Ridden Display of Basic Flatwork

As per:
a) Rules published on this website.
b) Eventing Ireland Rule Book 2003 covering 'One-Day Events - Dressage' for Novice Classes (Sections 59-69, Appendices b to e).

Jumping

Because specific Training and Introductory Clinics are an integral part of the FEHL package, mounted course walks on the day of Qualifiers are discontinued in order to provide a level playing field for all competitors.

A competitor, on entering the competition arena and prior to the sounding of the "start bell" may not, under pain of elimination:

a) ride between any red or white flags or
b) go through any part of any fence in any direction or
c) jump any fence in the arena (whether flagged or un-flagged)

On getting the judge's bell, a competitor must:

a) go through the start flags
b) jump each fence between the Red + White flags in the correct numerical order
c) go through the finish flags --- or be eliminated

The timing of each round will commence when the competitor breaks the start beam, or on the expiry of 45 seconds subsequent to the "start bell" being sounded.

Heights, Speeds and Distances are as follows:

Class	4-Year Olds	5-Year Olds
No. of jumping efforts *	18	22
Max. Height	100	110
Speed m/min	325	350
Course length m	800 - 1000	1000 - 1250

* Steps and Banks are counted as one jumping effort

Penalties:

Knock of Pole	4 Penalties
1st Refusal/Run Out	4 Penalties
2nd Refusal at same fence	Elimination
2nd Refusal on the course	8 Penalties
3rd Refusal on the course	Elimination
Fall of Horse or Rider	Elimination
Time Penalties : 1 Penalty for each 4 seconds in excess of time allowed

Having been eliminated, 4-year olds may, at the judge's discretion, be allowed to continue to complete their round. However, subsequent problems on the course will necessitate the withdrawal of this indulgence.

Tack

Snaffle bridles, as defined by FEI, are mandatory. See website
Only Cavesson, Drop, Grackle and Flash Nosebands, as defined by FEI, are allowed. See website
No martingales of any description are permitted
No item of tack excluded from competition (except boots) is allowed in practice arena

Download - Dressage Arena | Bits | Nosebands

Boots

Only normal non-performance-enhancing front boots are permitted by FEHL. Where doubts exist, officials may insist on their removal.
Hind-leg boots or bandages are not permitted

Dress Code

Riding/hacking jacket, white/beige breeches, shirt and tie/stock and full riding boots The wearing of "international" green jackets is forbidden Safety helmet is compulsory

Spurs

Must be made of metal and be less than 2½ cm in length
No rowels allowed
Must be blunt and face backwards and downwards when worn

Combinations

Combinations of two types may be found on the FEHL course:

Open - denoted without - or Closed - denoted with box brackets. Check course plans carefully!

Open A B C: as on normal SJ course; must be jumped entirely and in sequence. If you refuse element c, you must retake the entire combination a b c.

Closed [A B C]: e.g. a table bank, sunken road or devil's dyke - must be jumped from point of problem. If you refuse element B, you may not retake element A . Click here for more information

Code of Conduct, Code of Behaviour and Prohibited Substances
As per Eventing Ireland Rule Book 2003, available for inspection at all Training Clinics, Qualifiers and the Final.

Prohibited Substances

FEHL, in unison with national and International organisations, exercises a policy of zero tolerance in respect of "Prohibited Substances".

Random MCP Tests will be conducted throughout the season as decided by FEHL. Therefore, it is forbidden for any rider/horse to participate in any FEHL competition whilst under the influence of any drug, stimulant, sedative or any substance included on IOC, FEI, OCI, ISC or HSI lists of "Prohibited Substances".

Appropriate tests may be taken at any time by an authorised medical or veterinary practitioner authorised by:

IOC: International Olympic Council
FEI: Fédération Équestre International
OCI: Olympic Council of Ireland
ISC: Irish Sports Council
HSI: Horse Sport Ireland

All tests will be conducted under current best practice protocol.

Infringement of this Rule will automatically incur one or more of the following prescribed penalties :

A monetary fine
Elimination from a Qualifying Round
Elimination from qualification for FEHL Final
Permanent disqualification of the owner from any future FEHL activity :

FEHL reserves the right to make public its findings.

Starting Times
For the Training Clinics, the Qualifiers and the League Final, times will be available on our website (www.fehl-ie.com) two days before the respective date or by telephone from FEHL Secretary Camilla Walter between 7.00 and 9.00 p.m. ONLY on 087 925 1716

Withdrawals and Refund of Entry Fees
Training Clinics: No refunds will be made for withdrawals after the closing date but substitution may be allowed.

Qualifiers and Final: A 50% refund after the closing date will be allowed but not later than 1.00 p.m. on the day before the competition.


Passports, Vaccinations and Microchips
All participating horses must, by law, be accompanied by a Passport. Valid passports for FEHL must show recorded breeding and identified breeder and must have micro-chip barcode for the purpose of identification.

Veterinary Inspection
Horses attending and/or competing in FEHL competitions/events/training may be required, by presiding Judges or Authorised Stewards, to undergo a veterinary examination (including blood/urine sampling and/or swabbing) before or subsequent to competition. Such examinations will be conducted under current best practice protocol. Inspection of boots/bandages may also be required by Officials.

The decision taken by FEHL subsequent to examinations/inspections will take immediate effect and will be final .

These are our (FEHL) standards which must be complied with. Our agenda is to showcase the better Irish bred horses' natural and genetic potential to maximum advantage without input from any artificial, chemical or contrived aids.

Veterinary Treatment
If, during an event, a horse requires veterinary treatment, the owner/rider or treating veterinary surgeon is obliged to inform the FEHL Secretary immediately.

Should treatment require the use of drugs or substances listed as "Prohibited Substances", the horse is automatically excluded from adjudication.

Lungeing
Lungeing is permitted only with the permission of the Organiser and only in designated areas. Offenders are liable to elimination. Under no circumstances may horses be lunged adjacent to horseboxes or spectator areas. Side-reins (properly fitted on either side of the saddle or surcingle) are admissible.

Schooling
Schooling over the Jumping course on the day of a competition is not permitted.

Protective clothing
Protective headgear is compulsory for the Jumping session of the Training Clinics, the Qualifiers and the Final. Back protectors are highly recommended.

Final
For the Final, a stamped and signed Veterinary Certificate for each horse, issued not later than 20 days before close of entries, is required. Vet cert forms will be available from the Secretary at the Qualifiers. Late entries or entries without the Veterinary Certificate will not be accepted. Certificates submitted to the RDS are acceptable for the FEHL Final.

Prize Winners at the Final
At the League Final, the Prize Winners must be mounted for the concluding prize-giving ceremony. In deference to our Sponsors, all Prize Winners must be present or represented at the prize-giving, correctly attired.

Health & Safety Statement and Disclaimer

Posted at the entrance to each FEHL venue will be the following two signs:

The Organisers of this event have taken all reasonable precautions to ensure the health and safety of everyone present. In order that these measures be effective, everyone entering these premises must take all reasonable care to avoid and prevent accidents. All persons present must obey at all times the instructions and directions of the Organisers and their designated Officials and Stewards.

All equestrian sports present an inherent risk of injury to both participants and bystanders. Neither the Landowners nor the Organisers of this event accept any responsibility whatsoever for accident, injury, loss or damage to any person, property or exhibit howsoever caused or occurring on these premises. All persons passing this sign enter this property at their own risk and are understood to have implicitly accepted the above Disclaimer.

Equestrianism is acknowledged as a high risk sport. We strongly advise all those attending FEHL events (riders, owners, spectators etc) to ensure that they have appropriate and adequate insurance (personal, hospital, third party and public liability) and are covered for all eventualities.