Gear Checking

To everyone taking part in Pony Club Activities - we hope you find these notes useful in clearing up any possible misunderstandings of the Gear Checking Manual.

 

To all

 

GEAR CHECKERS - when finding problems with gear, please deal with it tactfully, not aggressively. 

RIDERS - make sure your gear is safe, well fitting and correct for the activity.

 

 

Gear Checking Report Forms do not appear to have been received by the Office.  It would be great to think that all events have been problem free including the Championships!  These reports are invaluable to help deal with problem areas with Gear etc within Clubs and Zones.

 

 

Please ensure all Clip Fasteners (particularly the smaller ones on the Shiny Cuddly Pony type helmets) are clicked up securely as it has been known for some to come undone whilst the rider is performing an activity.

 

Helmets with 2063 standard still appear to be sold and used.  Clubs need to advise their members to check carefully when buying sales items at stores.

 

 

These are NOT permitted to be worn at any mounted activity.

 

 

Please note that it is for Eventing Dressage that Dressage Whips cannot be carried.  Page 106 of the GC Manual has been amended.

 

Dressage whips may be carried for 'pure' or ordinary Dressage (as per page 91 in the Gear Check Manual).

 

 

In Eventing, only one Bridle number/Saddle Cloth number is required for the Dressage and Showjumping phases.  Front and back numbers required for Cross Country Phase.

 

If anyone is doing Official EFA Dressage, then two (2) Bridle numbers/Saddle Cloth numbers are to be used.

 

 

Medical Armbands must be worn on the left upper arm so that medical personnel know exactly where to look for this information in the case of an accident. 

 

The information on the Medical Armband must be for that rider (ie not borrowed from someone else - this does happen!).

 

Parents, Grooms etc lungeing a horse are to wear the competitor's Bib number or horse's Bridle number.

 

 

These are currently being evaluated for use at Pony Club Activities.

 

Any variations of these bits are not to be accepted for use in Pony Club - the mouthpieces are not smooth and the Combination Bit incorporates a Hackamore type leverage  (Hackamores are NOT permitted at Pony Club Activities.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note that some Stockman's Breastplates are being sold with clips, rather than buckles, for attachment to the saddle, and that these clips must be fastened with the opening part of the clips towards the horse

 

 

Horse/pony must have either:

4 Unshod Hooves (Well Trimmed)

or         Front Hooves Shod, Back Hooves Unshod

or         Back Hooves Shod, Front Hooves Unshod

or         All Hooves Shod

 

 

For Boots with only one metal loop fastener to thread the Velcro through, taping is optional.

 

 

There is no such thing as an ?UNOFFICIAL' Pony Club Activity.

 

ALL PONY CLUB ACTIVITIES ARE RUN UNDER PCAWA RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS, INCLUDING GEAR CHECKING REQUIREMENTS AS PER THE 2004 GEAR CHECKING MANUAL.

 

RIDERS AND THEIR MOUNTS MUST BE GEAR CHECKED AT ALL PONY CLUB ACTIVITIES

(Rallies, Ode's, Training Days, Trail Rides, Jumping, Competition Days Etc).

 

 

§                     Warm-Up Area for jumping to be clearly defined.

§                     Only 2/3 riders permitted in the Warm-Up Area at a time.

§                     An extra Marshal will probably be needed for Warm Up Area.

§                     Riders must be Gear Checked prior to jumping in the Warm-Up Area

§                     This Gear Check will then apply for the Competition/Training Round etc

 

 

THESE CODES OF CONDUCT SHOULD BE INCLUDED WITH ACTIVITY SCHEDULES AND INFORMATION.

 

See PCAWA Handbook, Section VI (Green Section)

 

§                     Page 4 - Rider's Code of Behaviour

§                     Page 5 - Parent/Guardian's Code of Behaviour

§                     Page 6 - Administrator's Code of Behaviour

§                     Page 7 - Official's Code of Behaviour

§                     Page 8 - Spectator's Guide of Behaviour

 

 

Ideally a Gear Check Briefing should be held at the start of the competition and a Chief Gear Checker appointed.

 

Any queries to be directed firstly to the Chief Gear Checker and then to the Steward.

 

 

Stewards must consult with the Gear Checker before making a decision, they must then sign off on the Gear Check Report Form (ie -  the Steward then takes responsibility for that rider's gear and dress).

 

 

Bad behaviour/ language / abuse to any official (including Gear Checkers) by either a Rider, Parent, Team Manager, Coach, Club Official etc, is a reportable offence to the Chief Gear Checker / Steward / Judge and can entail elimination / disqualification of the competitor.

 

 

If you aren't the appointed Gear Checker at an event (eg ODE), and you see illegal and dangerous gear passing the Gear Check: Accredited / Experienced Gear Checkers - report immediately to the Steward of the event.

 

If a rider presents in incorrect gear or attire (eg incorrect coloured jodhpurs, stirrup irons too small etc) - STAND YOUR GROUND, show them the relevant page in the GC Manual, send them away to address the problem (eg they can borrow from someone else

 

Clubs need to (must) Gear Check their riders in their competition outfits and gear.

 

Riders and Parents need to be reminded to check the dress and gear requirements prior to an activity.

 

It has been known for riders to feign ignorance and turn up again at another event with the same problem!

 

 

Clubs will be advised of repeat offenders and the "3 strikes and out" rule will be implemented.

 

This cannot be implemented if the Gear Checkers Report Forms are not returned to PCAWA Headquarters

 

It is the Organiser's responsibility to make sure that Gear Checkers have a copy of the Gear Check Report Form and the completed form is returned to PCAWA Headquarters

 

 

Open Riders riding under PCAWA Rules must obey the PCAWA Rules for Gear and Dress for that activity.

 

Riding at their own risk is not an option when riding under PCAWA Rules.

 

Obeying the PCAWA rules for gear and dress is to cover the Open Riders for insurance and to cover PCAWA officials and the organising committee under the PCAWA'S Risk Management Policy.

 

 

Ask the Steward to verify a ?sight gear check' if the Gear Checker cannot get near horse to check for safety (stitching, stirrup bars down etc).

 

Steward to "sign-off" on Gear Check Report Form.

 

 

It is up to the judge/examiner to give permission for a rider to remove their jumper (if hot) or put on wet weather gear in wet conditions.

 

Use of neck wraps soaked in cold water and placed at back of neck under shirt collar is a very effective way of cooling.

 

Participants (for their own safety) should listen to their bodies and retire from participation or competition if affected by the heat.

 

Clubs need to observe riders with this problem and consider Risk Management practices if allowing them to ride in hot conditions.

 

The sighting of any blood (whether wet or dry) on the horse from either the mouth, nostrils or spur area during Gear Check, or during the Activity, will entail elimination (horse/pony not permitted to be ridden in these circumstances).  There is no appeal against this decision.

 

Ask Rider/Team Manager to wipe mouth and then represent horse to ascertain if still bleeding.  If in doubt, refer to Steward or Vet.

 

(Excess slimy salivation with rotten smell does not entail elimination.)

 

 

Moleskins permitted for some activities - they do not have to be of a stretchy material.

 

 

This is to confirm that Monkey Grips (Handholds) are permitted for use at any time, by any age of rider (as some older riders may need help to keep their hands steady and/or in the correct position, also if the horse is full of beans and bucks - they've got something to hang on to rather than the horse's mouth!). 

 

The Monkey Grip is a "strap" attached between the front ?Ds' of the saddle over the Pommel.  A Closed Fist should be able to fit between the Pommel and the top of the Monkey Grip.

 

The Monkey Grip can be purchased as such (see below), or can be either a leather strap, a piece of binder twine, or thin rope.

Not permitted for jumping where the Neck Strap must be used as holding the Monkey Grip would put the rider in the incorrect jumping position.

BATES STEADY GRIP   Strap (Monkey Grip) that connects to the front of the saddle to provide rider stability in the saddle when required.

This will be included in the Gear Check Manual following Neck Straps.

PRESTIGE ITALIA MONKEY GRIP.   Support handle that clips to the front D's of any saddle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We welcome any queries which, if we can't answer immediately, will be discussed at a Gear Check meeting prior to being presented at a Coaching Panel Meeting.

Paula Gent        9887 9045                               Jill Ozanne        9454 6367

Heather Pow    9525 4245                   Jan Campbell    9573 1292