These rules apply to the Certius Championships. They are based on the Rules of British Carriagedriving (BC) and have been adapted for Short Format competitions. If something outside the Rules needs a decision it is the duty of the Championship Organiser or a designated deputy to make a decision in the spirit of the sport.
The welfare of horses and ponies is paramount. The Organisers reserve the right to intervene if the welfare of any animal is compromised in any way.
In accordance with Social License to Operate and our own ethos on animal welfare, Certius has implemented a no use of the driving aid as a whip for 'encouragement' to gain speed after the final pair of cones and last gate in obstacles to the finish line.
STRUCTURE OF THE COMPETITION
This is a Short Format Three Phase competition comprising of Compulsory Figures, Cones and Obstacles without a marathon.
CLASSES
Intro
Junior Drivers 8 - 14yrs
Senior Drivers 65ish
Novice Para Drivers
Open Para Drivers
Traditional Cobs
Small Single Pony
Novice Single Pony
Open Single Pony
Novice Single Horse
Open Single Horse
Small Pony Pair
Novice Pony Pair
Open Pony Pair
Horse Pairs
Tandems
Teams
Points amassed in each phase will be converted into penalties. The Driver with the lowest penalty score at the end of the competition is the winner. In the event of a tie the lowest score in the Obstacles will be the winner.
HORSES AND PONIES
All animals must have up to date Equine Influenza Vaccinations. It is recommended but not compulsory that Flu Vaccs are done within 6 months and no less than 7 days prior to the start of the event.
Horses and ponies must be 5 years or older.
Small Ponies are 11hh and under.
Ponies are between 11.1hh and 14.2hh.
Horses are 14.2hh or above.
Any animal may compete a maximum of twice.
CARRIAGES
Carriages will be of marathon type with two or four wheels and may be pneumatic. Scurry vehicles are not permitted.
Minimum width for all phases is 125cm measured on the rear wheels at the ground.
HARNESS
Harness must be safe, comfortable and correctly fitted.
Dual reins are permitted for Juniors and Para Drivers as required.
Breeching is compulsory for singles or any vehicle without brakes.
Bitless bridles are not permitted.
No one can be tied to the vehicle. Safety belts are permitted but must be held at one end by the Navigator. Para Drivers may use a suitable harness as they deem fit.
DRESS
The Competition will be driven in marathon style dress for all phases.
Securely fastened hard hats are compulsory for all phases and whilst riding on a carriage at all times.
Juniors must wear body protectors for all phases and at all times whilst on a carriage.
Body protectors are compulsory for all in Obstacles.
Gloves are optional.
Driving aids (whips) are strongly recommended but not compulsory.
Navigators must wear a number bib with numbers front and back in all phases.
In the case of Small Single Ponies the Driver must wear the bib.
DRIVERS AND NAVIGATORS
Intro - This class is designed to encourage newcomers - please get in touch to discuss if this is suitable for you.
Junior Drivers must be aged 8 to 14 years at the date of qualification.
Senior Drivers - 65 (ish) years.
Novice Drivers must not have won a driving trials competition with no less than three starters in that class within the last two years. The Organisers reserve the right to move drivers to Open if they are considered too experienced for the Novice Class.
Para Drivers - We accept Self Classification
We are happy to discuss which class suits you best.
Grooms are considered Navigators and may speak and advise Drivers in all phases. Navigators should stand behind the Drivers or may sit next to the Driver in a two wheel vehicle or if duel reins are being used.
Junior Drivers must have a Navigator of at least 18 years.
Minimum age for Navigators is 14 years.
Teams must have a Navigator of a minimum age of 18 years. The second Groom must be a minimum age of 14 years.
Small Single Ponies must have a Navigator/Groom on the ground close by to provide assistance if required. The Ground Groom should be dressed as any other Navigator/Groom. In the case of a Small Single Pony being driven by a Junior Driver the Navigator must be on the carriage.
Small Pony Teams must have a Navigator on the carriage. The Second Groom can opt to be on the ground nearby or ride on the carriage.
Pony Teams must have a Navigator and Groom on the carriage.
All other classes must have a Navigator on the carriage.
COMPULSORY FIGURES
The Certius Compulsory Figures test is driven in a 30m x 60m arena. There is a Novice and Open version. The same footprint is driven by all. Novices drive predominantly in Working Trot with a Halt, Walk and Lengthened stride section. Open drive Walk, Free Walk, Halt, Rein Back, Working, Collected and Extended Trot and One Handed. N.B. The one handed element for Open Para Drivers is at the Organisers discretion.
The Novice Test is driven by all designated Novice Classes, Juniors, Paras, Seniors, Cobs and all Small Pony Classes.
The Open Test is driven by designated Open Classes, Tandems and Pony Teams.
All movements start with the lead animals nose at the marker unless otherwise stated. Errors of course will be penalised at 5 penalties per occurrence.
Compulsory Figures is marked as a percentage and converted to penalties.
CONES
There will be up to 15 pairs of Cones, of the 15 one may be a multiple (A-D)
There will not be any closed obstacles.
Penalties will be awarded for any dislodged ball whether or not the gate has been driven.
The course will be set at an optimum time of 220m per minute.
The cones are set at a standard width of 145cm but may be altered at the Course Builders discretion.
OBSTACLES
There will be four Obstacles of increasing complexity.
Obstacle 1 - A to C (3 gates)
Obstacle 2 - A to D (4 gates)
Obstacle 3 - A to E (5 gates)
Obstacle 4 - A to F (6 gates)
Drivers will start in reverse order each driving Obstacle 1 followed by each driving Obstacle 2 and so on.
The order will remain the same for all four Obstacles.
Each Obstacle must be driven sequentially ie A,B,C, etc. Once a gate has been driven it becomes 'free' and may be driven again in either direction.
To correct an error of course the Driver must return to the place the error occurred ie if they drove A,B, missed C then D they must return and drive C. All gates are neutralised until gate C is driven correctly, incurring a Corrected Error of Course of 10 penalties. If the Driver does the same sequence without returning to pick up the correct track they will be penalised for an Uncorrected Error of Course of 30 penalties.
If part of an Obstacle becomes dislodged and blocks the route of the Driver it is the Drivers responsibility to put down their Navigator/Groom and clear the course incurring the penalties for a Groom down. You may NOT drive over any impeding element, to do so will incur 40 penalties.
PENALTIES
Navigator/Groom down
(one or both) 5 penalties
Driver dismounting 20 penalties
Dislodging a ball in Cones/Obs 5 penalties
Above or below the optimum time
per commenced second 1 penalty
Time spent in Obstacles
per commenced second 1 penalty
Corrected Error of Course
- Cones and Obstacles 10 penalties
Uncorrected Error of Course
- Cones and Obstacles 30 penalties
Intentionally driving over
a dislodged element 40 penalties
No turnout may start unless properly equipped with hats, correct harness, number etc.
Boots and bandages are acceptable but must be removed for inspection if requested to do so.
The Organiser of this event has taken reasonable precautions to ensure the health and safety of everyone present. For these measures to be effective everyone must take all reasonable precautions to avoid and prevent accidents occurring and must obey the instructions of the Organisers and all Officials and Stewards.
The Certius Championship
Wessex Driving Club is Affiliated to British Carriagedriving
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