Warmup Ring Etiquette: Carleton Riding Club is very aware of health and safety and as such instructors / grooms / helpers are not permitted in the warm-up ring, accept to alter jump heights, and pick up poles. If encouragement / instruction is given, the person providing this is welcome to stand behind the rails provided this in carried out discreetly and doesn’t interfere with or distract fellow competitors. Please observe the left-to-left warm up etiquette and remember to look up and be aware of fellow competitors. If you are in walk on the track, please give way to all riders in trot and canter (this is the only time the left-to-left rule is not observed).

Please ensure you approach jumps correctly, paying attention to the red and white flag rule (red on your right, white on your left. Please be polite and obey the instructions of the Warm-up Ring Steward – they are present as a volunteer to ensure the show runs smoothly. If you do not obey our official volunteers, you will be asked to leave the show ground immediately and will not be permitted to compete.

Warm up is on a surface in the outdoor arena. Lunging is not permitted in the competition warm up area. However, lunging may be arranged with prior permission directly from Easton College, in another area.

DRESSAGE

Dressage Sections: Junior and senior sections will run in all classes regardless of numbers.

Dressage Judges: Where possible, we use British Dressage Listed Judges. When this is not possible our judges are either experienced competitors and/or unaffiliated judges. THE JUDGES DECISION IS FINAL.

Scoring: Scoring will take place in the café. Please respect the need for the scorers to work undisturbed and refrain from interrupting when they are busy.

Eligibility: Riders are asked to enter classes appropriate to the combination’s ability and experience. Riders underestimating their horses’ ability may be asked to consider completing the test HC and entering the next appropriate class. Competitors are classed as juniors for the whole season if they are under 18 on 1/1/22. Jackets must be worn; gaiters are permitted, as are leather half chaps in black or brown.

Numbers: A number MUST be worn, however unlike the current BD rulebook, it is NOT mandatory to wear a number on both sides of your horse/pony at our unaffiliated dressage shows. Please do ensure you wear at least one number either on the bridle or saddle cloth, to ensure no penalty is deducted from your score. The number is hugely important to the smooth running of the shows.

Dressage Tests: All dressage tests (excluding the Walk & Trot long arena test), are current British Dressage tests. Test sheets are available from British Dressage - www.britishdressage.co.uk Tel. 02476 698830. The Walk and Trot 2021 (long arena) test is available from a Committee Member and is published on the clubs Facebook page.

Guidance on entering the D1 (A & B): Combination not to have scored 67% or more in any dressage test on more than two occasions. Normal riding bit, martingale, and lead rein allowed. Intended for nervous riders, those trying dressage for the first time or a young horses’ first test. Riders affiliated to British Dressage may only enter this class HC.

Restrictions for D2 (A & B) and D3 (A & B): Horse/pony to have no British Dressage or British Eventing points (Inc. BE Foundation Points) as at 01/01/23 and / or combination not to have won more than two Prelim classes (unaff or aff) prior to 01/01/23 with a percentage of 67% or more.

Sunshine Tour Qualifiers: All Short Arena and Elementary Long Arena classes will run as qualifiers for the Sunshine Tour Championships at Hickstead Qualification dates are between 1st January and 31st July 2026. Further information on how to register and qualify can be found at Qualification & Registration – Sunshine Tour Championship.

SHOW JUMPING

Jumping Sections: Pony (up to 148 cm) and horse (over 148am) sections will run in all classes regardless of numbers.

Classes 1-3 will run as qualifiers for the BRC Club Show jumping Series. For more information on qualification please visit BRC Club Jumping Series.

Sunshine Tour Qualifiers: All classes will run as qualifiers for the Sunshine Tour Championships at Hickstead. Qualification dates are between 1st January and 31st July 2026. Further information on how to register and qualify can be found at Qualification & Registration – Sunshine Tour Championship

In order to comply with Sunshine Tour Qualification rules, there will be two sets of results for each class. One with placings split into Seniors and Juniors for Sunshine Tour Qualification only. League points and Rosettes will only be awarded for placings split into Ponies and Horses.

Show Jumping Judges: Accredited show jumping judges. THE JUDGES DECISION IS FINAL.
Course Builder: Stephen Dye or other accredited / experienced course builders.

All show-jumping classes are judged under the BRC Rules, exceptions as below:

Single phase: First and second section with a time allowed and time limit. Second Section against the clock. Faults to be accumulated over both sections. The competitor will jump the whole course unless they are eliminated. Number of fences: 5-7 fences in each section (max 12 fences overall). The second section must include at least 5 additional obstacles. The height of the second section should be set higher than those set for the first section.

The BRC rule of 4 faults for the first refusal, 8 faults for the second refusal and elimination for the third refusal will be applied.

Fall of rider and/or horse means immediate elimination and no other jumps in the ring may be attempted.

Non-Competing: HC jumping maybe permitted on payment of the appropriate entry fee. Any HC jumping rounds will be ridden at the end of the first round for each class at the judges’ discretion.

Entries will be accepted on a first come first served basis. Please ensure you enter promptly to avoid disappointment. If the show becomes full before the closing date, the entries will close in advance of the published date.

Show Jumping Entry fee: Members £13.00 per class, non-members £15.00 per class, first aid £4.00 per rider.
Dressage Entry fee: Members £14.50 per class, non members £18.50 per class, first aid £4.00 per rider.

Show Jumping Prizes: Rosette’s 1st – 6th in each class for each section (pony / horse)

In order to comply with Sunshine Tour Qualification rules, there will be two sets of results for each class. One with placings split into Seniors and Juniors for Sunshine Tour Qualification only. League points and Rosettes will only be awarded for placings split into Ponies and Horses.

Dressage Prizes: Rosette’s 1st – 6th in each class for each section (J/S).
Dressage Leagues: Leagues will run for both junior and senior sections of each class D2 – D7. .

Dressage Results: Usually, a score board will be available for viewing in the café. Sheets and rosettes will be available approx. 30 mins after each class has completed (if you are riding a second test under the same judge, your sheet from the first class will be available after you have ridden your second test).

Withdrawing: Entries close at midnight on the Tuesday prior to each show. If you find yourself in the unfortunate/disappointing position of needing to withdraw, you must email CarletonRCMRL@gmail.com before the times have been published for either a refund (less transaction fees) or a transfer to the next consecutive dated show. Refunds or transfers will NOT be offered once the times have been published. You may offer your entries for sale on the Carleton Riding Club Facebook page. Please email any changes to the above email address.

Eligibility: The schedule has been complied to give a gradual progression of jumping courses to suit the various abilities of pony / horse and rider. Club members wishing to participate in the BRC Area qualifiers are expected to compete in the classes of appropriate standards. Any riders underestimating their pony / horse’s ability may be asked to compete HC or enter the next appropriate class.

Showjumping - The club considers that three consecutive height classes as the maximum number of classes a horse or pony may enter. Those combinations competing in the 40cm and 50cm classes are not eligible to enter classes 4 – 6 as this class is aimed at novice pony / horse and rider. Jackets are expected to be worn; gaiters are permitted, as are leather half chaps in black or brown.

Disputes: In all cases of dispute, a written protest should accompany a deposit of £10.00 and be delivered to the Show Secretary before 6pm on the show day, otherwise the protest will not be considered. The Show Secretary shall as soon as possible after receipt, give notice of the protest to the Committee members present and if possible decide the case before the conclusion of the show; otherwise, it will be referred to the Committee for later determination. In either case, the decision shall be final. The deposit of £10.00 will be forfeit save in the event that the protest is upheld. When the protest has been determined all parties shall be notified of such determination.