THE GOLDEN BUTTON CHALLENGE IS FOR EXPERIENCED RIDERS AND HORSES ONLY. IF YOU AND YOUR MOUNT WOULD NOT BE COMFORTABLE IN TACKLING AN OPEN LEVEL TEAM CHASE COURSE THEN THIS EVENT IS NOT FOR YOU!

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All riders must have walked the course in advance.

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1. ACCEPTANCE OF RULES

All Golden Button Challenge competitors shall accept and be bound by the following Rules.

 

   2. RIDERS RESPONSIBILITY

In the case of any Rule affecting riders or their horses, the rider shall be held responsible. In particular riders will be held responsible for adhering to Rules 3 (Protection), 6 (Age), 8 (Exhausted Horses), 9 (Horse Welfare), 10 (Abuse of Horses), 11 (Exchanging Horses) and 14 (Personal Accident Insurance).

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   3. SAFETY AND PROTECTION

It is compulsory for all competitors to wear crash helmets to current recognised Safety Standards at all times when mounted. Such hats will be identified by a BTC, BE, BRC, or Pony Club Approved Hat Tag. i.e. Hats must meet one of the following standards:

British All PAS015, BSEN1384 or European EN1384 provided they are BSI kitemarked or SEI. American All SEI ASTM 95, ASTM F1163:2004, SNELL E2001. Australian and New Zealand All AS/NZS 3838 2003

Competitors are strongly recommended to check their hats regularly and to replace them if damaged or following a fall.

All competitors must also wear a British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) approved and appropriately labelled Level 3 body protector manufactured in the year 2002 or after. A body protector of this nature is also required when competitors are wearing air jackets of any make.

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   4. TACK

Hunting tack is acceptable and will be inspected by a Paddock Steward before the ride. Horse shoes must not have studs or equivalent and are prohibited for safety reasons. No blinkers or visors to be worn.

 

   5. WEIGHT

Minimum weight to be carried is 11st to include their saddle and breastplate, but NOT the horse’s bridle or the rider’s hat.

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6. RIDERS AGE AND EXPERIENCE

No person shall ride until they have attained the age of sixteen. Any rider who is found to be in violation of this rule is deemed to be riding entirely at the risk of themselves and their parents or guardian, and will be subject to immediate disqualification from the event.

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7. VETERINARY MATTERS AND PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

There will be a minimum of 3 vets on the course. All horses will be liable to inspection prior to the challenge by the course vet and may be refused a starting position if deemed unfit or unsound. The decision of the course Vet to put a horse down on humane grounds must be accepted by all competitors. Competitors will be expected to pay for any services received from the veterinary surgeon, farrier, horse ambulance, doctor or any other medical services. At any stage within the Challenge any course VET appointed by the organisers has the authority to stop any competitor continuing should they deem it necessary for the welfare of the horse (see Rule 8)

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8. EXHAUSTED HORSES

As per rule 7 at any stage within the Challenge any course VET appointed by the organisers has the AUTHORITY to stop any competitor continuing should they deem necessary for the welfare of the horse. The competitor does not have any right to ignore the Vet or Course Official.

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9. HORSE WELFARE

The whip should only be used for good reason, not excessively, in the right place and at the appropriate time. Spurs must not be used to reprimand a horse and a bit should never be used to abuse or reprimand a horse. Horses competing must not be over 16 years of age. Horses must have passports available for inspection on the day.

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10. ABUSE OF HORSES

Any act or series of actions, which in the opinion of the Stewards constitutes abuse of a horse shall be considered to be a breach of these Rules and will incur elimination.

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11. EXCHANGING HORSES

No rider may exchange horses once the Challenge has started.

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12. FALLS

Horse Falls – When a horse falls the competitor is immediately eliminated and must retire. This does not prevent horses which stumble or refuse, thus unseating the rider, from being remounted to continue, subject to Rule 13.

It is recommended that competitors who suffer a heavy fall should see an on-duty Doctor before leaving the event; however, competitors are to take their own responsibility in doing so.

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13. REFUSALS

The number of refusals shall not exceed three at any one fence.

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14. Personal Accident Insurance:

It is a requirement that all participants carry Third Party insurance for not less than £1m. It is also strongly recommended that all participants have Personal Accident Insurance. This MUST be submitted with your entry. Failure to provide a copy may result in your entry being withdrawn.

 

15. ORGANISER’S RIGHTS

The Organiser reserves the right to cancel the event, to refuse any entry, to alter advertised times, to withhold all or any prizes, and to eliminate or prevent any competitor from competing who is adjudged not to be adhering to the Rules.

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16. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

Save for death or personal injury caused by the negligence of the event Organisers for which they are legally responsible, neither the Organisers of any event to which these Rules apply, nor any representative of these bodies or The Ledbury Hunt and the landowners accepts any liability for any accident, loss damage, injury or illness to horses, owners, riders, spectators, land, vehicles, contents or accessories or any other person whatever, whether caused by their negligence or in any other way.