- Section A: General Regulations
- Section E: Dressage and Para-Dressage
- Section G: Hunter, Jumper, Equitation and Hack
Noteworthy updates and changes are outlined below.
SECTION A: GENERAL REGULATIONS
Under Section A, a new article on vaccinations (A519) has been added with the aim of reducing the potential for disease to spread at EC sanctioned competitions. EC is strongly recommending that all equines at EC sanctioned competitions or events be accompanied by proof that Equine Influenza and Equine Herpes Virus (1&4) vaccinations have been administered at a maximum of 12-month intervals. However, horses competing in competitions should receive a booster for Equine Influenza and for Equine Herpes Virus within 6 months +21 days before arrival at an event. Additionally, no horse should receive vaccination within 7 days of arrival of a competition. The frequency of vaccine administration should be as recommended by the vaccine manufacturer or veterinarian, and it is recommended that vaccines be administered by or under the direction of a veterinarian. Article A519 also outlines acceptable vaccination documentation. It is intended that vaccination requirement compliance will be universally enforced for all equines entering Equestrian Canada sanctioned competitions beginning in 2020.
Under A1003 Permitted Medications, the rules outlining Prohibited Practice were amended for clarification. The administration of any medication or substance by injection to a horse (including NSAIDs) is not permitted before competition on the day in which the horse competes, other than IV rehydration fluids and antimicrobials (exception: procaine penicillin G is prohibited) administered by a licensed veterinarian more than 6 hours prior to the start time of the class. By exception, horses scheduled to compete in a class starting after 6 pm can be treated by injection up until 10 am on the day they compete. To note, the elimination guidelines published for the EC Medication Control program still apply. Both the elimination guidelines and prohibited practices must be adhered to.
Under A1004 Drugs, the definition of “drug” was amended to align with the definition stated in A1001.4 Introduction (to Equine Medication Control). A “drug” means any substance as defined in the Canadian Pari-Mutual Agency (CPMA) Schedule of Drugs; https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-91-365/page-16.html
SECTION E: DRESSAGE AND PARA-DRESSAGE
Under E 7.27 Reference Chart for Freestyles Offered at Gold Championships and E 7.29 Reference Chart for Freestyles offered at Silver Championships, a Training Level freestyle test has been added to the freestyle tests offered at both Silver and Gold Championships. This amendment aligns with the adoption of the USDF freestyle tests and the introduction of a Training Level freestyle test for 2019.
Under E 9.3.16 Execution of the Tests – Errors and Penalties: Details as to the Freestyle Test and E 9.5 Elimination from a Class, an athlete must now enter the arena within 30 seconds of the music starting, and not 20 seconds. Exceeding 30 seconds will entail elimination. This amendment aligns with penalties on USDF and FEI freestyle tests.
Under E 10.4 Freestyle Scoring, half and full points are now used for Technical Execution, and half, full and one tenth marks may now be used for Artistic Impression, rather than half marks being used for all marks in freestyle tests. This amendment aligns with the scoring method on the new test sheets, as well as the 1/10th points for Artistic Impression used by USDF and FEI.
SECTION G: HUNTER, JUMPER, EQUITATION AND HACK
Under FEI Article 235 Faults, amendments were made following changes to the FEI Jumping rules. In the case of a fall of an Athlete and/or Horse after crossing the finish line in a Competition with an immediate jump-off, the Athlete/Horse combination is eliminated from the jump-off. That Athlete and/or Horse will be placed equal last in the jump-off with Athletes who have withdrawn, retired or been eliminated from the jump-off, and not according to their score in the initial round.
Under FEI Article 247 Elimination or Withdrawal from a Jump-off or Second Round, amendments were made following changes to the FEI Jumping rules. An Athlete, who with the permission of the Ground Jury withdraws from a jump-off, must always be placed equal with, and not after, an Athlete eliminated or who retires on the course.
- View the amendment summary
- View the complete rule book, Section G: Hunter, Jumper, Equitation and Hack
For more information on the EC Rules, visit www.equestrian.ca/programs-services/rules.
Questions, Comments?
For questions or comments regarding the EC Rules, please contact:
Lindsey Blakely
Coordinator, Technical Programs – Officials and Rules
lblakely@equestrian.ca
1-866-282-8395 x 111