Equine Risk Management
Specific to Driving Competition Activities


Rules And Actions Required By The Show Committee:

  • The judge must excuse from competition an unsafe vehicle, unruly horse or driver clearly out of control.
  • Junior drivers under 14 years of age must be accompanied in the carriage by a knowledgeable adult horse person. Failure to comply will incur elimination.
  • Under no conditions shall a bridle be removed from a horse while it is still put to a vehicle. Bridles should fit snugly to prevent catching on the vehicle or other pieces of harness. Failure to comply will incur elimination.
  • The horse(s) must never be Ieft unattended while put to a vehicle.
    Failure to comply will incur elimination.
  • One groom is required for a pair or tandem to assist in the event of difficulty. Two grooms are required for four-in-hands or unicorns to assist in the event of difficulty. When grooms are required, failure to comply will incur elimination.
  • The driver must always be the first person to enter the vehicle and the last to leave. Passengers must never be left on a vehicle while the driver is dismounted unless the passenger has taken control of the reins.

Grounds Rules Will Apply And Be Enforced By The Show Management:

  • No excessive speed permitted in the warm up area.
  • Putting to/unhitching is to be done in designated areas only, not in barn aisles or stable area.
  • A competent groom/header MUST be in place and heading horses at all times when a multiple hitch is being put to or unhitched.
  • All groom/headers MUST be capable of controlling the hitch they are attending.
  • When a hitch is left in the care of a groom/header, the groom/header MUST have the lines in their hands at all times.
  • No horse shall be lunged, double lunged, or ground driven while hitched to a vehicle. Failure to comply will incur elimination.
  • Bridles must be equipped with a throatlatch and a noseband or cavesson,
  • When grooms are required they MUST accompany the vehicle at all times that the hitch is being driven on the grounds.
  • The vehicle that a junior driver uses MUST be capable of having the adult sit on the seat beside them, not behind them.
  • When passengers take control of the lines from a driver, they MUST be capable of driving the horse(s).

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