If you are new to competing or heading into a new area of competition it can be daunting trying to understand the rules and make sure that you don’t make a mistake on your entries.
Here are our top tips for entering a competition:
General tips
Check the schedule and closing date. Fees can apply after the closing date and if sufficient entries are reached then entries may also close early – so be quick!
You might think that some competition venues close their entries early – this is to encourage you to enter promptly so that the venue has time to ensure it has enough staff/judges, order the right number of score sheets and ensure there are enough daylight hours for everyone to compete. It can be difficult to book an additional judge at short notice when entries come in at the last minute.
If you don’t understand something, re read the schedule and check the venue website or the association (BS, BS, BE etc) to see if you can find your answer. Failing that the venue secretary should be able to help, or of course call upon the knowledge of our lovely members and ask in EquiTeam Connected.
Entry forms
Make sure you complete an entry form correctly – if it is an online form, double check you are entering the correct event – many busy competition venues will run similar shows/schedule on different dates. It is awful to turn up on the day to find you have entered a competition on a different day – believe me it happens!
If it is a paper form, it is common for venues to use one form for all their competitions so read it carefully and complete the correct columns and information.
Make sure you include your contact details in case there is a problem with your entry. There is usually an additional information box/notes to secretary which you might want to put anything relevant in such as ‘travelling with Jane Smith’. They might not be able to accommodate every request, but most are very helpful.
Issuing of times
Most competitions now provide a start time – this is one of the few positives to come from Covid! The times/order should be available on the venue’s website prior to the event, or through your booking platform such as Horse Monkey. The date they are available will be on the original competition schedule.
You will be able to see who else is entered in your class. This can be both a positive and a negative – it’s great to see if your friends are going to be there, but equally don’t get caught up with other competitors if you feel that they are of a different standard to yourself.
Entries on the day
Less venues now accept entries on the day – which will obviously influence your start time – an example of this being showing where you need your crystal ball.
Sometimes organisers accept a mix of pre-entries and accept entries on the day if there is space – so double check before setting off.
Allow yourself plenty of time to get to the venue and if you are going to a new venue make sure you check their website for specific directions, don’t just rely on your sat nav – no one wants to be stuck in their lorry or trailer on the wrong dead end road.
On the day
If the competition is accepting entries on the day, make sure you enter in plenty of time, some competitions will accept entries after a class has begun, but this is usually at the judge’s discretion.
Declare on arrival. Make yourself known to the secretary, or to the collecting ring steward – it is helpful for them to know that you have arrived and they may have information for you – such as a delay in a start time, change of arena. We would always recommend asking if the class is running to time – there is nothing worse than been warmed up 30 minutes ahead of time if the class is running late.
Dressage tips
For British Dressage (BD) it is the competitor’s responsibility to provide both horse and rider registration numbers and your section every time you enter.
Results have to be submitted to BD within 48hrs, complete with registration numbers, and if the organiser doesn’t have this information then you will be put in the Gold section which is not helpful if you are trying to get qualifying points.
Some unaffiliated competitions run open and restricted sections so ensure you understand the rules to decide which section you are eligible to compete in.
Check the year of the test and make sure you have the latest copy – occasionally old tests are discontinued and several years later the number is reused on a new test.
If for any reason you are unable to attend the competition make sure you let the venue know. It is a BD rule that you must inform the venue or you will be liable for fines from them. Venues are instructed to inform BD of any no shows so they can keep records of repeat offenders.
Don’t forget your number (on both sides of your horse)! It will mean you get the right score sheet at the end of the day. No number at BD events will lose you two points.
British Showjumping
Classes may be run under different ‘formats’ as shown on the schedule so it is important to familiarise yourself with what each means:
Single Phase: You will jump a number of fences for your first round followed straight on by the ‘jump off’ fences that are timed. You jump the entire course regardless of whether you have jumped clear in the first section or not. The steward will be able to let you know where the ‘jump off’ starts.
Two Phase: You will jump a number of fences for your first round. If you are clear, you will continue straight on to your jump off (timed section). If you have incurred penalties in your first round a bell will sound when you pass through the ‘finish’ of the first phase indicating that you should not continue to the jump off.
Jump Off Classes (A7): You will jump your first round of fences. If you complete the course with a clear round, you will then be called back into the arena to do your jump off once everyone has completed their first rounds.
Speed Class (A4): This is a one round class which the whole course is timed and based on both the number of faults accumulated and the time taken.
Club classes
Do check with organisers as they may run a variation to these.
British Eventing
Last year (in 2022) British Eventing promised a major rule change when it comes to their entries and said that they were removing their ballot system in a bid to modernise the sport and entice more entries. A number of events ran into trouble with low entries which resulted in them being cancelled, with a lot of members citing the ballot system as a reason.
This year it was suggested that entries will be taken on a first come, first served basis so it is important to get online, have a look at the BE calendar dates and make a note of the entry opening date for any events you have pencilled in your diary.
However, on looking at the BE fixtures for the start of the season, the ballot date is still there! Our advice – get your entries in as soon as possible and if you are unsure then ask the secretary in advance of the entries opening.
The full fixtures can be found here: https://www.britisheventing.com/compete/fixtures-and-results
Rules for British Showjumping, British Eventing and British Dressage are available on the relevant websites so if you are unsure of anything you should be able to find the answer online, most show venues will be happy to help you with queries relevant to their events.o.
