Biltmore Challenge Endurance Ride

May 5, 2012

Rules

riding the trails

GENERAL: 
--   All AERC/SERA rules apply to Open riders.
--   Equines must be at least 60 months old for AERC 50/75/100.   For FEI, for the 50 and 75, equines must by 72 months old; for the 100, equines must be 84 months old.
--   No stallions. 
--  Rules regarding discourtesy to officials and protest procedures are stated in the AERC endurance rules.
-- No ties will be allowed for prizes (can AERC tie).  For a 'dead heat' a coin will be tossed or riders will decide.

BILTMORE:
1. PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR: Protective headgear is required whenever mounted prior to and including Saturday.
2. SMOKING:  Smoking is prohibited on trails; OK in camp or at vet check.
3.  DOGS:  Dogs must be on a leash at all times and confined (not tied) when you are riding.
4.  FIRES:  Open fires are prohibited.  Charcoal grills are OK.
5.  MOTORIZED VEHICLES:  Only licensed drivers may drive motorized vehicles.
6.  TRASH:  Remove your own trash.
7.  HAY: Greatly excess hay, treat as trash (bag and remove).  Remains can be spread.
8.  MANURE: Manure should be spread if camped along river; if in sub-field, please put in manure spreader.
9.  CREW ACCESS: 
----> No water crewing before or immediately after Arrival Timer.
----> No on-trail crewing, unless management decides to allow one crew point on the last two loops of the 100-mile ride only.
----> Maximum of two people per equine at pulse & vet presentation. 

FEI:
Additional USEF and FEI rules and requirements will be summarized in an attachment, beyond what is in the judging criteria and the fit to continue.

JUDGING CRITERIA: 
Control checks will all be ‘gate into hold’, with 64 pulse requirement, unless control judge staff determines otherwise.  For non-finish checks, for AERC the equine must meet this criteria within 30 min of arrival at check or be disqualified; for FEI the equine must meet this criteria within 20 min of arrival at check or be disqualified.  Horses must be judged 'fit to continue'.  Other criteria, including exit exam, may be included in rider packet or announced at rider meeting if weather is a factor. 

Finishing criteria will be Fit to Continue including recovery.  For AERC completion, recovery is to pulse rate of 64 or below within 1 hour of finish.  For FEI, the equine must meet criteria within 30 minutes of finish.   As soon as pulse is down, the equine may be brought for the final exam, but MUST be presented within the allotted time to avoid disqualification. 

Cardiac Recovery Index (CRI) may be used, including final vetting for Best Condition. 

VET DECISIONS ARE FINAL!

FIT TO CONTINUE:   

  • The equine must be metabolically stable. 
  • Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter (thumps) must not be present at the time of the vet exam for any checkpoint including post-ride exam. 
  • There must be no gait aberration that is consistently observable under all circumstances that results in pain or threatens immediate athletic performance, exam to be conducted at trot, straight out and back, without prior flexion or palpation. 
  • Any soreness or wounds that affect equine’s ability to go on may be cause for non-completion. 
  • An equine may not have received medical treatment by a vet or layman prior to final exam.  An equine must not require treatment for a soundness or metabolic problem.  An equine that a ride veterinarian advises should be treated, but treatment is refused by rider or owner, shall be considered in the same light as a equine that has been treated and disallowed completion.
©2011 PCC