COMPETITION RULES FOR 2004
SSA - the Side Saddle Association



In order to offer Qualifying slasses all shows must affiliate by 1st February of the current year. This will ensure inclusion in the Current Show and Fixture List.



SAFETY

FALLS: A fall of horse/pony or rider in any class run under Side Saddle Association rules will result in disqualification, and the rider must leave the ring dismounted. It is strongly recommended that medical advice is then sought before competing in any other class.

JUNIORS: Junior competitors must wear a hat to current British Safety Standard or above in ALL classes affiliated to or run by The Side Saddle Association.

ADULTS: Adult competitors must wear a hat to current British Safety Standard or above where indicated in the Competition Rules. Where safety hats are not compulsory, Adult competitors wear alternative headgear at their own risk.

Correctly secured British Standard Skull Caps/Riding Hats Nos. PAS015, BSEN1384, or ASTMF1163 or above that meet current Safety Standards must be worn by all competitors where indicated.




SECTION I
SIDE SADDLE EQUITATION - RULES FOR QUALIFYING CLASSES


1.
MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATION
1.1.

Only Life, or paid up Full and Junior Members of the Side Saddle Association are eligible to win points, to receive Side Saddle Association rosettes and to proceed to the National Equitation Championships. (Associate Members, or competitors who are not Members of the Association, are therefore not eligible to win points, receive the Association's rosettes or compete in the National Equitation Championships.)
1.2. JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP. A Junior Member is a Member who is aged under sixteen on January 1st of the current calendar year.


2. JUDGING CRITERIA

In all Equitation classes it is the rider and not the horse that is judged and qualifies, as there will be no reference to the sex, breeding or conformation of the horse. However horses should, in the opinion of the judge, have manners suitable for carrying a side-saddle. Horses shall be four years old or over.
2.1. Judges will take into account effective horsemanship, suppleness, straightness, poise of the rider and overall impression of the combination of the rider and horse.
2.2.

Competitors should not compete under a judge who, during the previous six months, has given them individual instruction. (Group instruction is exempt.) Competitors may compete Hors Concours (see 4).
2.3.

The Judging criteria for Qualifying classes does not permit competitors to share a horse or pony. If horse or pony is shared, at the Judge's discretion, the second rider competes Hors Concours (see 4) and will only ride the freestyle show (see 5.2) at the end of the class.
2.4.

No persons are permitted in the ring during an Equitation class, except to bring rugs, assist with remounting or, at the judge's discretion, provide other assistance. Competitors are encouraged to dismount during other competitors' individual shows.
3. SUBSTITUTION OF HORSES

There will be no bar to the substitution of one horse for another in a side-saddle Equitation Qualifying class.
4.

HORS CONCOURS COMPETITORS
4.1.

Members competing Hors Concours must ensure that the Show Secretary, Judge, and Ring Steward are informed before the commencement of the class.
4.2.

Competitors must provide and wear a white armband.
4.3.

Members competing Hors Concours will only be awerded two Championship Equitation points; they may not receive Side Saddle Association rosettes, Show rosettes or any Prize.
5.

SIDE SADDLE EQUITATION QUALIFYING CLASS JUDGING PROCEDURE
5.1.

competitors enter the ring together and are required by the Judge to walk, trot and canter on the right rein, followed by a change of rein through trot and canter left, before being called into line.
5.2.

Each competitor is asked to give a freestyle show including some walk on one rein, and trot and canter on each rein, and lasting no longer than two minutes. The test will be timed by stopwatch from initial salute to final halt. Competitors will not be penalised for a show lasting less than 2 minutes.
5.3.

Each competitor's saddle and turnout will be inspected after completing the freestyle Show. (SeeTurnout Guidelines)
5.4.

LATECOMERS. Competitors vho enter the ring after the class has started trotting may only compete Hors Concours (see 4).
5.5.

LEAD REIN competitors may only compete Hors Concours (see 4).
6. QUALIFICATION FOR CHAMPIONSHOP

Competitors in Qualifying Equitation Classes are awarded points based on their placings, provided they are carrying their Championship Points Cards, in the ring or arena.
6.1.

Points are awarded as follows:

1st place: 5 points
2nd place: 4 points
3 rd place: 3 points

Two points are awarded for competing but not being placed in the first three. (For Open classes, please also see para. 7 below.)
6.2.

No points are awarded in the event of a fall during a class, or in the event of a competitor leaving the ring without the Judge's permission.
7.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
7.1.

Members of the Association MUST carry their Championship Points Cards whilst competing in Qualifying Classes. They must have their Championship Points Cards signed by the Judge in the ring, or if there is time pressure, collected by the Judge in the ring to be signed outside the ring. NO CARDS - NO S.S.A. ROSETTES OR POINTS. Members presenting their cards after the class are only eligible for 2 championship Equitation points. (Continuation cards can be obtained from the Hon. Enquiries Secretary.)
7.2.

In Open classes, competitors will receive the affiliating Show's trophies, rosettes and prize moneys as they stand.
7.3.

S.S.A. rosettes and championship points shall be awarded to Adults and Juniors as two sections, i.e. the three highest placed Members in the adult section and the three highest placed Members in the junior section will receive S.S.A. rosettes to third place and championship points to third place. All other Members receive two points each.
8.

INSURANCE VOUCHERS AND TURNOUT ROSETTES
8.1.

South Essex Insurance Brokes Ltd. offer, in every Equitation Qualifying class, a ?10 Insurance voucher to the highest placed Member(s) of the Association who have not previously won such a voucher in the current year.
8.2.

Side Saddle International offer a rosette, in Adult and Open Equitation Qualifying Classes, to the Member whom the Judge considers to be the best turned out.
9.

QUALIFIER FOR THE SIR LANCELOT MEMORIAL TROPHY
(selected show only)
9.1.

A rosette will be offered to the Member of the S.S.A. Area in which the show is held, who is judged, in the course of the Adult Equitation Class, to be the most elegant. The winner is eligible to compete in the final at the S.S.A. National Show, for the Sir Lancelot Memorial Trophy donated by Mrs. E. Skelton. A Member may only qualify once between one National Show and the next, and if the Judge's first choice has already qualified, the rosette will be awarded to the next eligible competitor.
9.2.

Up to two "Sir Lancelot" Qualifiers may be held in each Area each year. These are held by invitation of the Chairman of the S.S.A. Area in which the Show(s) is/are held.
10.
 JUDGES
10.1.

All Equitation Qualifying Classes must be judged by a current S.S.A. Panel Judge who is either a Life, Full, Associate or Honorary Member. Judges are responsible for checking from the current S.S.A. Shows and Fixtures List that they are judging at a correctly affiliated show.
10.2.

Judges have the right to remove from the Ring any Competitor who in their opinion uses the whip excessively, or whose Saddlery or Equipment becomes unsafe during the class, or whose horse is
(i) unruly
(ii) lame, or in a condition which the Judge considers unsuitable for competition
(iii) wearing a saddle that is likely to cause it discomfort
(iv) wearing a saddle that is dangerous
10.3.

In all matters the Judge's decision is final, and the Judge should not be consulted at any time.
10.4.

A Judge may only take one Probationary Judge at any one show. Judges are eligible to recommend a Probationary Judge or take a Probationary Judge at a show providing they do not have an * against their name in the Judges List.
10.5.

Sir Lancelot Memorial Trophy will be judged by a recognised Panel or invited guest judge.
10.6.

A Judge may not judge more than two Sir Lancelot Qualifiers between one National Show and the next and preferably not more than one in the same Area.
11. TROPHIES

All trophies which are the property of the Side Saddle Associatio are deemed Perpetual Challenge Trophies.
12. LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

The Side Saddle Association accepts no liability for any accident, damage, injury or illness to horses, riders, grooms, spectators or any other person whatsoever.




SECTION II
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP


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A. GUALIFICATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIP

Any Member entering any Championship Equitation Class must have won at least ten Championship Points in Qualifying classes between the previous and the current National Equitation Championship. The following additional qualifications apply:
1. In oder to qualify to enter the NOVICE EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIPS at Adult and Junior levels, Members must not have;
(i)

been placed first or second in Novice Equitation classes at a National Championship Show within the last three years, or
(ii) been placed in the first six in an Intermediate Equitation class at a National Championship Show within the last three years, or
(iii)

competed in an Open Equitation class at any previous National Championship Show


2.

In oder to qualify to enter the ADULT INTERMEDIATE EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIPS, Menbers must not have;
(i)

been placed first or second in an Intermediate Equitation class at a National Championship Show within the last thee years, or
(ii)

been placed in the first six in an Adult Open Equitation class at a National Championship Show within the last three years.
(N.B. There is no JuniorIntermediate class.)
3.

Members competing Hors Concours must ensure that the Show Secretary, Judge, and Ring Steward are informed before the commencement of the class.
(i)

been placed first or second at least once in Qualifying classes between the dates of the previous and the current National Championship Shows.

EXPLANATORY NOTES
(a)

Members who have been placed first or second in Qualifying classes since the previous National Equitation Championships, but do not feel capable of entering the Open Equitation Championship class, may enter the appropriate Novice or Intermediate Class provided that they have gained at last ten Championship that they have gained at least ten Championship points and are otherwise eligible for the class.
(b)

Members who have at any time competed in Open Equitation Championship classes or have been placed first or second in the Intermediate Equitation Championship class automatically qualify to enter the current year's Open Equitation Championship class, provided that they have won at least ten Championship Points in Qualifying classes.
(c)

Adult Members who were Junior Members in the previous calendar year may enter the Adult Equitation Championship class of their choice, provided that they have gained the appropriate qualifications for the class.
(d)

Each Equitation Championship will have its own Test which will be published in the current year's Shows and Fixtures List.
(e)

At the National Show Members may enter only one Championship class.
(f)

At the National Show a Newcomer is a Member who has not previously competed in an Equitation Championship class at any level.

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B. QUALIFICATION FOR CHAMPIONSHOP
See note below this paragraph defining "place points".
1.

The four Members with the lowest aggregate of place points from the Open Adult Equitation Championship class and the Open Adult Equitation Jumping class, riding the same horse or pony, will go forward to a Ride-Off for the title of Side Saddle Rider of the Year.
2.

The Junior Side Saddle Rider of the Year shall be the Junior Member riding the same horse or pony with the lowest aggregate of place points from the Junior Open Equitation Chapionship class and the Junior Open Equitation Jumping class.
3.

The Adult Open Champion shall be the Adult Member riding the same horse or pony with the lowest aggregate of place points from the Adult Open Equitation Championship class and the Adult Open Equitation Jumping class.
4.

The Adult Intermediate Champion shall be the Adult Member, riding the same horse or pony, with the lowest aggregate of place points from the Adult Intermediate Equitation Championship Class and the Adult Intermediate Equitation Jumping Class.
5.

The Adult Novice Champion will be the Adult Member, riding the same horse or pony, with the lowest aggregate of place points from the Adult Novice Equitation Championship Class and the Adult Novice Equitation Jumping Class.
6.

The Junior Novice Champion will be the Junior Member, riding the same horse or pony, with the lowest aggregate of place points from the Junior Novice Equitation Championship Class and the Junior Novice Equitation Jumping Class.
7.

The Adult Amateur Champion will be the highest placed eligible competitor - i.e. with the lowest aggregate of place points - from the Adult Open Equitation Championship Class and the Adult Open Equitation Jumping Class. The definition of "Amateur" will be given in the National Show Schedule.

NOTE: Place points shall be awarded for places gained under each of the five Judges in these classes (i.e. first place points are divided by 10. In the event of a tie, the competitors with highest marks in the Equitation riding phase shall take the highest place(s). Only those competitors entered in the Rider of the Year Championships shall have place points awarded. The Riders in the Ride Off will not carry any place or marks forward.
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 C. OVERSEAS COMPETITORS
1.

Overseas Members may compete in Equitation Championship classes at Junior, Intermediate or Open level without qualifying points.
2.

Overseas Members are not eligible for any of the Equitation Championship titles without having gained appropriate qualifying points (See Section IIA).
3.

In Equitation and Equitation Jumping classes, English habits, and hard hats where required, are compulsory.
4.

In all other classes, Overseas Members may wear traditional habits.
5.

The Adult Overseas Champion shall be the Adult Overseas Member riding the same horse or pony with the lowest aggregate of place points from the Adult Open Equitation Championship class and the Adult Open Equitation Jumping class.
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D. CONDUCT OF CHAMPIONSHIP EQUITATION TESTS
1.

The Tests will be conducted in accordance with the Side Saddle Association Rules as they appear in the current Members' Handbook.
2.

The approximate time allowed for each test is 5 minutes.
3.

The arena for the Open and Intermediate tests measures 20m x 60m, and for the Novice tests 20m x 40m.
4.

Scale of marks for all tests:

10 - excellent
9 - Very good
8 - good
7 - fairy good
6 - satisfactory
5 - sufficient
4 - insufficient
3 - fairy bad
2 - bad
1 - very bad
0 - not performed.
5.

Penalties for error of course:

1st error = 2 marks.
2nd error = 4 marks.
3rd error = 8 marks.
4th error = elimination.
6.

Equitation Championship tests may not be commanded or performed on a lead rein.
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E. EQUITATION JUMPING

Competitors may only compete once in any Equitation Jumping class, but may ride subsequent rounds, the National Show excepted, hors concours on another horse or horses.
1.

THE COURSE
(a)

The course shall consist of at least six fences:
rustic, coloured or a mixture of both.
(b)

Maximum height of fences:
3'0" (91 cms.) for Adults.
2'6" (76 cms.) for Juniors.
(c)

It is recommended that: -
(i)

The first fence is built on the right rein towards the collecting ring
(ii)

A double should only be included in non Novice courses
(iii) >"Dog leg" turns should NOT be included at any level
2. JUDGING
2.1.

Two judges, marking independently, and positioned in different areas of the Arena, will judge the competitors. At the National Championship there will be a third judge who will be adjudicating the Penalties only; these penalties will be deducted from each set of Bonus points from the other judges.
2.2.

The two Judges will take into account effective horsemanship, suppleness, straightness, poise of the rider, the presentation of the horse to the obstacle, the riders position and the fluency and correct style of both horse and rider over the obstacle and when landing.
2.3.

Each obstacle will attract a maximum of 10 bonus marks using the following scale:

10 - excellent
9 - Very good
8 - good
7 - fairy good
6 - satisfactory
5 - sufficient
4 - insufficient
3 - fairy bad
2 - bad
1 - very bad
0 - not performed

An overall general impression mark out of 20 will be awarded.

An obstacle consisting of two elements (double) counts as a single obstacle.
2.4.

Each competitor will commence the round immediately after the bell (no salute required).
3. PENALTIES

From the bonus marks awarded, the following penalties will be deducted:
2 penalties
1st refusal: 3 penalties
2nd refusal: 6 penalties
3rd refusal: Elimination

Re-crossing original track will be considered a refusal.
Taking wrong course: Elimination
Fall of horse and/or rider in riding: Elimination
Horse and rider leaving the arena: Elimination
Any outside assistance: 10 penalties
4.

SADDLERY AND EQUIPMENT
4.1.

Any conventional bride, with bit, may be used.
4.2.

Only one noseband may be used. It may be either a cavesson, flash, grackle or drop noseband.
4.3.

Martingales are permitted, either running or standing. Neck-stramps are permitted.
4.4.

No side reins, running, draw, check or bearing reins are allowed. Market Harboroughs are not allowed.
4.5.

Boots and bandages are allowed.
4.6.

Blinkers and hoods are not allowed.
4.7.

A whip not more than 1 metre (39") in length may be carried.
4.8.

A blunt spur is optional for Adults but may not be worn by Juniors.
4.9.

Back protectors are permitted. If a jacket is not worn, a sweater of a colour similar to that of the apron must be worn.
4.10.

Headgear: Hats to current British Safety Standard or above, must be worn.




SECTION III
ADDITIONAL CLASSES AVAILABLE TO AFFILIATING SHOWS

The Judge for the following classes shall be SSA Panel Judge or a judge from any other appropriate judges' panel.


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SIDE SADDLE RIDING CLUB HORSE/PONY OPEN CLASS

Open to horses and ponies 4 years old over. Riders will be required to give a short show including a small jump, maximum height 2' (61 cms) excluding the National Show. The height may be adjusted during the couse of the class at the Judge's discretion. The class shall be judged on the show, the manners of the horse/pony, and its suitability for the rider. Conformation will not be considered. A Special rossete will be awarded to the highest placed Adult and Junior Members of the S.S.A.

Hats to current British Safety Standard or above, must be worn.
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BEST HORSE OR PONY TO BE RIDDEN SIDE SADDLE

Open to horses or ponies 4 years old or over: conformation and manners will be taken into consideration. At the Judge's discretion, horses/ponies may be stripped for conformation. Special rosette to the highest placed Adult and Junior Members of the S.S.A.

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WORKING HUNTER AND WORKING HUNTER PONY CLASSES

Riders may be of any age. In all working hunter classes, the spread of the obstacle may not exceed the height.
These classes may be combined at the Judge's discretion.
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SIDE SADDLE OPEN WORKING HUNTER

Open to horses exceeding 15 hands. Height of fences: maximum 2' 9" (84 cms). This class will be judged in accordance with SHBGB marksheets.

Hats to current British Safety Standards must be worn for the jumping phase of this class.
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SIDE SADDLE OPEN WORKING HUNTER PONY

Open to ponies not exceeding 15 hh. Fences not to exceeding 14 hh. will jump a course not exceeding 2' 3" (69 cms); ponies not exceeding 13 hh. a couse not exceeding 2' (61 cms). A special rosette will be awarded to the highest placed 13 hh. and 14 hh. ponies. This class will be judged in accordance with B.S.P.S. mark sheets.

Hats to current British Safety Standards must be worn for this class.

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CONCOURS D'ÉLÉGANCE CLASSES

The Judge for the following two classes shall be from any appropriate panel, a celebrity or the sponsor.
SIDE SADDLE CONCOURS D'ÉLÉGANCE
The sole criterion for this class is the elegance of the picture presented by horse and rider. Attention may be paid to the rider's personal appearance, but detailed inspection of rider or tack is not required. Fancy dress or period costume is not permitted. Competitors are required to walk, trot and canter. No individual show is required, but the Judge may ask groups of three or four riders to give short displays. 2 special rosettes will be awarded: to the highest placed Adult rider wearing a silk hat and to the highest placed Adult rider wearing a bowler hat, provided they are Members of the S.S.A.
N.B. Silk hats are permitted to be worn by Adults in this class AT ANY TIME OF DAY.
Juniors must wear hats to current British Safety Standard or above for this class.
Where this class is a main ring attraction Shows may, at their discretion, limit entries to adult competitors only.
SIDE SADDLE COSTUME CONCOURS D'ÉLÉGANCE
The sole criterion for this class is the elegance of the picture presented by horse/pony and rider and the way of going of the horse/pony. Safe tack must be used. Detailed inspection of the rider's periond costume is not required. Fancy Dress is not permitted. Competitors are required to walk, trot and canter. No indivudual show is required, but the judge may ask small groups of riders to give short displays. 2 Special rosettes will be awarded: to the highest placed Adult and Junior Members of the S.S.A.
Competitors should produce a brief written résumé of their costume for the Commentator.
Juniors must wear hats to current British Safety Standard or above for this class.

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EQUITATION JUMPING (to be run under S.S.A. Rules)

The couse shall consist of six to eight fences: rustic, coloured or a mixture of both. Maximum heights of fences: 3'0" (91 cms) for Adults, 2'6" (76 cms) for Juniors.

Hats to current British Safety Standard or above, must be worn.

Shows may title their class(es) at their discretion, i.e. Open, Intermediate, Novice, Junior, Beginners, etc., but jumps may not exceed 3' (91 cms) for Adults or 2'6" (76 cms) for Juniors.

SHOW JUMPING CLASSES

To be judged in accordance with BSJA rules. Table A7 and speed 325 mpm. The maximum permitted length of whip, including the tassel, is 1 metre (39")

Hats to current British Safety standard or above must be worn.

PONY RIDER SIDE SADDLE

Open to ponies not exceeding 148 cms (14.2 hh). The course will consist of 6 to 10 obstacles, minimum height of 46 cm (1'6") and maximum height of 61 cm (2'), spread not to exceed 61 cm (2'). There will be no doubles.

HORSE STARTER SIDE SADDLES STAKES

Open to Horses exceeding 148 cms (14.2 hh). The course will consist of 6 to 10 obstacles, minimum height of 61 cm (2') and maximum height of 76 cm (2' 6"), spread not to exceed 76 cm (2' 6"). There will be one double of uprights.

TOP HAT SIDE SADDLE STAKES

Open to Adult riders only. Table A7 speed 325 mpm. The course will consist of 6 to 10 obstacles, minimum height 2' 9" (84 cms), maximum 3' 0" (91 cms) approx., and spread not to exceed 3' 0" (107 cms). In the event of a tie after the first round there will be a timed jump-off.

Hats to current British Safety standard or above must be worn.
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FOR AFFILIATING S.S.A. AREA OR S.S.A. MEMBER SHOWS ONLY
MIDLAND SIDESADDLERY ADULT AND JUNIOR INTERMEDIATE EQUITATION QUALIFYNG CLASS

Adult Members - see the qualifications for the Adult Intermediate Equitation Championships in Section II (2) and for Juniors Members who have not been placed in the first 6 in a previous Junior Open Championship Class within the last three years.

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NON-QUALIFYING EQUITATION CLASSES

MIDLAND SIDESADDLERY NOVICE SIDE SADDLE EQUITATION CLASS

"Midland SideSaddlery Rosettes will be awarded to the 4 highest placed SSA Members."
Open to riders who have never competed in a Side Saddle Association Equitation Qualifying class. A short simple show will be required. (Qualifying points for Equitation championship classes at the National Championship Show are not awarded in this class.)

MIDLAND SIDESADDLERY RESTRICTED SIDE SADDLE EQUITATION CLASS

Open to riders who have never been placed in the first three in a Side Saddle Association Equitation Qualifying class. A short simple show will be required. (Qualifying points for Equitation championship classes at the National Championship Show are not awarded in this class.)

These classes are designed only Area or Members' Shows. Shows may vary the entry qualification of these classes in order to attract further novice or restricted entries at their discretion. The Schedule will clearly state the Show's rules regarding turnout.

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SIDE SADDLE HISTORICAL COSTUME CLASS
The Judge should have knowledge of historical costume. This class will be judged at walk. The Judge may inspect costumes and tack closely, for historical accuracy, when the class is lined up. 2 Special rosettes will be awarded: to the highest placed Adult and Junior Members of the S.S.A.
Juniors must wear hats to current British Safety Standard or above, for this class.

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SPECIAL ROSETTES

The S.S.A. offers Shows the option of awarding rosettes to the highest placed SideSaddle Association Member in such classes as Ladies' Hunter, Ladies' Hack. Side-Saddle Show Pony etc.




SADDLERY AND EQUIPMENT
required by other societies


DRESSAGE:
BRITISH DRESSAGE rules apply concerning bitting and saddlery, with the exception that Double or Pelham bridles are permitted in Freestyle to Music classes at the S.S.A. National Show. British Dressage Preliminary & Novice Dressage Tests may only be ridden in a snaffle bridle.
RIDING CLUB DRESSAGE rules state that a whip may be carried in Horse Trials and Dressage Championships and qualifying classes for these championships by competitors riding side-saddle.
PONY CLUB DRESSAGE Some Tests may be ridden in a Snaffle or Simple Double bridle, and others only in a Snaffle. Please check carefully.

No protection of horses' legs is permitted in any dresage test.
All Dressage and Dressage to Music Test Sheets may be obtained from British Dressage, The National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. CV8 2RJ.


WORKING HUNTER: SHBGB Rules apply. A change of saddle is permitted to enable the judge to ride, if she or he does not ride side-saddle.

WORKING HUNTER PONY: B.S.P.S. Rules apply

SHOW JUMPING: B.S.J.A. Rules apply.

EQUITATION JUMPING: See Rules under Equitation Jumping.

S.S.A. EQUITATION: See Turnout Guidelines.

OTHER CLASSES: Appropriate Society affiliation rules from the show schedule override S.S.A. rules