ARC Equestrian Show Rules
General Rules
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Refunds will not be given except under exceptional circumstances i.e. cancellation of a show. Any refund decision will
be made at the discretion of the show organisers.
The Judges /show office decision is final.
Objections, if you have an objection to an incident/ result or competitor you may make an official objection. The
objection must be made in writing within 1 hour of the incident at the show office, and a payment made of £20 pound
cash. If your objection is upheld then the £20 will be returned.
Any misbehaviour or abuse to judges, stewards or officials of the show by any competitors, their representatives’
handlers or grooms is not acceptable and may result in the individuals being asked to leave the show.
Persons are admitted to the showground at their own risk, and while every endeavour is taken to ensure their safety,
the management will not be held responsible for personal injury, loss or damage to horse, rider, spectators or any
other person or property, and any loss, damage, cost and expense however caused.
If anyone is injured whilst on the showground (spectator or competitor) they must contact the medical team on site,
to have the injury treated and to record the injury on an accident report.
Competitors are responsible for being on time for their championship class; late arrivals may not be permitted into
the arenas. This will be at the judge's discretion.
No ridden horse or pony may enter the arena once the class has commenced trotting.
No in hand horse/ pony may enter the ring once the once the class has commenced trotting.
No Lunging of horses/ponies on the show ground at any time.
An animal must be shown in the name under which it was originally registered with the AHS, BMS, BSHA, BSPS,
CHAPS, NPS, Native Breed Stud Books, SHB(GB), BS or any other recognised passport issuing society.
Mountain and Moorland ponies must be registered in the main body of their respective Breed Society Stud Books to
compete in the Mountain and Moorland classes. Unless the schedule states that unregistered ponies can enter.
The identification of the animal must be in accordance with their National Passport, at all times.
Exhibitors are required by DEFRA to carry with them Passports for all horses/ponies when competing or travelling, and
must be produced on request.
Mares with a living foal born during the current season may not be shown in any ridden classes.
In Lead Rein riders will not be asked to dismount; the ponies will not be stripped; however they will still be assessed
for conformation. First Ridden ponies can be stripped at the discretion of the judge unless on health and safety
grounds it is unsafe to do so. This will be agreed at the discretion of the organiser and judge.
No animal or rider may leave the ring without permission of the judge or ring steward. Where a competitor has been
granted permission to leave the ring, it is the responsibility of the competitor to ensure they return before final
judging. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
No rider may ride more than one animal in a class.
Once a class has commenced there shall be no change of rider, except in a championship when a rider finds they have
more than one exhibit eligible to compete. The substitute rider must be eligible for the class and the ring steward
informed of the change of rider.
A fall of animal or rider whilst mounted in any class will result in disqualification and they MUST leave the ring
dismounted. If an animal gets loose from its handler whilst in the ring it will also result in disqualification.
Animals displaying continued disobedience may at the discretion of the judges be disqualified.
In all classes the rider must complete all phases unless they have a dispensation card from a relevant society or prior
permission from the organisers. Riders must be mounted for the presentation of rosettes.
On Health and Safety grounds all competitors must be in good general health and physically fit in order to take part. It
is advised that any Competitors found to be under the influence of excess alcohol or drugs will be immediately
disqualified.
Mobile telephones, ear pieces and communication devices MUST not be used in the ring.
Under no circumstances may tack be changed during the judging of a class.
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If competing in a championship the same tack used in the class must be worn. Whips are not considered tack.
Photographs may will be taken throughout the show by official photographers and these may appear on social media
and our website. Anyone not wanting photographs being displayed, they need to make the photographer aware
during the show, as the ARC equestrian take no responsibility for photographs appearing without consent. Where the
photographer has not ben made aware. it is assumed consent has been given.
Conflicts of interest
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A. An Exhibitor must not knowingly compete any horse/pony that has been bred, sold, leased, produced, broken,
ridden or trained by the judge, and/or his/her immediate family or his/her employer or by anyone with whom/she
resides since 1st January of the preceding year, stud fees are exempt .
B. A rider/handler may not show in a class judged by someone for whom he/she has exhibited in the show ring since
1st January of the preceding year.
C. A rider may not show a pony/horse in a class judged by any member of his/her immediate family.
D. An exhibitor may not show under a judge where he/she or their partner has entered into a financial/ commercial
undertaking or any other connection (business or otherwise) since 1st January of the preceding year (stud fees are
exempt)
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All horses and ponies must be in a sound and healthy condition. Any exhibit showing signs of distress or lameness will
be asked to leave the ring.
Anything that alters the natural colour or conformation of the horse or pony is strictly forbidden.
Age
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All ridden animals must be four years old and over. The age of an animal shall be calculated from the 1st January in
the year of its birth.
Foals must be at least 3 weeks old.
All competitors must be 3 years or over.
Lead rein competitors must not exceed the maximum age of 9 yrs. as at January in current year.
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First ridden competitors must not exceed the maximum age of 12yrs. As at 1 January in current year.
Handlers of stallions – must have reached the age of 16 yrs.
Dress, Whips, Bits, Bridles, Spurs and Hats
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Correct dress should be worn in all classes. Please note gaiters may be worn however Chaps are not permitted in any
class.
Body protectors may be worn and are recommended whilst competing in WHP classes and show Jumping Classes.
No bandages or protective pads on any animal's legs or feet are permissible in any class .
Tendon boots are allowed in all show Jumping classes.
All Working Hunter Pony classes - Boots of a plain colour only may be used for the jumping phase of Working Hunter
Pony classes on the ponies/horses front legs. NO Hind Boots or bandages must be worn on the hind legs in the
collecting ring, warm up area or in the actual class. Boots must be removed for the conformation section of the class.
Boots are not permitted for any other classes. For Working Hunter classes (Horses) – No Hind boots or bandages of
any description are allowed in the collecting ring, warm-up area or in the actual class.
Whips are not to exceed 75cm (30inch). Hunting crops are permissible. Misuse of the whip by any competitor in or
outside the arena will not be tolerated under any circumstances and any competitor in breach of this rule WILL be
asked to leave the show.
Snaffle bridles to be worn in all equitation classes.
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In W.H./W.H.P./Show Jumping classes the use of any nosebands and martingales are permitted.
Ridden classes to be ridden in any suitable bit or bridle, unless otherwise stated in individual class or affiliation rules.
If in the Judge’s opinion your horse/pony is deemed to be severely bitted you will be placed accordingly but not asked
to leave the ring.
In Lead Rein and First Ridden classes, Reins must be of a normal length and not knotted or stitched together in a short
loop. In Lead Rein classes the reins must not be attached to the saddle and must run directly from the bit to the child's
hands with no interruption.
In Lead Rein classes handles on saddles are permitted.
Spurs must NOT be worn in Equitation, Riding club pony or novice classes.
Spurs may only be worn by riders 17 years old and over, plastic, rowelled, pointed, sharpened and spurs over 3cm
long are not permitted.
Junior show jumpers may wear spurs under British Show jumping rules.
Correctly secured British Standard Skull Caps/Riding Hats that meet current BSI/European Safety Standards MUST be
worn by riders 18 years and under, plus ALL riders competing in intermediate , Mountain and Moorland classes and
riders in the jumping phase of the W.H./Show Jumping. Riders over 18 years of age are advised to wear a hat that
meets current safety standards. If they choose to wear non safety headgear it is entirely at their own risk and The ARC
Equestrian will not be responsible in any way for any incident.
A rider whose hat comes off will be disqualified with the exception of Bowlers, Hunting Caps and Top Hats where
permitted, when it must be passed up from the ground. A rider, whose strap comes undone whilst competing must on
penalty of disqualification, replace it or fasten it before continuing. The rider may stop without penalty to refasten the
strap.
Colts and stallions
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Colts/stallions, 2 years and over must wear a bridle in all classes and must not be entered in lead Rein, First Ridden,
young handler or any novelty classes. All Handlers of colts and stallions in hand or ridden 16 years of age or over.
Judges reserve the right to make discretionary decisions to withdraw a competitor at any point, where a stallion is
deemed dangerous or unmanageable within the showground.
All competitors must wear a yellow arm band when showing colts/stallions.
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