2323 Title: SO ILL Equestrian Rule Interpretations FG-23 SECTION A - GENERAL RULES A-1. A-2. A-3. A-4. A-5. In cases not covered by these interpretations, Special Olympics Inc., American Horse Shows Association (AHSA) and American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) rules will govern. Rules can be downloaded at www.specialolympics.org. In order to participate in Equestrian Competition, the Equestrian coach or Equestrian facility must be PATHi (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) accredited. For PATHi certification information please contact the Director of Sports and Competition. Athletes must train in a PATHi approved facility or with a PATHi certified instructor and participate in 2 sanctioned competitions. The Games Rules Committee will make all final decisions. Athletes can participate in a maximum of 2 events and the events must be the same level. At all times athletes are expected to compete to the best of their ability to ensure a quality competition at all levels. Coaches are expected to provide accurate/honest information of their athlete s ability. SECTION B - OFFICIAL EVENTS B-1. Events offered: a. English Equitation b. Stock Seat Equitation c. Working Trails d. Showmanship at Halter e. Dressage SECTION C - COMPETITION UNIFORMS C-1. C-2. No advertising or sponsorship is allowed to be worn on competition uniforms or warm-ups. Athletes will not be allowed to wear jewelry (pins, earrings, bracelets or necklaces) or awards during competition. Exception for English attire: Stockpin on ratcatcher collar for English shirt will be allowed. No jean shorts or street shoes will be allowed to be worn during the competition. Athletes will be expected to dress appropriately for the weather and competition. Athletes not in the proper attire will be disqualified. Apparel: a. program T-shirt/sweatshirt b. blue jeans c. riders must wear a boot with a heel (1/2 inch minimum). If a boot cannot be worn for medical reasons, a physician s note must be submitted with the entry. Athletic shoes with orthotics are permitted with a physician s note. No street shoes or open toed shoes will be allowed. d. SEI-ASTM or BHS approved helmet (Must be fastened at all times athletes are working around horses.) e. Riders are not permitted to wear articles of clothing with company names (i.e., John's Pizza) on them during competition. Your program names are not considered a company. C-3. If you have appropriate equestrian attire it may be worn in place of program attire and blue jeans. English attire may be worn with Western tack when one horse is used for multiple riders in the Trail class or if a tack change must be made.
2424 Title: SO ILL Equestrian Rule Interpretations FG-24 C-4. C-5. C-6. All English riders are required to use peacock safety stirrups, S-shaped stirrup, or Devonshire boots. Western riders must use tapederos or other approved safety stirrups. Western riders may not use little dude stirrups. English safety stirrups may also be used on a western saddle with stirrup keepers securely fastened. Horse tack must explicitly follow the rules of the American Horse Shows Association (AHSA), the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and Special Olympics. Halters are required for all supported classes. A lead line must be attached to the halter and not to the bridle. The halter may be over or under the bridle as long as it doesn't interfere with the use of the bit or reins. The halter and lead line must be leather or nylon. Lead line must be attached to the halter ring under the horse s chin (not on the side). Chains are prohibited except for the showmanship classes. SECTION D - DEFINITIONS D-1. D-2. D-3. Support - rider must have the presence of a leader holding the lead. The physical support of 1 or 2 sidewalkers is optional. Any help in the arena is considered "supported." Sidewalkers or leaders are not allowed to coach in the ring or provide verbal cues. Independent - independent rider, may not be helped while competing. Physical limitation - unable to post at the trot for English Equitation classes. SECTION E - DIVISIONING E-1. E-2. E-3. When necessary, open age groups will be used for divisioning. A Level: Walk, Trot/Jog, Canter/Lope - Independent only The rider is expected to compete at a Walk, Trot/Jog, Canter/Lope with no modifications to NGB rules. Coaches will only be allowed in the ring if a request in writing has been submitted. B Level: Walk and Trot/Jog The rider is expected to compete at a Walk, Trot/Jog with no modifications to NGB rules. a. Supported - can physically perform any class requirement with support. E-4. C Level: Walk Only Riders will ride at the walk with no modifications to NGB rules. a. Supported - can physically perform any class requirement with support. E-5. Riders with physical limitations The limitation must be indicated on the entry form. Those riders will wear an armband to indicate that they have a physical limitation. Physical limitations will be considered in divisioning and judging.
2525 Title: SO ILL Equestrian Rule Interpretations FG-25 SECTION F JUDGING CRITERIA FOR ALL CLASSES F-1. The following criteria will be taken into consideration when judging the rider: a. ability to communicate commands to their horse, i.e.: walking on, trotting, turning, lining up, halting b. response of the horse to the rider's commands c. ability to follow directions d. to watch where they are going, i.e.: heads and eyes up e. safety awareness, i.e.: appropriate spacing f. ring etiquette and sportsmanlike conduct g. receives coaching or verbal cues in the ring SECTION G - EQUITATION - CLASS ROUTINES AND EXPECTATIONS G-1. G-2. G-3. G-4. All riders will ride around the ring in both directions at all required gaits, in a group and/or individually at the command of the judge. Riders will perform the gaits appropriate for their division. All riders will be asked to back their horses. All riders may be required to execute any appropriate patterns as determined by the Special Olympics Illinois Equestrian Sports Management Team. SECTION H - ENGLISH EQUITATION CLASS ROUTINE H-1. H-2. H-3. H-4. H-5. Competitors will enter ring at a called for gait. They must be worked both ways of the ring. They must always be on the correct diagonal if appropriate. Entrants may be required to line up and back up their horse on command. Any or all riders may be required to execute any appropriate patterns included in the class requirements. All patterns used must be on the flat. Patterns may be performed either collectively or individually, but no other patterns may be used. Patterns will be distributed after the Intent to Participate has been submitted from the agency. Components from which the judges may choose include in English Equitation: a. Halt (4 to 6 seconds); b. Figure eight at trot, demonstrating change of diagonals. c. Figure eight at canter on correct lead, demonstrating simple change of lead; demonstrating simple or interrupted change of lead; d. Work collectively at walk, trot or canter; e. Hand gallop to a halt (4 to 6 seconds); f. Execute serpentine at a trot demonstrating change of diagonal; g. Change leads on a line demonstrating simple or interrupted change of lead; h. Perform circles at any gait appropriate for the division; i. Turn on forehand and/or haunches. j. Reverse direction at the halt, walk, trot and/or canter.
2626 Title: SO ILL Equestrian Rule Interpretations FG-26 SECTION I - STOCK SEAT EQUITATION CLASS ROUTINE I-1. Competitors will enter ring at a walk or a jog and are judged at a flatfoot four beat walk, 2 beat jog and 3 beat lope in accordance with the division specifications I-2. I-3. I-4. I-5. They must always be on the correct lead. Entrants may be required to line up and back up their horse on command. Any or all riders may be required to execute any appropriate patterns included in the class requirements. Patterns may be performed either collectively or individually, but no other patterns may be used. Instructions must be publicly announced. Patterns will be distributed after the Intent to Participate has been submitted from the agency. Components from which the judges may choose for Stock Seat Equitation: a. Large circle at walk, jog b. Perform a halt c. Reverse direction from a halt or walk or jog or lope d. Lope stop e. Perform turn on haunches SECTION J - WORKING TRAILS J-1. Required Obstacles: (Obstacles are listed in Section H - Trail in the Official Special Olympics Inc Rule Book version October 2014. J-2. Riders in Division A: a. The course will include 3 elements from the mandatory list and at least 3 from the optional list. b. The course will be a minimum of 6 elements and a maximum of 10. J-3. Riders from C and B Independent Divisions: a. The course will include 3 elements from the mandatory obstacles. b. The course will be a minimum of 5 elements and a maximum of 7. c. If a gate is used in this division, the rider will be asked to open the gate only and pass through but not close it. J-4. Riders from C and B Divisions with support: a. The course will include 2 elements from the mandatory obstacles. b. The course should be a minimum of 4 elements and a maximum of 6. c. If a gate is used in this division, for the safety of the side walkers, the rider will be asked to pass through an open gate only, not open/close the gate. SECTION K - SHOWMANSHIP AT HALTER K-1. K-2. Horses may be shown in a halter for both English and Western athletes. The use of a halter chain is permitted. Chain is only allowed under chin of horse. Level A Riders will be expected to trot their horse back to the line and square their horse up. No spotters are permitted.
2727 Title: SO ILL Equestrian Rule Interpretations FG-27 K-3. K-4. K-5. Level B Riders are permitted a spotter and will be expected to trot their horse back to the line and square up their horse. Level C Riders are permitted a spotter and do not have to square their horse. All level riders will be judged on their ability to handle and show their horse with safety, as a major consideration. The quarter method must be used. Also, taken into consideration will be: a. appearance of horse, equipment and athlete b. correct holding of the lead strap (folded not coiled) c. willingness of the horse to move out at the walk and trot (trot where applicable) d. rider's awareness of the judge, i.e.: attention and eye contact e. turning their horse in the correct direction f. proper spacing g. rider's ability to handle the horse without the assistance of the spotter h. coaching or verbal cues SECTION L DRESSAGE L-1. L-2. Only independent levels A, B and C will compete in the Dressage competition. Agencies may provide their own reader or request that the games committee provide one. Reader can use announcers PA.