Applicable to Organisation of the Games
These rules will apply to all races unless varies by the rules of a particular race.
TEAMS will consist of a minimum of four riders and ponies and a maximum of five riders and ponies. Once a competition has begun, the five riders and ponies stated on the declaration form may not be substituted. Ponies must not exceed 14.2hh (148cm), excluding shoes if worn.
County Representatives and Team Trainers are asked to pay special attention to the safety and weight of riders in relation to the size of their pony. If the referee deems a rider to be overweight or unsafe, that rider may be eliminated from the event.
AGE LIMITS FOR TEAM COMPETITIONS. The following age limits will apply in all competitions organised by the Association:
MINIS - Under 12 years of age
JUNIORS - Under 17 years of age
OPEN - any age
All ages to be taken as on 1st January of the year in which the competition takes place.
SADDLERY
Saddles. Ponies must have correctly fitting leather or synthetic saddles with full trees. Saddles with half trees are not permitted.
Bits. Bits must be well made and well fitting and must not be used in a way that causes pain or distress to the pony. The following cheek styles and mouth pieces for bits are permitted.
Cheek style: Simple snaffle (single rein) cheeks, eg Hanging Cheek; Eggbutt; Loose Ring; D-Ring; Fulmer. Cheeks which fix the position of the bridle via the cheek pieces to stabilise the mouthpiece and hold it off the horse’s tongue when not engaged by the rider are encouraged, eg Hanging Cheek, Fulmer with keepers and slotted cheek styles as used in the Myler system. Cheek styles incorporating an excessive degree of leverage, eg gags or cheeks with a cheek bar longer than 3.5 inches are not permitted.
Mouthpieces: Mullen mouths, single jointed snaffles & double jointed (3 piece) snaffles with a smooth-acting central section (ie French link, lozenge or barrel). 3 piece bits where the central section is set at an angle to intensify the pressure on the tongue are not permitted (eg Dr Bristol style bits.) Ports to give the tongue room to swallow are permitted styles of mouthpieces, but must not be used to cause pressure on the roof of the horses mouth. Jointed mouthpieces designed to limit the “nutcracker” effect on the bars and outer lips, and those offering sides which move independently of one another through a central brushing system, (provide this has a sleeve to protect the horse’s tongue), are also encouraged.
Materials: Bits may be made from a single metal or a combinations of metals, plastic, rubber or similar materials. Bits must be in good condition, with no sharp edges, rust or worn areas ( a particular risk with of the softer materials). Intended corrosion on sweet iron bits or similar compounds, is permitted providing the bit is well-maintained.
Bit attachments and associated “Training Aids”. No additions to bits such as curb chains, tongue grids etc are permitted. If a bit is correctly fitted and used, equipment such as crank, flash and grackle nosebands should not be necessary. Martingales must be correctly fitted so as not to interfere with the action of the bit or the natural carriage of the pony.
General: All bits must be well-made, in good condition and properly fitted. Good dental care is a pre-requisite of good bitting and the pony’s teeth may be inspected as part of the equipment check.
Members should be aware of the importance that appropriate bitting has in effective communication and to their own pony’s welfare. The MGAGB regards familiarisation with the basics of equine mouth anatomy, swallowing, resistance and bit action as a basic requirement of good horsemanship. Competitors should be able to describe the action of their mount’s bit and explain why they have chosen it.
Blinkers: The use of blinkers is not permitted.
The Referee and or any nominated representative may inspect any pony/team and its tack at any time. His/Her ruling as to safety and/or severity will be final.
DRESS. Jodhpurs and Jodhpur boots will be worn by all riders. All members of a team must wear jodhpurs of the same colour, preferably black or navy. Riding hats must conform to the following approved standards: PAS 015, EN 1384, ASTM F1163, ASTM SNELL E95, SNZ 3838(1998), SEI ASTM 95, SNELL E2001. The hat MUST be fitted with a secure chin strap or harness which MUST be fastened at all times whenever mounted. If a chin strap accidentally becomes undone during a race, the rider must IMMEDIATELY fasten the chin strap. Failure to do so will incur elimination. In the Pony Express race, if the "postman" is a riding member of the Association, an approved riding hat, securely fastened, shall be worn.
All jewellery must be removed during competition. Jewellery which cannot be removed must be taped up.
Special team colours, bearing the logo of the Association and the name of the County or Regional team, will be worn in all competitions organised by the Association.
REFEREE. All competitions organised by the Association will be under the overall control of the Referee, whose decision in all matters is final.
GAMES RULES. All games organised by the Association will be run according to the Games Rules as found in the International Mounted Games Association Rules Book.
ARENA PARTY. The Arena Party must have a thorough knowledge of the equipment and its position in each game. Where the competitors start with a piece of equipment, a person should be specially delegated to supervise this.
OBJECTIONS. NO objections or representations to any of the Officials in charge of the Competition will be permitted after the briefing. Any objection may only be made by a County Representative or their appointed representative. No objections may be made to any decisions made by the Referee.
OFFICIALS ONLY are allowed in the arena once the Competition has started. Only ONE Trainer per team may be in the arena during a competition. Any infringement of this rule will incur the disqualification of the team concerned.
HAT BANDS. The last member of each team must finish wearing a distinctive hat band, not less than 1½ inches wide and the hat band must not be changed from one rider to another once the race has started. Any infringement will entail elimination. If the hat band becomes displaced during the race the last rider may replace it but must cross the start/finish line with it in place. Hat bands should normally be either black or white.
SPURS AND WHIPS are not allowed and substitutes for a whip, such as a baton or the reins, are not permitted. Any such use will incur elimination. Hitting the pony with the hand to act as an aid is not permissable.
BAD OR UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOUR by a team, rider or supporters, including intimidation of officials, will incur elimination of the team or individual concerned. Any rider using foul or abusive language during a race will be eliminated from that race. Abuse of equipment, i.e. throwing equipment to the ground in temper, shall also be considered to be unsportsmanlike behaviour and will incur elimination. All members will be bound by the MGAGB Disciplinary Code relating to behaviour. A copy of the Code will be given to each member upon first joining the Association. Members will be deemed to have accepted the Disciplinary Code by joining the Association.
STIMULANTS. The use of any artificial stimulant for either rider or ponies is strictly forbidden.
PLASTER. No rider will be allowed to ride if they have a limb or any other part of their body in plaster.
GUEST RIDERS. If a team wishes to enlist the support of a rider who is not a member of the Association to help out in an emergency, the membership subscription need not be paid provided this member only competes once in a season in Tournaments organised by the Association. In place of the membership number on the Declaration form, the words "Guest Rider" should be substituted. Any team using a Guest Rider must complete Hors Concours unless all other competing teams agree otherwise. Only one Guest or Borrowed Rider per team is permissible. If a rider wishes to take part on a second occasion then they must join the Association and become a member of this team. In the Inter Counties Championship Guest and Borrowed Riders are NOT permitted. For external shows, the use of Guest Riders is at the organisers discretion.
BORROWED RIDERS. Where a team is unexpectedly short of a rider and might otherwise have to cancel their show entry, a rider may be borrowed from another team only with the consent of the rider's County Representative. "Borrowed Riders" must be entered on the Declaration Form in place of the membership number. Any team with a borrowed rider must complete Hors Concours unless all other competing teams agree otherwise. Only one borrowed or guest rider per team is permissible. Any rider who is a member of the MGAGB and who does not belong to a team is listed under "sundries". Any sundries rider who rides for a team then becomes a member of that team. Borrowed riders will not be permitted in the Inter Counties Championship. For external shows, riders may be borrowed with the consent of the Referee, by using the rider's pool list. For internal shows other than the Inter Counties, Borrowed Riders may be allowed at the organisers discretion.
RIDERS POOL LIST FOR SHOWS. If a rider is available to compete at a show at which their team is not entered they may, with the consent of their County Representative, put their name forward for the riders pool list held by the Head Office. Should a team wish to borrow a rider for a show, this should be arranged through the Head Office.
HORS CONCOURS. Whenever a team, pair or individual are riding Hors Concours, they may compete as normal but they shall not be awarded any points. For the presentation, they will take last place.
USE OF THE VIDEO.
At competitions where a video camera is used to record the order in which competitors cross the finish line, that video camera may also be used to help the Referee with any decisions that involve the start or finish line. An Assistant to the Referee should be in the judges box and be responsible for checking the video recording.