Organisers pay an affiliation fee to receive an event pack which gives full instructions on how to run a competition.

The competition pack comprises:

• Checklist of things to do.
• Obstacle criteria.
• Obstacle risk assessment forms.
• Promotion information.
• Judge list and what the judge expects.
• Class Entry Forms
• Scoring charts
• Points form for League to be returned to the Horse Agility office.
• Horse Agility Membership forms
• Horse registration forms.

Helpful hints on how to run a financially successful event.
As the competition organiser is responsible for the Health and Safety of the event including the construction, presentation and use of the obstacles, it is advisable that someone on the organisation team has attended a course on the Safe construction of obstacles, this is a module that is included in the Trainer and Judges courses. On the day of the competition the Judge reserves the right to exclude any obstacle that he deems unsafe, poorly constructed or inappropriate.

The affiliation fee also includes the use of the Horse Agility name, logo, use of press office and web site promotion.

Once the event has been organised the organisers inform the office of the number of classes and expected number of competitors so that Horse Agility rosettes can be sent onto them, these rosettes comprise First, Second and Third and Special rosettes for every competitor in the class unless he is eliminated from that class. These rosettes are on a use or return basis and are charged at a nominal fee (the cost of any unused rosettes returned in good condition is refunded).

Competition organisers receive all entry fees (currently £7.50 per class, £10 late entries) so it is in their interest to promote the event and get good numbers of entries.

The horse handler combination is considered as the entry into a class which means the horse can compete in the same class with different handlers and vice versa. However neither can compete more than three times in the same class.

There doesn’t need to be only one Agility course at each level this means that horses can compete in more than one class which gives more incentive to attend the event. The two same level courses must have at least half of the obstacles being different. If a horse accumulates enough points to move up a level in the initial class he can only enter the second class as an unaffiliated entry or transfer the entry to the next level class if one is taking place at the competition.

NOTE: People can enter Non-Competitively (NC) into any class which is the correct height class for them whatever level they have qualified for UNLESS the class has been designated a non-NC class for health and Safety reasons.

It is possible to have family classes, these are unaffiliated, in which members of the same family can use the same horse more than once within a family class. This means the chauffer can have a go! This encourages more people to compete and can have more fun obstacles such as popping a balloon, walking on flowerpots while leading the horse etc.

Any events promoting Horse Agility, using the Horse Agility name and/or logo must be registered with the Club office so that it can be added to the website. (there is no fee for this)

There are three sorts of training events that can be undertaken.
Training days with a an accredited Horse Agility TrainerThese are half or one day training sessions on improving horse handling and obstacle negotiation techniques.

Training with a Competition DayThese are half or one day training days in how to improve marks at each obstacle, the pitfalls and exactly what the judge is looking for. A one day course may discuss obstacle negotiation in the morning with a mini- show in the afternoon to practise ideas discussed in the morning.

Playdays Short days when people come to practise with no instruction. Dates for these events are published on the web site.

All competitors and horses must hold valid public liability insurance when they compete. This could be held just by the handler (as in BHS Gold Membership Insurance) but covers themselves and the horse they are handling or as two separate policies.

Insurance is obligatory for all competing members and their horses. On applying for membership and on registering horses to compete evidence of insurance is required.

It is likely that many trainers will also be judges but this is not a requirement.

Judges need to attend courses in:

• How to build a Horse Agility course and risk assess those that others have built.
• How to judge a course at all the levels.
• How to score each obstacle.

These courses are advertised on the Horse agility website.

It is envisaged that Horse Agility trainers entering the sport will already be teaching horsemanship in some way and therefore will be BHSAI, Positive Horsemanship, Intelligent Horsemanship or Parelli trained.

Trainers pay an Accreditation fee annually (currently £50 plus the Horse Agility Club membership fee) and must also attend Induction courses so that they understand how the obstacles can be used safely and how to maintain the safety of horse and handler.

Accredited trainers may use the Horse Agility logo and are promoted on the Horse Agility website and at shows. They are not employed by the Horse Agility Club or insured by them they are recommended only.

The Induction courses include:

• How to build a course, how to build each obstacle, safety when training for each obstacle.
• How to handle horses safely on the ground.
• How to teach people to do Horse Agility.

For more details on becoming a HA Accredited Trainer please contact Vanessa Bee.
Tel. +44(0) 1409 221166
Email. mail@thehorseagilityclub.com

Horses need to accumulate points/wins to move up to the next level.

• First – 5 points
• Second – 3 points
• Third – 1 point

Horses need to accumulate 12 points to move up to the next level

These points are also entered into the Horse Agility League (unless requested not to be) which culminates in a prize at the end of the season for the League winner.

The Registration form requires:

• Horse’s Registered name
• Horse’s Stable Name
• Passport No
• Height
• Date of Birth
• Height Class currently eligible for
• Horses insurance policy details

The registration fee for one horse is included in the annual membership fee.