BEF RULES AT A GLANCE

(Further information available at the link below)

http://www.bef.bm/befrules/befrulesgeneral.htm

INTRODUCTION

Although for some people the strict observance of rules apparently detracts from the enjoyment, rules are essential if the sport is to be well ordered and is to pay due regard to equity, safety and the welfare of the horse, rider and driver.

A knowledge of the rules of any sport is required of each participant, and the exhibitor at a Recognized Show is in no way exempt from this responsibility.  A complete knowledge of and compliance with the rules are essential and the exhibitor must be fully cognizant of all the rules as well as class specifications in the Divisions in which he shows.

It is obvious that, however complete rules may be, they never can cover all possible situations which may arise.  If there is any doubt about the meaning of any of the regulations they should be interpreted in the sense of ensuring fair conditions for all competitors.

SHOW DIRECTOR

a) The Show Director is responsible for the coordination of the show and formation and direction of the Appeals Committee.

b) Recognized Shows should exercise extreme care in the selection and appointment of the Show Director for the mutual benefit of committees, exhibitors, competitors and spectators.  A thorough knowledge of the rules of the Federation shall be one of the prerequisites of a person serving as Show Director.

c) Any Show Director who violates or knowingly permits violation of the rules of the Federation at his show shall be subject to disciplinary action.

d) A Show Director may not serve as a Judge or Steward of his own show nor may he be a rider or driver.

SHOW SECRETARY

a) The Secretary of each Recognized Show shall have a copy of the current Bermuda Equestrian Federation Rule Book available for reference at all times during the Show as well as a current list of Registered Horses and Membership List.

b) The Secretary shall provide a number card for each competitor, which shall be worn in a conspicuous place, as instructed by the Show Committee.

c) The Secretary shall be responsible for all matters in connection with entries.

d) It shall be the duty of the Secretary to ensure that no entrant shall compete until or unless said exhibitor or his representative has signed an entry form.

e) At the earliest possible moment the Secretary shall notify interested exhibitors if a class is not fully subscribed and is cancelled.

f) The Secretary shall be responsible for providing a standard judges card carrying the exact specifications of the class, which is to be handed to each officiating judge at the beginning of each class.  The Judge is to mark and sign his card at the conclusion of the class and surrender it at once to the Ring Steward for return to the Show Secretary.  The Secretary must be sure to record the names as well as the number of the Horses shown.

g) Either the Show Secretary or Show Organizer, shall be responsible for accurately recording the results of all B.E.F. designated classes and forwarding same, together with a copy of the Show Schedule and Judges Cards, to the Point Scoring Secretary within one week of the last day of the Show.  The recording of said results MUST include the B.E.F. Horse Registration Number and either H for horse or P for pony and the B.E.F. Membership Number of the competitor.

WITHDRAWAL OF ENTRIES

a) If an exhibitor voluntarily removes a horse from the ring without the permission of a judge, the exhibitor and all animals of the exhibitor shall be disqualified from all future classes at that show and shall forfeit all prizes and entry fees for the entire show at the discretion of the Show Committee.

b) Any horse leaving the ring without the exhibitor's volition shall be deprived of an award in that class.

c) Scratches must be made with the Show Secretary only, whose name (and phone number) will appear on all show schedules.

STEWARDS

At each Recognized Show there shall be a Ring Steward, Chief Jump Steward and/or Collecting Ring Steward.

Regulations Governing Stewards

a) The following persons at a given show are ineligible to serve as Ring Stewards:
The Show Director
The Show Secretary
Judge (except as (b))
Competitor or exhibitor at that show (except as (b)).

Where possible no ring steward may officiate in any class in which any of his horses are being shown or any member of his immediate family or pupil is taking part.

b) A judge may serve as Ring Steward if his duties as Judge are completed. An Exhibitor may serve as Ring Steward ONLY if he has finished exhibiting at said show.

c) Failure of a steward to attend the show or perform his duties in accordance with the rules shall constitute cause for disciplinary action. .  

Duties

A Steward should clearly understand that he has no authority in connection with the management or the judging of a show.  He is the representative of the Show Committee and should point out in a diplomatic manner any instance where Federation rules are not enforced.  He should not dictate to the Judges or Show Committee but should immediately report to the appropriate officials any violation of the rules which might invalidate a class.  He should keep himself available to Judges, exhibitors and show committee at all times to clarify the application of the Federation rules and investigate any situation where the rules are not upheld.  The other duties of a Steward shall be, but are not limited to, the following:

a) to protect the interest of exhibitors, Judges and Show Committee.

c)  to report to the Show Director any offence or violation of the rules committed by an exhibitor, Judge or official and prefer charges against the violator if the violation is not properly handled by the Show Committee.

SCHOOLING

a) Schooling shall only be permitted over fences in an area authorized by the Show Committee.

b) Warming up of horses under saddle and in harness shall only be permitted in an area authorized by the Show Committee.

c) It is the responsibility of the Show Committee to provide a schooling area and steward.

d) The only practice fences that competitors may jump are those provided by the Organizing Committee.  The use of fence materials, other than those provided by the Organizing Committee, is forbidden under penalty of elimination

REGULATIONS GOVERNING TIMERS 

Organizers of B.E.F. rated jumping classes must ensure that the electronic timing equipment is used and operated by the Chief Timekeeper.  In addition there must be at least two assistant timekeepers using hand held timers.  

If two hand held timers are used the slowest of two times shall decide.  If three hand held timers are used the middle time of three times shall decide.  

SUBSTITUTIONS

a) i) HORSE: No substitution of horse may be made after the announced date of the closing of entries, except in equitation classes or in classes where more than one horse represent an entry (i.e. pairs, teams, tandems).  Substitutions may only be made on receipt of a veterinarians certificate.  This certificate should be received by the Show Secretary when making the request for the change.

ii) If a horse is sold or injured after the closing of entries Competition Management MAY allow, upon written application, an exhibitor to substitute another horse in the same class (or classes), but the new entry must be given another number.  Proof of sale &/or a veterinarians certificate will be required.  The request for this change must be made prior to the start of each show day (if more than one.)

b) The horse being substituted must already be entered in the show.  (Refer to page 17 under entries b).

c) RIDER:  Substitution of rider in Equitation classes is not permitted.  Substitution of rider/driver in other classes is permitted unless otherwise stated in the show schedule.

PROTESTS, CHARGES AND HEARINGS - Filing and Contents

A protest may be made to a Show Committee by an exhibitor or agent or parent of a Junior Exhibitor or official of the show for any violation of these rules.  It must be (a) in writing, (b) signed by the protester, (c) addressed to the Secretary of the show at which the violation occurred, (d) accompanied by a deposit of $50.00 and (e) received by a member of the Show Committee within 30 minutes of the alleged violation or completion of class.

APPEAL

The appeal jury shall hear all protests officially lodged within one hour from the time it is received.  A protest must state an identifiable name and contain a complete and definite statement of the acts which constitute the alleged violation.  Precise details regarding a violation of the rules are necessary.  The maker must be prepared to substantiate the protest by personal testimony at a hearing, or by sworn statement, witnesses or other evidence.  All persons directly concerned shall be given the opportunity to appear.  If the protest is sustained, the deposit shall be returned to the protester - if not sustained, the deposit shall be forfeited to the show.  

A protest against a Recognized Show shall be referred to the Executive Committee of the Bermuda Equestrian Federation.

NON-PROTESTABLE DECISIONS

The soundness of a horse, when determined by an official veterinarian of the show or by a judge, is not protestable.  A Judge's decision representing his individual preference, is not protestable unless it is alleged to be in violation of the rules.

A protest with respect to the height of a horse may only be made to the Committee of the Show.  Remeasurement shall take place immediately to prevent any change in height by reshoeing.

DRESS

It is tradition in the show ring that riders and drivers be correctly attired for the class in question, that attendants be neatly dressed and horses properly presented.  Riders in all classes where jumping is required must wear protective headgear with harness in place except in Trail and Dressage Classes.  A Show Committee may at its discretion, bar any entry or person from entering the ring if not suitably presented to appear before an audience, and must bar riders without protective headgear from classes in which it is required.  

Dress code for each section is listed under the applicable division.  

CRUELTY

a) Cruelty to or the abuse of a horse by any person at a Recognized Show is forbidden, constitutes a violation and renders the offender subject to penalty.  The Show Committee may bare violators from further participation for the remainder of the show.  It shall be the duty of the Show Officials to report to the Federation any person who indulges in this practice for such further action as may be deemed appropriate.

The Committee may appoint a veterinarian to inspect any animal in competition.  Refusal to submit an animal for examination by an authorized veterinarian after due notification shall constitute a violation.

b) The following acts are included under the words 'Cruelty' or 'Abuse' but are not limited thereto:-

1) Excessive use of a whip on any horse in a stall, runway, schooling area, show ring or elsewhere on the grounds by any person.

2) Rapping the leg of a horse with the butt end of a riding crop or other implement.

3) Use of any substance to induce temporary heat.

4) Manual poling with any object.

5) Use of wire or chain in conjunction with any schooling jump.

6) Use of electric device in schooling or showing.

7) Showing a horse with raw or bleeding sores around the ear, saddle, coronets, pasterns or legs.

8) Inhumane treatment of a horse in a stall, runway, schooling area, show ring or elsewhere on the grounds, by any person (see #1).

CONDUCT OF SHOW  

No person may enter the ring or collecting ring except judges, stewards, show officials, riders or drivers, or attendants where classes permit attendants.  Coaches are only allowed in the Collecting Ring and/or Warm Up area, except where otherwise stated.

Award winners must be mounted and properly attired when receiving awards.  Competitors are not allowed in the Main Ring unmounted without special permission.