BEF Rule Book - Hack, Hunter, Equitation, English Pleasure Horse, Handy Horse & Gymkhana Division
Show Organizers please be sure to check the Show Championships for the descriptions of the classes in your show

PART I - HACK DIVISION

GENERAL

Section 1: Horses in this Division may be any breed or combination of breeds, must have natural action, i.e. not high and/or weighted, and must be over 14.2 hands. 

Section 2:  When classes are divided by height into two sections they shall be:
over 14.2 up to and including 15.2
over 15.2

When divided into three sections they shall be:
over 14.2 up to and including 15.2
over 15.2 up to and including 16.0
over 16.0  

Section 3:  Tack
a) English saddle of any type is required.  
b) Bridles may be either double, pelham, snaffle or kimberwick.  
c) Martingales, breastplates, boots of any kind and/or bandages - not allowed.  
d) Cavesson nosebands only must be worn.  
e) Browbands: leather of any description but not solid white, coloured or sequined.  White edging not exceeding 1/4"/0.63 cm permissible.

For Hunter Hack see "TACK" in the Hunter Division.

Section 4: Dress  
Competitors should be neatly and suitably attired in coat, hunting cap (hats with harnesses essential over fences - chinstraps will no longer be allowed after September 1st 1991). top hat, or bowler, shirt and tie, choker or stock, breeches or jodhpurs and boots.  (In hot weather coats are optional at the discretion of the Judge.)

Section 5:  Horses to stand without stretching.

Section 6:  Mounting, dismounting and rein back may be required.

Section 7:  Judges may require that horses be stripped for conformation judging in any hack class.  Pleasure classes excepted.

Section 8:  Entry is eliminated by any fall of horse or rider during class.

Section 1 - Type & Characteristics  
Show hacks must have vitality, animation, presence, balance and clean fine limbs showing supreme quality.  Soundness is required and blemishes may be penalized.  Braiding of mane and tail optional.

Section 2:  Gaits  
a) The walk - straight, 4 beat and flat footed.
b) The trot - free, light & crisp, may be required as follows:  
(i) Free on a light contact  
(ii) Collected with rider sitting.  
(iii) Extended - on contact - medium speed with legs moving forward with impulsion and with rider posting or sitting.

c) The canter - may be required as follows  
(i) Collected.  
(ii) Normal.  
(iii) Extended.

d) Hand gallop under control.

Show Hack:  Horses to enter the ring at a walk. May be shown at a walk, trot, canter and hand gallop;  collected and extended gaits to be called for;  to stand quietly.  Only 8 horses to gallop at one time.  To be judged on performance, quality, conformation and manners.

Section 1:  Type and Characteristics  
Road hacks must present an appearance of overall substance with refinement.  Soundness is required and blemishes may be penalized.  Braiding of mane and tail optional.  
 

Section 2:  Gaits  
a) The walk - straight, 4 beat and flat footed on a light to medium contact.  

b) The trot - straight and true; may be required as follows:  
(i) Normal on light to medium contact.  
(ii) Strong trot.  

c) The canter - normal on light to medium contact.

d) Hand gallop - under control.

Road Hack:  Horses to enter ring at a walk. May be shown at a flat-footed walk with a reasonably loose rein, trot, strong trot, easy canter and hand gallop.  Only 8 horses to gallop at one time.  To be judged on performance, conformation, substance and manners.

Section 1:  Type and Characteristics - Same as Road Hack.

English Pleasure Horse  
To be shown at a flat-footed walk, normal trot and easy canter.  Not to gallop.  Medium to light contact to be maintained.  To be judged on performance, conformation and manners.

Handy Horse  
This class will consist of a number of obstacles to be done as correctly and calmly as possible in the fastest time.  Course to include a minimum of 6 obstacles and a maximum of 8.  Tests which may be required are negotiating gate, carrying objects from one part of the arena to another, riding through water, over logs or simulated brush, riding down into and up out of a ditch without lunging or jumping, crossing a bridge, backing through obstacles, sidepassing, mounting and dismounting from either side and performing over any reasonable conditions encountered along a trail.  Course to include a trot and canter of suitable duration to determine the way of going.  Most obstacles will be designed to be negotiated in 90 seconds.  Riders hands shall be clear of horse to avoid cueing.  Horses to be penalised for any unnecessary delay while approaching obstacle.  Judges are encouraged to advance any horse on to next obstacle taking excessive time at an obstacle.  After enough horses have completed the course for the ribbons being awarded, any horse with a major fault may be eliminated at the judge's discretion.  Entry will be evaluated on responsiveness, willingness and general attitude.  Obvious unsoundness must be disqualified. 

Off course is defined as:
a) Taking an obstacle in the wrong direction.
b) Negotiating an obstacle from the wrong side.
c) Skipping an obstacle unless directed by the judge.
d) Negotiating obstacles in the wrong sequence.

Eligibility  
Open to stallions, mares or geldings.  Classes may be divided into Green Hunter and Regular Hunter.  A Green Hunter is a horse of any age in his first or second year of showing.  A Regular Hunter is a horse of any age and is not restricted by previous showing.

Courses
General Except in case of inclement weather, broken equipment, or similar emergency a course must not be altered except by written permission of all exhibitors.  If one or more original obstacles are rendered unusable during a class and no duplicate exists, management may substitute obstacles which approximate as nearly as possible the originals.

Course Diagrams  
Course diagrams must be posted at least one hour before scheduled time of class unless they have been illustrated in the prize list.  The plan or diagram of the course must show the obstacles which must be taken in the order indicated by numbers but apart from this the rider is not bound to follow a compulsory track.  An arrow is used on the diagram to indicate the direction in which each obstacle is to be taken.  When distances between fences are 90' or less from base to base, the distance must be included on the posted course diagram.

Type  
1. Obstacles must simulate those found in the hunting field such as natural post and rail, brush, stone wall, white board fence or gate, chicken coop, aiken, hedge, oxer, etc.
 
2. Chicken coops hinged at the top and free at the bottom, triple bars and hogsback; striped rails; targets; any spread over 4' and square oxers are prohibited.  

3. Every course must have at least four different type obstacles.  

4. A 6" difference is recommended for the back element of an obstacle.  There must be a minimum difference of 3".  A ground line is recommended for all obstacles.

5. The top element of all obstacles must be securely placed so that a slight rub will not cause a knockdown and must be equally secure for different heights in the same class.

6. In Handy classes obstacles must simulate those found in trappy hunting country.  The course must have at least two changes of direction and at least one combination.  Horses may be required to trot over one obstacle toward the end of the course and may be asked to lead over one obstacle.

In and Outs

1. An in and out is considered as two obstacles in the required number of obstacles.  It must never be used at the start of the course.

2. An in and out may have one or two strides.  The suggested distance for an in and out when used in a ring is 24' to 26', and on an outside course 26' to 28'.  The distance may be altered during a class requiring different fence heights.

Tack
1. Regulation snaffles, pelhams, kimberwicks, and full bridles, all with cavesson nose bands are recommended.  A judge may penalize for non-conventional types of bits or nosebands.

2. Competitors may be refused an award unless they return to the ring for conformation or soundness with the same complete bridle in which they have performed.

3. Martingales of any type are prohibited in Under Saddle, hack and tie-breaking classes.

Equipment  
Light pads and bar shoes are permissible, however, bar shoes indicate a weakness and in Conformation classes, a judge may penalize accordingly.  Boots and bandages are prohibited.  In the case of inclement weather competition management may permit the use of bell boots.

Dress  
Competitors should be neatly and suitably attired in coat, hunting cap, hats with harnesses essential over fences, top hat, or bowler, shirt and tie, choker or stock, breeches or jodhpurs and boots.  (In hot weather coats are optional at the discretion of the Judge.)

GENERAL

1. All classes must be judged on performance and soundness and when indicated, conformation, suitability or manners.  

1.1 When a horse makes two faults at one obstacle only the major fault will be counted (Exception; refusals count in addition.)

1.2 When an obstacle is composed of several elements in the same vertical plane, a fault at the top element is the only one penalized.

1.3 At a combination, the faults committed at each obstacle are considered separately.  In case of a refusal or runout at one obstacle in a combination, the competitor may re-jump the previous as well as the following obstacles.

1.4 Judges must penalize unsafe jumping and bad form over fences, whether touched or untouched.

1.5 Teams, Pairs and unicorns (abreast and tandem) should be judged as a single unit, scoring only major faults at each obstacle.  (Exception: in cases where two or more horses have knockdowns or refusals, they are scored cumulatively.)

2. Circling once upon entering the ring and once upon leaving is permissible.

3. In all classes over obstacles judges must line up competitors on merit of performance before considering conformation or soundness, including two more entries than the number of ribbons offered if there are sufficient entries without major faults.

4. In classes over obstacles, competitors cannot be requested to show at a walk, trot and canter or to re-jump the course unless eliminations are held.  If eliminations are held, the finals are judged as an independent class.

5. After all competitors have had an opportunity to compete over a course in the Regular Working section, competitors with faults which would eliminate the competitor from ribbons, may be excused at management's discretion, provided four more competitors than the number of ribbons awarded have completed the course.  In Green Working classes riders are encouraged to withdraw after a major fault.

6. In cases of broken equipment, the competitor may either continue without penalty or stop and correct the difficulty, in which case he will be penalized 3 faults.  In case of loss of shoe, rider may either continue without penalty or be eliminated.

Soundness

All horses must be serviceably sound.  All horses being considered for an award must be jogged for soundness with rider dismounted. (Exception: Under saddle classes).

Conformation

Quality, substance and soundness.  Judges must penalize but not necessarily eliminate horses with structural faults, defects or blemishes (such as pinfiring) in areas which might impair their activity and durability.

Performance  

1. An even hunting pace, manners, jumping style together with faults and way of moving over the course as well as when being jogged for soundness.  Manners to be emphasized in Ladies and Junior classes.

2. When the class is held in a ring, the performance starts as the competitor enters and ends when he leaves.

Disobediences (major faults)
Second (2nd) refusal, runout, bolting on course, extra circle or showing an obstacle to a horse - ELIMINATION.  
 Jumping an obstacle before it is re-set - ELIMINATION.
Bolting from ring - ELIMINATION.  
 Failure to keep proper course - ELIMINATION.  
 Jumping an obstacle not included in course - ELIMINATION.

Falls
Fall of horse and/or rider - ELIMINATION.  

Under Saddle and Hack Classes  
In Under Saddle and Hunter Hack classes, horses are shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring.  Light contact with the horse's mouth is required.  Horses should be obedient, alert, responsive and move freely.  They should not be eliminated for slight errors.  Judges may ask horses to hand gallop collectively, one way of the ring (Exception: Green classes).  No more than eight will be asked to hand gallop at one time.

Green Conformation Performance Classes  
To be judged 50% to 60% on performance and soundness;  40% to 50% on conformation (Exception: Conformation to count 25% in Ladies.)

Regular Conformation Performance Classes  
To be judged 75% performance and soundness; 25% conformation.

Green and Regular Working Classes  
To be judged on performance and soundness.

Ties

1. In case of a tie score the Championship and/or Reserve is awarded to the horse that accumulated the most points over fences.  If horses have an equal number of points over fences and no points under saddle, the tied horses must be shown at a walk, trot and canter.  Competitors may be asked to hand gallop at the discretion of the judge. (Exception: Green Hunters).  This competition is judged as an independent under saddle class with conformation, soundness and performance to count as prescribed throughout the section.

2. If all tied horses are declared unsound, selection of the winner among such tied competitors is left to the discretion of the judges.

Schooling  
Schooling is permitted over designated obstacles only.

Back to Back Classes  
No more than two rounds may be ridden back to back.  Classes using back to back rounds must be jogged and pinned separately.

Jumping Order  
If a jumping order is established it must be posted in a conspicuous place at least one-half hour before the class.  The jumping order must be legible to a mounted rider.  If a jumping order is used throughout the section, a systematic rotation of the starting list must be employed so that a complete cycle is made during the competition.  Failure to enter the ring within one minute after an audible signal to proceed is given incurs elimination.  The time limit for entering the ring must be enforced by competition management.  Management may permit a rider to compete out of order to minimize delays and in case of class conflicts.
 

CHAPTER 1.  ELIGIBILITY

General

1. Riders must not have reached their 19th birthday as of 1st September of the current season.

2. Ponies must be handled by junior exhibitors in all phases of a class.

3. Stallions are prohibited from all classes.

4. Small ponies are not to exceed 12.2 hands, medium ponies are over 12.2 and do not exceed 13.2 hands; large ponies are over 13.2 and do not exceed 14.2 hands.

5. Regular classes are open to all ponies not exceeding 14.2 hands.  Qualifications must follow as nearly as possible those outlined for Hunters.

COURSES

General  
Same requirements as for Hunter.

Distances  
The suggested distances for in-and-outs are 20' for small, 22' for medium and 24' for large ponies.  The in-and-out distance must be adjusted for each height section.

JUDGING

General  
Manners and suitability of a pony for the rider are to be emphasized in all classes.  Extreme speed is penalized.  Suitability of a pony for a rider is determined by height and weight of the rider as related to the size of the pony.  Judges must penalize but not necessarily eliminate an entry not having such manners and suitability.

Class Specifications  
Classes are the same as those listed for Hunters.  
 

CHAPTER 1.  REGULATIONS FOR ALL SEATS  

ELIGIBILITY  

1. Riders in classes for junior exhibitors cannot have reached their 19th birthday by the 1st of September in the season of competition.

2. In Equitation classes only the rider is being judged, therefore, any horse that is suitable and is capable of performing the required class routine is acceptable.

3. Stallions are prohibited.

CONDUCT

Money Prizes  
Offering of prize money in Equitation classes for junior exhibitors and amateurs is forbidden.  In Equitation classes the rider is the competitor and wins the award.

Judging
1. Soundness.  Unsoundness does not penalize a competitor unless it is sufficiently severe to impair the required performance.  In such cases, the imposition of a penalty is at the judge's discretion.  

2. Any rider not having his mount under sufficient control will be dismissed from the ring and disqualified from that class.

3. Riders must remain on the same mount   throughout all phases of a class until the judge requests a change.

4. No rider can be asked to perform a test on another horse before he has performed the same test on his own.

5. Attendants are not allowed in the ring except at the request of judge(s).

6.When additional tests are desired, the judges' instructions to riders are publicly announced.  It is suggested that the judge go over these instructions with the announcer immediately before they are announced to assure mutual understanding of the wording.

7. Judges cannot confer with riders individually during the line-up.

POSITION

1. General.  Rider should have a workmanlike appearance, seat and hands light and supple, conveying the impression of complete control should any emergency arise.  Exhibitors may ride side saddle in Adult Equitation classes but not in classes restricted to Juniors.

2. Hands.  Hands should be over and in front of horse's withers, knuckles thirty degrees inside the vertical, hands slightly apart and making a straight line from horse's mouth to rider's elbow.  Method of holding reins is optional and bight of reins may fall on either side.  However, all reins must be picked up at the same time.

3. Basic Position.  The eyes should be up and shoulders back.  Toes should be at an angle best suited to rider's conformation; ankles flexed in, heels down, calf of leg in contact with horse and slightly behind girth.  Iron should be on the ball of the foot and must not be tied to the girth.

4. Position in Motion.  At the walk, sitting trot and canter, body should be a couple of degrees in front of the vertical;  posting trot, inclined forward; galloping and jumping, same inclination as the posting trot.  

5. Mounting and Dismounting.  To mount, take up reins in left hand and place hand on withers.  Grasp stirrup leather with right hand and insert left foot in stirrup, toe in girth and mount.  To dismount, rider may either step down or slide down.  The size of rider must be taken into consideration.

APPOINTMENTS

1. Personal.  Exhibitors and judges should bear in mind that at all times entries are being judged on ability rather than on personal attire.  Riders should wear coats of any tweed or melton for hunting (conservative wash jackets in season), breeches or jodhpurs and boots.  Conservative coloured protective headgear is mandatory.  Spurs, crops or bats are option.  Judges may penalize contestants who do not conform.

All juniors must wear properly fitting protective headgear while riding on the competition grounds.  Harness must be secured and properly fitted.  Any rider violating this rule at any time must be prohibited from further riding until such headgear is properly in place.

2. Tack.  Regulation snaffles, pelhams, kimberwichs and full bridles, all with cavesson nose bands are recommended.  a judge at his own discretion can penalize a horse with non-conventional types of bits or nose bands.  Boots and conservative coloured bandages are permitted.  Type of saddle is optional.  Martingales are optional in classes over obstacles and in classes requiring both jumping and flat work. They are prohibited in flat classes.  Any changes of equipment during a class can be penalized at the discretion of the judge.  )Note: adding or taking off a martingale from one phase to another is not considered a change). 

CLASS ROUTINE

1. Over Obstacles.  The performance begins when the horse enters the ring or is given the signal to proceed after entering ring.  Except for refusals jumping faults of the horse are not to be considered unless it is the result of the rider's ability.

No rider can be eliminated until ten riders have completed the course, or a number equal to the ribbons being awarded.  (Exception: three refusals, fall of horse and/or rider and off course).

The following will result in elimination: a) fall of horse and/or rider; b) three cumulative refusals; and c) off course.  If elimination occurs during a ride-off, the competitor is placed last of all those chosen for the ride-off.

The following constitute  major faults and can be cause for elimination: a) a refusal; b) loss of stirrup; c) trotting while on course when not part of a test and d) loss of reins.

Each competitor may circle once before approaching the first obstacle.  He then proceeds around course keeping an even pace throughout.  If a refusal occurs in a double or triple, competitors must re-jump all obstacles in the combination.  Any or all competitors can be called back to perform at a walk, trot and canter or to execute any appropriate tests included in class requirements.

2. Not to Jump.  Competitors shall enter ring and proceed at least once around ring at each gait and, on command, reverse and repeat.  Riders may be asked to work collectively without stirrups (with the exception of Lead Line and Walk & Trot Equitation).  The order to reverse can be executed by turning either toward or away from the rail.  Light contact with horse's mouth is required.  Entries then line up on command.  Any or all riders may be required to execute any appropriate tests included in class requirements.  All tests used must be on the flat.  Judges are encouraged to call for at least two tests of the top contestants.

3. Outside Assistance.  Outside assistance will be penalized at the judge's discretion.

4. In cases of broken equipment or loss of shoe, the competitor must continue or be eliminated.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS  
Classes must be held over at least six obstacles.

1. In Maiden, Novice, Limit and classes for riders under 15 years, jumps cannot exceed 3' and wings must be at least 30" wide.  It is recommended that for riders under 12 years, jumps will not exceed 2'9".

2. In Intermediate classes obstacles cannot exceed 3'3".

3. In Open, Medal and Classes for riders 15 to 18 years, obstacles cannot exceed 3'6" and wings are optional.

4. In Novice classes a change of hand (change of lead) is required.

5. In Limit classes, a change of hand (change of lead) and a combination are required.

6. In Intermediate, 15 years and over and Open classes, at least one change of hand (change of lead) and a combination including an oxer is required.

7. Combinations are prohibited in classes restricted to riders under 12 years old.  all combinations must be numbered with a single number and the designations A and B or A, B and C on the course diagram.

8. It is recommended that one class in each competition be held over jumper-type obstacles to encourage interest in F.E.I. competition and one over a hunter course so that riders can be judged on their ability to establish and maintain an even hunting pace.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC CLASSES  
The following age limit classes are suggested but may vary according to local conditions:  

1. Maiden for juniors under 8 years and 10 years and Under - Test 1.

2a. Novice and Limit for juniors under 12 years - Tests 1-3-4-5 & 6.

2b. Short Stirrup 12 years & under - Tests  1-3-4-6-8-10-11.

3. Juniors 12 to 14 years - Tests 1-8.

4. Intermediate for juniors 15 to 18 years - Tests 1-18.

5. Open for juniors who have not reached their 19th birthday - Tests 1-18

Adult Equitation Classes  - Open to Adults 19 years and over.  
Only one rider per horse.  To be shown over a course of not less than eight obstacles.  The course must include one combination which includes an oxer and two changes of direction after the first obstacle.  Two or more tests of the top four competitors are required.  Tests 1 - 18.

TESTS FROM WHICH JUDGES MUST CHOOSE
Tests may be performed either collectively or individually but no other tests may be used.  Instructions must be publicly announced.

1. Halt (4 to 6 seconds) and/or back.

2. Hand gallop.

3. Figure eight at trot, demonstrating change of diagonals.  at left diagonal, rider should be sitting the saddle when left front leg is on the ground; at right diagonal, rider should be sitting the saddle when right front leg is on the ground; when circling clockwise at a trot, rider should be on left diagonal; when circling counter-clockwise, rider should be on the right diagonal.

4. Figure eight at canter on correct lead, demonstrating simple change of lead.  This is a change whereby the horse is brought back into walk or trot and re-started into a canter on the opposite lead.  Figures to be commenced in center of two circles so that one change of lead is shown.

5. Work collectively at a walk, trot or canter.

6. Pull up and halt (4 to 6 seconds).

7. Jump obstacles on figure eight course.

8. Ride without stirrups, or drop and pick up stirrups.

9. Jump low obstacles at a walk and trot as well as at a canter.  The maximum height for a walk obstacle is 3'.  The maximum height and spread for a trotting obstacle is 3'.

10. Dismount and mount.

11. Turn on the forehand.

12. Figure eight at canter on correct lead demonstrating flying change of lead.

13. Execute serpentine at a trot and/or canter on correct lead demonstrating simple of flying changes of lead.

14. Change leads on a line demonstrating a simple or flying change of lead.

15. Change horses. (Note: this test is the equivalent of two tests).

16. Canter on counter lead. (Note: no more than twelve horses may counter canter at one time).

17. Turn on the haunches from the walk.

18. Demonstration ride of approximately one minute.  Rider must advise judge beforehand what ride he plans to demonstrate.  

GYMKHANA DIVISION

a) Correct English, Western or Driving attire to be worn according to the specifications listed in the show schedule.  Coats and Jackets may be removed at the Judges Discretion.

b) All contestants must abide by the rules and regulations of the General Rules of this division.  Violations to be penalized by disqualifications from the events.

c) Type of reins used is optional.

d) The method of holding the reins is optional.

e) When a horse jumps out of the ring, it is not permitted to re-enter the ring.

f) No bats, crops quirts, whips or spurs are allowed.

g) Contestant may be disqualified for abusing horses in any manner or for misconduct.

h) Any rider interfering, colliding with or cutting off other riders shall be disqualified.

i) Horses must enter and leave ring at a walk.

j) Equipment required for a class may not be used for practicing before the class or event begins.  Penalty is disqualification.

k) The Show Committee will determine whether any class or event warrants eliminations.

l) In all events that are run off in heats, position must be drawn to determine in which heat a horse will compete.

m) All contestants or horses must have a number which is easily seen by the Ring Officials, otherwise contestants may be dismissed from the class.

n) A horse cannot be ridden by more than one rider in the same event, and a rider cannot ride more than one horse in the same event except when being individually timed.

o) In all individually timed events, there must be at least two timers.  Horses should start from a start-finish line to permit the use of electronic timers.  If hand held timers are used the slowest of two timers or the middle of three timers shall decide.

p) Contestants must use reins as lead shanks in events where rider dismounts and leads horse.

q) Failure to follow course or pattern will result in disqualification.

r) A contestant who is not ready when called for an event or who refuses to perform as instructed by Ring Officials may be disqualified from the event and forfeit his entry fee.  One minute will be allowed.