The Role of The TECHNICAL DELEGATE & The GROUND JURY Darryl burgess

1. The Role of The TECHNICAL DELEGATE & The GROUND JURYDarryl burgess The Technical Delegate (TD), Ground Jury (GJ), Course Designer (CD) and the Veterinary Delegate (Vet), in conjunction with the Organising Committee (OC) shall endeavour to ensure that all the arrangements for the event are fair, safe and appropriate. This shall include the arenas, courses, obstacles and footing. At National CNC Events, when there is no Ground Jury the TD will work in conjunction with the CD, Vet and OC.

2. Technical Delegate • The Technical Delegate (TD), Ground Jury (GJ), Course Designer (CD) and the Veterinary Delegate (Vet), in conjunction with the Organising Committee (OC) shall endeavour to ensure that all the arrangements for the event are fair, safe and appropriate. This shall include the arenas, courses, obstacles and footing. • At National CNC Events, when there is no Ground Jury the TD will work in conjunction with the CD, Vet and OC.

3. Technical Delegate cont. • The TD has the authority to warn or stop an athlete on XC for dangerous riding, riding an exhausted horse, excessive pressing of a tired horse, riding an obviously lame horse excessive use of whip and/or spurs or riding in any unsafe way. • There are options available for warnings: • A minor warning (not recorded) • A recorded verbal warning • A serious warning (with or without disqualification or 25 Dangerous Riding penalties) • A Yellow Card warning (with or without disqualification or 25 Dangerous Riding penalties) • Report to EA for disciplinary procedures (with or without disqualification or 25 Dangerous Riding penalties)

4. Ground Jury • This seminar is mainly concerned with National events but it necessary for all TD’s to have a basic understanding of FEI rules and the role of the Ground Jury. • Remember if it is not covered by the National Eventing Rules you need to refer to the FEI Discipline Rules. • For National Events: • National Judges will Judge the dressage test. That is their only responsibility. • The TD will liaise with Central Control and every effort should be made to run ‘Control’ even at a low level event to allow the TD to be on course assisting Jump Judges with queries, restarting of held athletes and communicating with the CD, Vet and fence repair teams. • For FEI Events: • THE GJ is ultimately responsible for the Judging of the event and for settling all problems that may arise. If after consultation with the TD the GJ is not satisfied with the arrangements the GJ may modify them. • The GJ will judge the dressage test. • The GJ inspects the XC and the Jumping courses with the TD & CD. • A GJ member will be present in XC control and another could be at the start or roving around the CC course. A member must be available to go to the finish if required by the Vet.

5. Things to check Prior to the Event • Download and print the latest National Eventing Rules that incorporates the FEI Eventing Rules. Have an understanding of the General Regulations, Veterinary Regulations, FEI memorandum and have a copies of all rules and guidelines on your laptop or tablet at the event. • Ask the OC for draft maps prior to your first XC course inspection. If possible try to visit the course a week before. If the course is new or you have not been an official at the course previously it is important to inspect prior to the event. • Ensure that you have checked the Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER) for all athletes in 1* and above classes. If it is a NSW event you will be sent a file with all MER’s. Know what MER’s are required for both National and International Events. • Ensure that Reverse Qualification for all entries have been checked. • For 2014 all riders must be current EA members or members of the HOST club. (Host club membership can only be used for Classes EvA80 (Introductory) and below. Riders in classes EvA95 and above must be current EA members. Check with EvNSW or the Club Secretary that all have been checked for correct membership.

6. Things to check Prior to the Event…cont. • All horses competing in EvA95 (PN) and above must be registered with EA, be micro chipped and be current for Eventing. Horse registration is not an insurance issue, but results will not be valid if the horse is not registered. • Check athletes in EvA105 (PN) and above for Riding Down (RD). • RD incurs 10 penalties and you need to check that the scorer records the penalties correctly - not as a dressage penalty but in the other penalty column. INTERNATIONAL EVENTS additional requirements • All horses and Riders must have current FEI registration. • 3* & 4* MER’s are also checked by the FEI prior to the event. Ensure that you have a full MER file and that any correspondence from the FEI regarding MER’s has been forwarded to you. • Make sure you have a copy of the FEI fence description form and the 2014 FEI fence type form. The scorer / Secretary is busy running the event so bring the correct forms and rule books with you.

7. Dressage • Check the layout of the arenas well before the start of the dressage phase. • Ensure that the Dressage Judges have been briefed on the differences between Eventing dressage and straight dressage – e.g. whips, leaving the arena, ½ marks will be introduced in 2015. Continue to mark a test until the end unless the rider chooses to retire or the horse is markedly lame. In the case of lameness you should arrange for the Vet to inspect the horse ASAP. • Check that they have a radio in case they need to contact you, or the office…it is rare but there can be accidents in the dressage phase and emergency personal may be required. • Ensure that you have picked up the mobile number contact list, there will be times when you need to ring the Office, Vet or Paramedic.

8. Cross Country • Check all obstacle measurements and consult with the CD about any concerns. • Check all course distances. • Ensure that all portables are securely pegged. (Rotational falls can be the results of a portable jumps moving when hit by a horse) • Check maps and sign. Advise the OC ASAP so that printing can commence and advise riders that the course maps are available. • Consider if Stopping Zones would assist with the running of the event. And consult with the CD & OC if they are needed. Advise control of the preferred SZ’s • Check that the radios are charging (at least 12 hours before the start of XC) • Check that a Paramedic will be on the grounds for all Cross-Country and Jumping. (compulsory) • Check that at least one horse ambulance is situated on the XC course. (compulsory) • Check that a Vet is present for all Cross-Country and Jumping. (compulsory) • If possible have a farrier present or at minimum a farrier on call. Competitors must pay the farrier for all work.

9. Cross Country cont. • Check with Fence Repair that they understand their duties and have the necessary equipment. • Check that horse screens are with Fence Repair or the Vet. • Understand the jump flow sheet and ensure that folders are correctly labelled. • Familiarise yourself with the folders and check that they contain Fall Reports and Jump Judge guidelines. Not all clubs will use the same format for Start/Finish – you need to check that the sheets will work for the scorer. • Each folder should contain at least one map. • Check that all officials and Jump Judges will have radios! And that officials have a mobile number contact list. • Ensure that the clocks are set. A large clock for the start and the finish, and an additional small clock for the first jump and last jump and one for control and one for you. • Prepare for the briefing!

10. Jumping • Familiarise your self with the jumping running order. • Speak to the Designer prior to the course being built and check that they have a specification sheet and if they are not familiar with Eventing give them a copy of the EvNSW Jumping Guidelines and Rules. • arrange for the Designer to contact you when the first course is ready for inspection. • Check that there is a marshal and how the OC wishes to run the jumping…e.g. Marshal, white board or running order. Be aware to let Jumping officials know that multiple riders might have to fit in when necessary. • Check that the Jumping Officials have radios and a mobile contact list. • If running XC and Jumping at the same time allocate a different channel for Jumping and check that the Vet and Paramedic have two radios set on both XC and Jumping channels.

11. At the end of the day • Riders may query results, listen to their side of the story and try make a decision in the best interest of the sport. • If you need to contact a Jump Judge be supportive of their opinion, they are Volunteers and need to know that they are important to the sport. • Remember you have a clock at the first and last jump this can quite often resolve timing issues. • Consider if the query ‘makes a difference’ • Don’t be rushed in making decisions, consider all the implications and try to be Rider, Organising Committee and Official friendly. • Make sure you are happy with all results and take the time to check them, especially the CC analysis carefully. • Make sure you are aware of all falls for your TD report. Horse falls must be recoded as such. • Forward any warnings to Eventing NSW and EA within 48 hours. • All Officials must be prepared to be recorded on the National Website as the Official issuing the warning along with the Riders name and the reason for the warning. • Keep a copy of the program, maps and final results. • Do your Report ASAP