ALL-STEPS FORMATION RIDING

Competition-Specific Rules and Regulations

These rules provide everything required to compete in All-Steps Formation Riding (ASFR), including eligibility, equipment, judging criteria, and qualification pathways.

All tests are the property of All-Steps Formation Riding (ASFR) and may not be reproduced, distributed, or published without prior written permission.

Classes are open to all riders.

General Conduct and Ethics

To maintain a positive and professional atmosphere within the sport, members are asked to:

• Respect all laws governing copyright and fair use of protected material.
• Recognise that social media publications carry the same legal and ethical responsibilities as any other form of publication.
• Accept that the judge’s decision is final and not subject to discussion.

Awards and Insurance

• Rosettes awarded up to 6th place.
• No prize money is offered.
• ASFR maintains appropriate public liability insurance.
• Membership does not include personal public liability or personal accident insurance.
• Members are responsible for arranging their own personal insurance cover.

Welfare and Disciplinary Rulings

• Any blood found on a horse will result in immediate suspension from the competition.
• Lameness or welfare concerns may result in exclusion at the discretion of officials.
• The judge’s decision is final.

Entries

• Riders may ride twice in the same test, provided they are in different teams.
• Team riders may be changed up until the published closing date.
• Entry fees are non-refundable once accepted.
• ASFR reserves the right to refuse entry without providing a reason.
• Riders aged 16 and under must have parental consent.
• All competitors participate at their own risk.
• Test calling is permitted, including verbal cues from the two lead riders.
• By entering, competitors agree to abide by all ASFR rules.

Penalties

• Rule infringement: 5 penalty points per offence
• Error of test: 1 penalty point per error

Video Entries

All video submissions must comply with the following requirements:

• Filmed from the centre line behind the C marker, showing the entire arena. If it’s difficult to see the corners make the arena shorter by using poles in front of C.
• Camera must be positioned at C, kept still, and filmed in landscape.
• Video must include sound.
• Recording must begin at least 5 seconds before announcements and end 5 seconds after completion of the test.
• Videos must be unedited and submitted as one continuous file.
• Videos must not have been judged previously in any ASFR or other competition.

Opening Announcement (by riders only)

All riders must line up facing the camera and announce:

• Team name
• Each rider states their own name
• Date
• Test entered

The videographer must not speak at any point.

Submission Details

• Video title must include team name, date, and class entered.
• Videos must be uploaded to YouTube, set to private.
• The link must be sent to ASFR by the closing date.
• Results will be published 10 days after the closing date via Facebook, Instagram, and the ASFR website.

Communication During Filming

• No instruction or conversation permitted.
• Test calling is allowed.
• Riders may give timing cues (e.g. “3, 2, 1, turn”).

Penalties

• Rule infringement: 5 penalty points per offence
• Error of test: 1 penalty point per error

Championships and Leagues

• League, regional, and championship structures will be announced and governed by ASFR.

Tack Conformity

Permitted

• Bridles at all levels (no bit restrictions at present)
• Any style of saddle
• Short or long whips
• Spurs (maximum shank length: 1 inch)
• Saddle pads: white or coloured, team-matched
• Boots and bandages (must be uniform across the team)

Restrictions

• Under 18s may only wear spurs with prior permission.
• No Market Harboroughs, draw reins, or De Gogue-style training aids permitted.

Judging Criteria

Judges will assess:

• Uniform spacing between riders throughout the test
• Consistent rhythm across all horses
• Accuracy and fluency of movements
• Suitability and duration of music
• Overall harmony between horses and riders

The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Dress Code for Competitors

• Collared shirt
• White or beige breeches
• Tall boots or short boots with short chaps
• Show jacket (black, dark blue, or tweed)
• Stock or collar and tie (white or coloured)
• Gloves (dark or white)
• Approved riding hat meeting current safety standards (black or blue)
• Whips and spurs permitted
• Team gilets or jackets allowed if all riders match and may display embroidered team names

Horse Welfare

Fitness and Care

• Horses must be sound and fit to compete.
• ASFR officials may refuse entry if a horse is deemed unfit.

Farriery and Tack

• Hoof care and shoeing must be of a high standard.
• Tack must be correctly fitted and designed to prevent pain or injury.

Management

• Stabling, feeding, and training must support good welfare.
• Practices causing physical or mental suffering will not be tolerated.

Horse Identification and Vaccinations

• A valid horse passport must accompany each horse and be available on request.
• Vaccination requirements:
  • First vaccination
  • Second vaccination: 21–92 days after the first
  • Third vaccination: 150–215 days after the second
  • Annual booster thereafter
• Horses must not compete within 7 days of vaccination.
• All vaccinations must be recorded in the passport.

International Competition

• Horses competing internationally must comply with FEI vaccination regulations.

Warm-Up Arena Rules

• Warm-up areas are for quiet preparation only.
• Must follow paddock officials’ instructions.
• Only riders, grooms/helpers, and trainers permitted.
• Riders must pass left to left.
• Unsafe or disruptive conduct will be reported.

Organising Commissions

• Responsible for coordinating competitions.
• May set specific competition terms with ASFR approval.
• Must provide safe and appropriate facilities for horses and riders.

Judges

• Multiple judges may be appointed where entry numbers require.
• Judges must be positioned comfortably and in isolation to ensure impartiality.

1. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND COPYRIGHT

All tests, choreographies, movements, sequences, formations, written tests, diagrams, scoring systems, rulebooks, guidance notes, and any associated materials used or issued by All-Steps Formation Riding (ASFR) are the exclusive intellectual property of All-Steps Formation Riding.

These materials are protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, together with applicable intellectual property, database, and common law rights.

Ownership

• All intellectual property rights in ASFR tests and materials remain at all times the sole property of ASFR.
• No ownership or licence is transferred to competitors, members, organisers, or third parties by virtue of participation or membership.

Permitted Use

• ASFR tests and materials may be used only for the purpose of entering and competing in ASFR-authorised competitions.
• Use is limited to personal, non-commercial participation unless otherwise agreed in writing by ASFR.

Prohibited Use

Without prior written permission from ASFR, no person or organisation may:

• Copy, reproduce, scan, photograph, or digitally store tests
• Share tests privately or publicly
• Publish tests on websites, social media, or messaging platforms
• Adapt, modify, rebrand, or create derivative works
• Use ASFR tests in non-ASFR competitions, clinics, demonstrations, or commercial activities
• Sell or distribute tests in any format

This applies to all formats, including printed, digital, photographic, video, screenshot, and audio formats.

Enforcement

Unauthorised use of ASFR intellectual property may result in:

• Disqualification from competition
• Suspension or permanent exclusion from ASFR competitions
• Refusal of future entries
• Removal of published material
• Further legal action where appropriate

2. VIDEO ENTRIES AND LICENSING RIGHTS

Ownership and Licence

• Ownership of submitted videos remains with the creator.
• By submitting a video entry, competitors grant ASFR a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual licence to:
  • View, store, and assess the video for judging purposes
  • Retain the video for record-keeping
  • Use still images or short clips for official ASFR purposes, including promotion, results publication, and education

This licence does not permit ASFR to sell footage to third parties without additional consent.

Copyright Responsibility

• Competitors are solely responsible for ensuring that any music, images, footage, or other content used in their entry complies with copyright and licensing laws.
• ASFR accepts no responsibility or liability for any infringement arising from submitted content.
• Any costs, claims, damages, or legal actions arising from copyright infringement rest entirely with the competitor.

3. ACCEPTANCE OF RULES AND LEGAL STATUS

Binding Agreement

• Entry into any ASFR competition constitutes confirmation that the competitor has:
  • Read
  • Understood
  • Accepted all ASFR rules, regulations, and conditions.
• Acceptance of the rules forms a legally binding agreement between the competitor and ASFR.

Amendments

• ASFR reserves the right to amend, update, or clarify rules at any time.
• Revised rules take effect from the date of publication and apply to all entries thereafter.

4. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND RISK

Participation at Own Risk

• All competitors participate entirely at their own risk.
• ASFR accepts no responsibility for:
  • Injury, illness, or death of horses or riders
  • Damage to tack, vehicles, equipment, or personal property
  • Loss or theft of property
  • Accidents occurring during training, filming, warm-up, or competition

Insurance

• ASFR maintains appropriate public liability insurance for the organisation.
• Membership of ASFR does not include:
  • Personal public liability insurance
  • Personal accident insurance
• Competitors are responsible for arranging appropriate insurance cover for themselves and their horses.