
10.     Snaffle with rotating mouthpiece
11.     Double jointed with roller in the centre