BURGHLEY SELECTION CRITERIA 2019
These criteria to be made public on the Rufford Hunt PC Website
As in previous years, we will enter a team of four members to compete against other Midlands’ based Pony Clubs at the Burghley Horse Trials in August/September.
Many members aspire to take part in this competition but each year, regrettably, it is only available to 4 members which can lead to disappointment.
The final selection of the team plus reserve is made during August. The team selection and other information will be notified by email.
THE COMPETITION
The competition consists of 2 elements – turnout and show jumping.
The Best Turned Out team is awarded the HAREWOOD TROPHY (already won by the Rufford Team four times). It is important that members of the team dress in the same way, so we stipulate that, if possible, all members in the team wear a Tweed Hacking Jacket, Pony Club Stock, Beige Jods, Black Gloves, Hat and Boots. The tack worn must be clean and in good condition and all members should wear a WHITE Rufford saddlecloth (if you don’t have one, please ask if there is one that you can borrow). All horses/ponies must be plaited (preferably sewn) and un-pulled tails also to be plaited to the end of the dock. There should be no bling.
There are specific rules associated with the Burghley competition as follows:
Run under BSJA Rules, Table A7, Speed 325 metres/min and General Rules for Pony Club Show Jumping. Maximum height first round will be 1.05m and second round 1.10m. The competition will be run in one section for teams of three or four horses, or ponies, each to be ridden by a different rider, none of whom have attained their 18th birthday by the day of the competition. Each team will jump the course once and the winning team will be the one with the least number of faults, adding together the faults of the 3 best horses in each team. In the event of equality of faults there will be a jump-off, in which the whole team will participate; should this produce equality of faults again, the team with the shortest aggregate time for the 3 riders with the least number of faults will be the winner.
Entries will be limited to horses/ponies in the team that have NOT:
Ever been registered with BS at Grade A or B (horses) or presently registered JA (ponies)
Ever been registered with BE at Advanced level
Ever been shortlisted for a British Eventing or British Showjumping team with the current rider
In addition a maximum of 2 team members only can be entered if the horse/pony and rider combination in this competition has competed at OPEN level at the Pony Club eventing or showjumping championships in the current year.
Similarly entries will not be accepted if any rider in the team has in the current year been shortlisted for a British Eventing or British Showjumping team.
VACCINATIONS: Horses must have been vaccinated to comply with the Burghley Horse Trials requirements of a primary course (1st vaccination and then 2nd vaccination between 21-92 days later); followed by the first booster (150-215 days) and all subsequent boosters. Horses may compete having received the primary course and prior to the first booster but not within 7 days of receiving a vaccine dose. Horses must have been vaccinated within 6 months before the 5th September but not less than 7 days of arriving at the show. Random checks will be carried out at the Event and we urge all owners to adhere to strict biosecurity protocols at all times.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
Each branch compiles its own criteria for Burghley team selection. Officers of the Rufford Hunt Branch Committee have agreed the following. Please note that these are not in any particular order of priority.
Only those members and horse/pony combinations which have been competing regularly during the current season at Pony Club showjumping events at 1m and above will be considered for selection
Those members and horse/pony combinations who regularly compete in Pony Club Eventing or Combined Training competitions where the show jumping round is 1m or above will also be considered.
The consistency of current and previous performance (if necessary) of member and horse/pony at 1m and above level will be taken into consideration.
Only Pony Club competition results to count towards selection criteria – NO BS, BE or NSEA results will be taken into account.
Length of time in this branch will be taken into consideration to ensure that new members in 2019 are not given priority over those members who have been active for longer, unless there is no other candidate for selection.
The age of member and opportunity for future years’ selection will be taken into account.
Only active members and horse/pony combinations will be considered and we require a minimum of 3 working rallies to have been attended during the current selection period (September to August). Camp counts as 1 rally.
Members and horse/pony combinations will be considered who have demonstrated their commitment to training by attendance at Rufford Hunt show jumping training sessions (evening or full day). These are held at a number of locations and with different trainers to ensure all members can participate if they wish.
Members and horse/pony combinations will be considered who have shown their commitment to team show jumping at the required level by participating in Area 6 inter branch/centre competitions as well as Area 6 Area competitions.
It is against Pony Club rules for us to select a horse/pony who is taking medication which could mask lameness, for instance.
A member and horse/pony combination who participates in Dengie Open Competitions will also be considered for selection. (This Dengie competition is the only one that runs at 1.05m).
Member input prior to or following the selection and coaching session (they have been known to withdraw at this stage) will be taken in account.
Availability of member for selection and coaching will be taken into account but does not necessarily exclude a member as some members maybe on summer vacation during this period. If selected, the selection committee would need to know that the horse/pony was being kept fit during the member absence.
Members who are selected to be part of the team or as a reserve, are required to attend the team practice with a professional show jumping coach, following selection. At this practice they will be asked to bring with them the correct tack and dress to be worn on the day of the competition. If a member is unwilling to attend this practice their team place may be given to another member.
Members who are selected to be part of the team or as a reserve, are required to conform to a strict tack/dress code. If a member is unwilling to conform to this code their place may be given to another member.
Availability of member for the actual competition (it sometimes falls on a school day) – this year the event falls on Thursday 5th September.
If a horse/pony which is part of the member/horse/pony combination selected is unable to participate due to lameness/illness/injury then the place will be handed down to the designated reserve.
The selection committee acknowledges that any member may not fulfil all of the above criteria and failure to meet all of the above criteria does not preclude the member from being selected.
SELECTION PROCESS
Following a review of the criteria in July/August, the selection committee will determine if a selection trial is required as there may be a team of members or individual members who fulfil most of the criteria and clearly stand out. This avoids unnecessary disappointment from other qualifying members who would not be selected.
However, if a selection trial is deemed to be required, all qualifying members will be asked via email if they wish to attend and must confirm their participation by email to Debbie Dawson and also confirm that they have read and understood the selection criteria.
The selection trial and any subsequent training will be held on grass as the Burghley Horse Trials Pony Club Team Showjumping competition is also held on grass.
Following the selection process with a professional show jumping coach the selection committee will meet to discuss the performance of the members and their horses/ponies as well as discussing previous performance during the year.
All members who have attended the session will be informed via email of the decision regarding selection.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
For 2019 will be Debbie Dawson, Diane Shepheard, Ruth Hall and input from the Showjumping Coach.
SPECIAL NOTE
In accordance with the published Pony Club Health and Safety Rules (Section 18) parents/guardians are reminded that they should not disrespect nor dispute the decisions of coaches/officials and should not enter into criticism of officials, instructors, volunteers or other members on social networking sites or by the use of text messaging.
The criteria outlined above will be reviewed annually to assess any need to change to meet prevailing conditions. The criteria will be published to the Rufford Hunt website.
If you have any queries about the above, please contact DIANE SHEPHEARD – [email protected] or 07907906931
RUFFORD HUNT PC BURGHLEY CRITERIA
2019 Page
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