Post by Admin on Dec 19, 2014 23:23:01 GMT 2
The Cross Country Society
THE GENUS-EQUUS CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE WELFARE OF THE HORSE
General Welfare:
a) Good Horse management: Stabling and feeding must be compatible with the best Horse management practices. Clean and good quality hay, feed and water must always be available.
b) Training methods: Horses must only undergo training that matches their physical capabilities and level of maturity for their respective disciplines. They must not be subjected to methods which are abusive or cause fear.
c) Farriery and tack: Foot care and shoeing must be of a high standard. Tack must be designed and fitted to avoid the risk of pain or injury.
Fitness to compete:
a) Fitness and competence: Participation in Competition must be restricted to fit Horses and Athletes of proven competence. Horses must be allowed suitable rest period between training and competitions; additional rest periods should be allowed following travelling.
b) Health status: No Horse deemed unfit to compete may compete or continue to compete, veterinary advice must be sought whenever there is any doubt.
c) Surgical procedures: Any surgical procedures that threaten a competing Horse’s welfare or the safety of other Horses and/or Athletes must not be allowed.
d) Pregnant/recently foaled mares: Mares must not compete after their fourth month of pregnancy or with foal at foot.
e) Misuse of aids: Abuse of a Horse using natural riding aids or artificial aids (e.g. whips, spurs, etc.) will not be tolerated.
Events must not prejudice Horse welfare:
a) Competition areas: Horses must be trained and compete on suitable and safe surfaces. All obstacles and competition conditions must be designed with the safety of the Horse in mind.
b) Ground surfaces: All ground surfaces on which Horses walk, train or compete must be designed and maintained to reduce factors that could lead to injury. Sand, rubber chipping, grass are all safe.
GENUS EQUUS CROOS COUNTRY RULES AND KNOWLEDGE
The Cross Country Test constitutes the most exciting and challenging all round test of riding ability and horsemanship where correct principles of training and riding are rewarded. This test focuses on the ability of Athletes and Horses to adapt to different and variable conditions of the Competition (weather, terrain, obstacles, footing, etc.) showing jumping skills, harmony, mutual confidence, and in general “good pictures”. This test requires by all involved special awareness and acceptance of a certain level of risk inherent to the particular challenging and exciting nature of the test. Every effort must be made to ensure that, at each level, responsible Athletes are participating with progressively trained Horses in order not to be exposed to a higher risk than which is strictly inherent to the nature and level of the Competition.
The Jumps:
Table Fences: At all levels up to and including 3 Star, tables should be built with a sloping front face, sloping upwards away from the Horse on the take off side of the fence. In the case of picnic tables with a bench in front, the top line of the table can have a vertical face of at least 25 cm and the bench in front should also have a vertical face of at least 25 cm. At all levels, the possibility of a false ground line must be avoided. Thus for instance in the case of a picnic table be careful when having a bench on the landing side of the obstacle. It is vital that the Horse is able to judge the spread of an obstacle this may mean it is necessary to make the top of a table slightly ascending or to colour the landing edge if it might blend into the background. The back part of the table should be about 35 cm higher than the front part.
Verticals: True vertical fences should not be sited where it is likely or very possible that Athletes/Horses will approach them at a very fast pace and out of balance. The precise degree of slope for such fences cannot be specified this must depend on the particular site and fence, the level of difficulty of the course and the experience of the Athletes.
Spread Fences: Fences with a top spread close to the maximum permitted for the level of Competition should not be sited in close proximity to hazards. Consideration should always be given in these circumstances to filling in such spreads. It is important to ensure that the Horse can see the back part, using different materials, colours, flowers, etc. Special care must be taken when using spread fences as last element of a combination as they could be very punishing for a Horse in trouble in the combination.
Triple Bars: A maximum of three quarters of permitted base spread for each star level should be used for
triple bars or open ditches. In general, where the maximum base spread is to be used, the highest point of the fence should be at a point between half and three quarters of the spread.
Ditches: At the one and two star levels a significant ditch should not normally be used in front of an obstacle forming the second or subsequent part of a combination, if the distance between the 1st and 2nd part (or 2nd / 3rd as relevant) is less than three strides. It is very important that the sides (back face) and bottom of the ditch can be clearly distinguished from the surrounding ground the colour of the ground / surface should be different even spraying ground with a coloured paint has been tried with some success! Consideration must be given to the depth of ditches: a very shallow ditch is not impressive enough for the Horse, whilst if a ditch is more than 60 cm deep arrangements must be made such that a Horse can be extracted if it becomes blocked in it. All ditches should be arranged with a ramp (slope) so that a Horse can be walked out of the ditch readily.
Brush Fences: Where there is both a solid or fixed part and a soft "brush" part (for Horses to brush through it without causing injury to the Horse) to an obstacle, the fence will jump better if there is 25 cm or 30cm of brush above the solid part. As the Rules specify the maximum height for the brush, then the solid part of the obstacle should be lower than the maximum permitted. For instance, at 3 and 4 star Events where 1.40 - 1.45 m is permitted for the maximum height of the brush, the fixed part should actually be set at approximately 1.10 - 1.15 m.
Double and Triple Brushes: It is highly recommended that double and triple brushes are "filled in" between the rows of brush, so that a Horse can Eventually put afoot down with safety. In the case of double brushes, it is recommended to "fill in" between the two rows of hedge.
Unjumpable parts of fences: Unjumpable parts of a fence or combination of fences must be truly "unjumpable". This means that the Course Designer and Technical Delegate must be sure they close the places where they do not want the Athletes to jump in a way that for the Horse it is clearly a barrier and is impossible to try to jump.
Alternative obstacles: Alternative obstacles, if possible, should be designed as the same type as the direct route, and not interfering with it. An alternative obstacle must not be sited in such a way as to encourage a quick jump following a refusal. For example it is not permitted to have an "elbow" attached to an obstacle on the front side as an alternative. Where possible, alternatives should be sited only behind the direct route, and on the landing side of obstacles. If this is not practicable (where ground slopes away or water involved) the alternative obstacle must be some distance away ensuring sufficient space to recover the impulsion is taken to jump it (at least three strides). For this purpose the black flag methodology is often very helpful for the Course Designer.
Bounce fences: The elements of a bounce fence should not consist of true verticals the face of the elements should be sloping. The use of contrasting colours for each element is highly recommended. At 1 or 2 star Events, bounce fences must not be built on downhill slopes. A bounce of maximum height is not appropriate at a lower level Event. Double bounce fences are allowed only at 3 and 4star Events, except in the case of ‘steps’.
Hole fences: The height of the hole should not be less than 1.80 m and the width not less than 1.60 m. Any surface that can be touched by the Horse must always be soft (not susceptible to hurt the Horse or the Athlete). The spread should not be more than 50% of that permitted for the level. The comment about double brushes (see above) applies.
Fences with roof: The roof should not be placed at less than 2.20 m from the top of the fence. It is not recommended to use roofs at water complexes where the Horse has to jump into the roofed area (e.g. where there is a roofed bank in the water).
Water fences: Using different shades of colours or clearly differentiated colours is recommended. This makes the Horse quickly understand what he has to jump. Avoid optical illusions and also avoid reflective materials / gloss paint/ shiny varnishes. Top line of bank or step out of water must be very visible in all conditions especially when wet after a few Horses have passed. Step out of water, a groundline is recommended and the previous fence should be not less than 13.7m before the step. While a slight slope on the ground where Horses land in water is recommended there must not be more than a 20cm change in the depth of water in the first two strides after landing. Water to water with a drop is not considered to be an appropriate question at any level. The use of ‘white’ coloured fences is not recommended when jumping into water.
Corners: Open Corners are recommended at all levels where the approach is either ‘straight’ or off a turn. Closed in ‘solid top’ corners are recommended where there is limited reaction time, ie after a step or ditch or shortly after crest of hill. Corners with a ‘short’ back rail are preferably not to be used at the lower levels, but can be used at the higher levels provided care is given to present a fence that is not confusing to the Horse. This should be achieved through the flagging and a correct use of decoration, so to create a clear single visual passage across the fence. If a frangible rail is used great care must be taken to avoid the risk of a Horse jumping on to the retaining post.
Angels:
1 Star | 45 – 50 degrees |
2 Star | 60 - 65 degrees |
3 Star | 75 - 80 degrees |
Short Back Rails Length:
1 Star | 2.70m |
2 Star | 2.35m |
3 Star | 2.00m |
GENUS-EQUUS GENERAL, CROSS COUNTRY GUIDE TO ATTIRE, POINTS, PRIZES AND LEVELS
One star: The One Star level is truly an educational and introductory level to international Competition. It is not appropriate to put exercises seen at the four star level onto one star courses at 1.10 metre height! The first step on the ladder introducing Horses and Athletes to a wide variety of fences and simple questions. There will probably be a wide variety in the age group of the Horses competing and a wide range of Athlete ability. The emphasis is very much on education of Horse and Athlete Simple combinations, turning and accuracy/line questions, corners, ditches, etc. need to be introduced. The "intensity of effort" is low and regular "let up" fences are needed. The Course Designer should ask himself if the direct route is appropriate or if it is felt that an alternative is needed. If an alternative is needed the direct route is probably too difficult. Alternatives should be the absolute exception at the One Star Level, except for 'skinny' fences and/or where it is difficult to represent the Horse at the fence. We should not be embarrassed if the majority of the Horses jump around at this level, "clear and inside the time". To always remember that this level also needs to prepare Horses for 2 star Competitions. - Max Points Total - 15
Two star: Many consider this the most difficult level to design well for, as it is still an "educational" level, but it must also prepare the big step to the three star level. Often the best way to determine this level is to ask if the question is a one star question or a three star question. If the answer to both is "no" then it is probably a two star question! If the answer is yes then the level of difficulty needs increasing or decreasing as appropriate. As this is still an educational level CD's should again ask themselves the appropriateness of the direct route if it is felt an alternative is needed as alternatives at the Two Star Level should again be the exception, except for 'skinny' fences and/or where it is difficult to represent the Horse at the fence. More sophisticated types of questions must be asked building on what has been learned at 1 star level. Less "let up fences" than 1 star but still recognizing that this level is where many Athletes will
introduce their Horses to Long Format Competition having by passed the 1 star level. The trend is currently to begin to "cluster" fences at this level which puts more emphasis on the
intensity in those sections of the course. This should never be overdone at any level and keeping a certain regularity of fences is key for the balance and flow of the course. - Max Points Total - 20
Three star: Three star is the first level that should start to examine the skill of the Athlete and the athleticism and rideability of the Horse. The balance begins to swing from education to examination. This should never be overdone at any level and keeping a certain regularity of fences is key for the balance and flow of the course. This is a level that qualifies Horses for Championship Events so must be a stepping stone to those competitors. The "intensity of effort" increases from the two star level, there will therefore be less "let up" fences and more related obstacles. However this level should still give Horse s and Athletes the chance to learn and benefit from their experience. In setting this test Course Designers need to be careful not to overdo the intensity of the questions asked (refer to section on intensity of effort). - Max Points Total - 25
Four star: This is the ultimate Cross Country examination with the most sophisticated courses where the accumulation of jumping efforts has an effect on the mental and physical tiredness and confidence of both the Horse and Athlete. These are the most difficult courses to set as the margin for error is the smallest so only experienced designers and officials should be used. - Max Points Total - 30
Two star: Many consider this the most difficult level to design well for, as it is still an "educational" level, but it must also prepare the big step to the three star level. Often the best way to determine this level is to ask if the question is a one star question or a three star question. If the answer to both is "no" then it is probably a two star question! If the answer is yes then the level of difficulty needs increasing or decreasing as appropriate. As this is still an educational level CD's should again ask themselves the appropriateness of the direct route if it is felt an alternative is needed as alternatives at the Two Star Level should again be the exception, except for 'skinny' fences and/or where it is difficult to represent the Horse at the fence. More sophisticated types of questions must be asked building on what has been learned at 1 star level. Less "let up fences" than 1 star but still recognizing that this level is where many Athletes will
introduce their Horses to Long Format Competition having by passed the 1 star level. The trend is currently to begin to "cluster" fences at this level which puts more emphasis on the
intensity in those sections of the course. This should never be overdone at any level and keeping a certain regularity of fences is key for the balance and flow of the course. - Max Points Total - 20
Three star: Three star is the first level that should start to examine the skill of the Athlete and the athleticism and rideability of the Horse. The balance begins to swing from education to examination. This should never be overdone at any level and keeping a certain regularity of fences is key for the balance and flow of the course. This is a level that qualifies Horses for Championship Events so must be a stepping stone to those competitors. The "intensity of effort" increases from the two star level, there will therefore be less "let up" fences and more related obstacles. However this level should still give Horse s and Athletes the chance to learn and benefit from their experience. In setting this test Course Designers need to be careful not to overdo the intensity of the questions asked (refer to section on intensity of effort). - Max Points Total - 25
Four star: This is the ultimate Cross Country examination with the most sophisticated courses where the accumulation of jumping efforts has an effect on the mental and physical tiredness and confidence of both the Horse and Athlete. These are the most difficult courses to set as the margin for error is the smallest so only experienced designers and officials should be used. - Max Points Total - 30
General Attire:
Riders Attire must be formal, white or cream Jodhupers or breeches are to be worn, along with black knee high rubber or leather boots. Gloves of black, brown or white are optional but highly reccomended. Blunt straight spurs are optional but not reccomeded. Polo shirts, short or long sleeved are reccomended. BODY PROTECTION VESTS & HELMETS MUST BE WORN.
Horse Attire must be safe, along with a Jumping saddle, or a standard English Saddle, simple O-ring, D-ring snaffle bridle is aslo reccomended, those at a higher level may wear a double reined flash bridle. Please see Image below for a breif Example of all tack used.
General Prizes and Points:
If you do money or cash prize as they say, you must make sure you are prepared to host for the working out of distribution to each placed member who will earn cash prizes. There must be a 25% entry fee to the oeverall cash prize. Example £15,000 is cash prize this means the entry fee must be £3,750. IF you have difficulties working out go to google and enter in "25% of "cash prize" this will then show you an answer of the entry fee. To give even distribution to the top 3 who have placed you must hand it out like this:
Total Prize: £15,000
1st - £10,000
2nd - £3,000
3rd - £2,000
To distribute points must be as follows.
1 Star - Max Total Points - 15
2 Star - Max Total Points - 20
3 Star - Max Total Points - 25
4 Star - Max Total Points - 30
To distribute Points to the placed horse and the others please look at how to do this below:
Cross Country (International Championships 4 Star) 30pts.
1st - 15pts
2nd - 10pts
3rd - 3pts
4th - 1pts
5th - 1pts
^^Just an Example^^
Horses that have freshly registered with Genus-Equus Cross Country Society and are only 4 Years of Age are always restricted to begin at First level. Horses that have either placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in at least every single competition ranging from level First - Intermediate 2 (advanced) may advance to Grand Prix (highly advanced) - International Championships. There are no breed restrictions, or Level restrictions IF your horse has a secondary or third Discpline. Although some restrictions may be in place for obvious reasons. For example Shetland ponies may not compete against warmbloods, Although they may compete against other shetland ponies. Renaiming of shows just like Show jumping is too allowed, like Novice junior Champions or Novice Cross Country Event, it can be of anything you choose of.
Riders Attire must be formal, white or cream Jodhupers or breeches are to be worn, along with black knee high rubber or leather boots. Gloves of black, brown or white are optional but highly reccomended. Blunt straight spurs are optional but not reccomeded. Polo shirts, short or long sleeved are reccomended. BODY PROTECTION VESTS & HELMETS MUST BE WORN.
Horse Attire must be safe, along with a Jumping saddle, or a standard English Saddle, simple O-ring, D-ring snaffle bridle is aslo reccomended, those at a higher level may wear a double reined flash bridle. Please see Image below for a breif Example of all tack used.
^^^General Cross Country Attire^^^
General Prizes and Points:
- Points and prizes are awarded by placing. 1st - 3rd.
- Points are still awarded to those who come in 4th, 5th, and 6th.
- Prizes may vary between, money, rossets, trophies, saches and ribbons. Certificates are also an option. Along with Stamps to place on websites.
- Prize money may be awarded but under strict terms. Prize money must not exceed £20,000 for the winner per horse, per competition.
If you do money or cash prize as they say, you must make sure you are prepared to host for the working out of distribution to each placed member who will earn cash prizes. There must be a 25% entry fee to the oeverall cash prize. Example £15,000 is cash prize this means the entry fee must be £3,750. IF you have difficulties working out go to google and enter in "25% of "cash prize" this will then show you an answer of the entry fee. To give even distribution to the top 3 who have placed you must hand it out like this:
Total Prize: £15,000
1st - £10,000
2nd - £3,000
3rd - £2,000
To distribute points must be as follows.
1 Star - Max Total Points - 15
2 Star - Max Total Points - 20
3 Star - Max Total Points - 25
4 Star - Max Total Points - 30
To distribute Points to the placed horse and the others please look at how to do this below:
Cross Country (International Championships 4 Star) 30pts.
1st - 15pts
2nd - 10pts
3rd - 3pts
4th - 1pts
5th - 1pts
^^Just an Example^^
Horses that have freshly registered with Genus-Equus Cross Country Society and are only 4 Years of Age are always restricted to begin at First level. Horses that have either placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in at least every single competition ranging from level First - Intermediate 2 (advanced) may advance to Grand Prix (highly advanced) - International Championships. There are no breed restrictions, or Level restrictions IF your horse has a secondary or third Discpline. Although some restrictions may be in place for obvious reasons. For example Shetland ponies may not compete against warmbloods, Although they may compete against other shetland ponies. Renaiming of shows just like Show jumping is too allowed, like Novice junior Champions or Novice Cross Country Event, it can be of anything you choose of.
Thankyou for Reading.
IF YOU HAVE ANY ENQUIREES PLEASE DO PM THE GECCS OR THE ADMIN.
IF YOU HAVE ANY ENQUIREES PLEASE DO PM THE GECCS OR THE ADMIN.
How to become a member of the cross country society
In order to get approval to become registered with the GECCS you must fillout the following application and PM a member of staff. This can be either Sapphire, Izel, Cha Do Hwi or Admin.
You must also understand how difficult and dangerous cross country can be so you must be prepared for injury during a trial. The registration fee is £50.00
[b]Show Name[/b]
[b]Breed[/b]
[b]Age[/b]
[b]D/O/B[/b]
[b]Current Points in XC[/b]
[b]Previous Shows Entered[/b]
[b]Image of equine[/b] (this must be an image of either the equine trotting or cantering, this shows us how they move along flat level to help ensure the equine is sound, do not edit the image, and please get a clear side veiw if possible, no rider.)
Registration Fee is to be paid directly to Genus-Equus Bank found here > genus-equus.freeforums.net/user/14