PONY CLUB ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC GUIDELINES FOR THE SAFETY & COMFORT OF THE RIDER AND HORSE INCORPORATING THE GEAR CHECKING MANUAL January 2020 2 PCASA GEAR CHECKING MANUAL January 2020 PCASA GEAR CHECKING MANUAL January 2020 3 * * REMEMBER * * RIDERS NEED TO BE SAFE TO RIDE In order to RIDE SAFELY 4 PCASA GEAR CHECKING MANUAL January 2020 FOREWARD by DR WARWICK VALE BSc BVMS (Hons II) FEI Veterinary Delegate Honorary Veterinary Advisor to the PCAWA (Past Pony Club Member) Any Equestrian organisation that aims to produce a comprehensive instructional manual or handbook that offers its sport a template for improvement and development, must inevitably draw on all its resources and energy reserves. Manuals like these are essential tools in the training of officials in sports and also meet the mandatory requirements of good sport governance and risk management. There are many difficulties faced in conducting such a project and these stem from a number of areas. The successful integration of acquired wisdom, horsemanship and history with the elements of newer technologies/equipment, advances in equitation, more progressive coaching practices and better horse management is no easy task. The distillation of long practiced procedures and commonly held belief systems into a formalised and substantiated document presents a unique challenge. The presentation of such complex sporting technical matters into readable material that is also an applicable educational resource for equestrian people of all types, both young and inexperienced through to those that are older and wiser is also a difficult goal to achieve. The areas of safety, risk, injury, welfare and insurance all directly influence the governance and management of sports in these times, now more so than ever. The Risk Management plans of all sporting organisations are often addressed by the development of written resource materials. These are successfully used to reduce the risk profile in sports that by their inherent nature are risky for the participants. The riding of horses today can best be regarded as a high risk activity by anybody‟s measure. Within the Pony Club movement, the modern focus upon Pony Club activities that are more “competitively based” in addition to the traditional “pleasure” and coaching activities has also increased the pressure in this area. PCASA GEAR CHECKING MANUAL January 2020 5 This manual is meant to be read by both the Pony Club equestrian novice and the Pony Club equestrian “master”. Both will benefit from its readability, its accuracy in detail, and the comprehensive approach that has been taken. It is a fantastic reference for the casual rider and those that compete with somewhat more passion and vigor. As such this manual must, in my opinion, be viewed as the standard reference that is still very much a work in constant progress and evolution. It is my belief that a manual like this is long overdue and has immense value for the PCA movement across Australia. I can say, that it is my experience and opinion that this manual, is not only a cut above what is currently on offer, but it can also now define itself as a manual that will set a standard for equestrian sports development, training and management in the future for any equestrian group in the world. I personally see the timely implementation of this manual as a core responsibility of the management team of the PCAWA and I congratulate them and the sport technical volunteers that have written this manual for their initiative and Herculean effort. Dr. Warwick Vale BSc BVMS (Hons II) FEI Veterinary Delegate Honorary Veterinary Advisor to the PCAWA (past Pony Club Member) This PCASA Gear Checkers Manual has been adapted from the PCAWA Manual. The Pony Club Association of South Australia wishes to express acknowledgement to PCAWA for the ground work and information provided in the West Australian Manual. 6 PCASA GEAR CHECKING MANUAL January 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWARD ............................................................................................................................ 4 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 9 INSURANCE ......................................................................................................................... 10 STIRRUP MEASURES .......................................................................................................... 10 A GEAR CHECKER'S LAMENT ........................................................................................... 11 TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT OF ILL-FITTING GEAR ........................................................ 12 UNIFORM & SADDLERY REQUIREMENTS FOR PONY CLUB ........................................ 13 GEAR CHECKING AT PONY CLUB RALLIES, EFFICIENCY CERTIFICATES, COMPETITIONS etc. ............................................................................................................ 14 1. OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................................................... 14 2. ADJUSTING GEAR .................................................................................................................................. 14 3. GEAR CHECKERS ................................................................................................................................... 15 4. RISK MANAGEMENT & SAFETY ............................................................................................................ 15 5. ACTIVITY ORGANISERS ......................................................................................................................... 16 QUALIFICATION FOR GEAR CHECKERS .......................................................................... 17 1. WHY BECOME QUALIFIED? ................................................................................................................... 17 2. QUALIFICATION IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE: ........................................................................................ 17 3. CRITERIA FOR QUALIFICATION ............................................................................................................ 17 SUGGESTED PROCEDURE FOR GEAR CHECKING......................................................... 18 1. INSPECTION OF RIDER.......................................................................................................................... 18 2. INSPECTION OF SADDLERY ................................................................................................................. 18 3. INSPECTION OF HORSE ........................................................................................................................ 19 GEAR CHECKERS‟ REPORT FORM ................................................................................... 20 NOT PERMITTED AT ANY PCASA ACTIVITY ..................................................................... 21 PCASA UNIFORM – RIDER - GENERAL ............................................................................. 22 1. PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR...................................................................................................................... 22 2. PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR – FITTING ................................................................................................... 23 3. SHIRTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 23 4. LONG SLEEVED POLO/RUGBY TOPS .................................................................................................. 23 5. TIES .......................................................................................................................................................... 23 6. PONY CLUB / ZONE V-NECKED JUMPER IN REGISTERED COLOUR/S ............................................ 24 7. BADGE ..................................................................................................................................................... 24 8. JODHPURS .............................................................................................................................................. 24 9. BOOTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 24 10. LEGGINGS / GAITERS ............................................................................................................................ 25 11. CHAPETTES ............................................................................................................................................ 25 12. SPURS ..................................................................................................................................................... 25 13. JEWELLERY ............................................................................................................................................ 25 14. GLASSES ................................................................................................................................................. 25 15. GLOVES ................................................................................................................................................... 25 16. HAIR ........................................................................................................................................................