Speed

The Speed phase is part of a 3 phase competition which is typically included in live events. We will be running this phase every other competition. This will give you the opportunity to experience the addition of this round in the Ease of Handling course as a test of the efficiency of your partnership together in the obstacles.

Navigation on the course is at your discretion, but you are advised to maintain the confidence of your horse by keeping the pace and ease of execution in mind so as not to jeopardise your Ease of Handling training. You cannot exceed the gait of the obstacles that are required for your level. Think about travelling on shorter more efficient lines to save time, especially on a small course. You can be creative in your execution of the obstacles as long as you meet the requirements.

The speed round may also have obstacles removed or executed differently from the Ease of Handling round, or a different order of obstacles in a competition. In our case we are keeping the same course with some different requirements in the speed round.

Requirements

Competition #12 has a speed phase for Preparatory, Preliminary, and Novice levels.

The course needs to be as accurate as possible, so you will need to use the course measurements for the level as per the Ease of Handling page. The speed round uses the same Ease of Handling course with some modifications. Halts are not required. You must still use the gait of the obstacles as per level and abide by the transition markers.

For any obstacle that involves handling an object (i.e. rope, pole, cup, etc.) if the object is dropped then the rider can continue without dismounting to retrieve the obstacle (a time penalty is applied) and complete as if the object is still in hand. At ELEMENTARY levels and above however, the rider must dismount and retrieve the object to avoid disqualification.

The stockyard has only one direction in the speed. Gate must be completed as per Ease of Handling requirements for the competition level but no halt is required. Bell Corridor does not require a halt. All other course directives are still in place except for these particular notes for the levels as below:

Preparatory

The halt over pole obstacle is a walk over pole between the markers.

Preparatory rounds CANNOT do a gait faster than a trot. If more than 3 strides of canter are seen in a round then you will receive a time penalty.

PreLIMINARY

You must only do the obstacles at a maximum pace of trot, otherwise a time penalty will be given. Canter is allowed in-between. (Note: if the course has a jump then canter over the jump is allowed).

NOVICe

Canter in the obstacles and canter between obstacles is allowed (but not required) including the slaloms. Canter lead changes DO NOT need to transition through walk or trot.

ELEMENTARY

Canter lead changes DO NOT need to transition through walk. For obstacles with objects that are handled, you must retrieve any dropped object and complete the obstacle with the object to avoid disqualification, including the pole coming out of the barrel (if the barrel falls over but the pole remains inside then no further action is required although a time penalty is applied).

How is this round scored?

The phase placings will be done based on time, starting when you enter through the start flags until you pass through the finish flags.

Where a gait is required at obstacles or in-between, an inappropriate gait will receive a time penalty. The obstacle start and end are at the point of entry and exit if there are no transition markers.

Transitions for obstacle entry/exit markers needs to be outside of the markers otherwise penalty time will be incurred.

There will also be time penalties for dropping handled objects (Preparatory to Novice levels).

You are expected to finish each obstacle otherwise the round is disqualified.

Identical to the Ease of Handling round you will be disqualified for doing a course in the wrong order or direction of entry indicated on the course map, or passing through the finish flags before the course is completed. Passing through the start or finish flags in the wrong direction is not a disqualification, however incurs a time penalty.

You need to salute the judge before and after the speed round otherwise, there is a 10 sec penalty time added for missing the salute.

The final scores will be points based on the placings of each competitor in order of lowest time. The points earned in each phase are combined to produce the overall points and competitor placings.