A rule change that could result in Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) competitors having to rethink their warm-up strategies is among the tack and clothing changes introduced by the show’s organisers for this season.
The changes apply to riders competing in HOYS qualifiers at shows around the country, as well as at the final, which takes place later this year (4-8 October).
The changes include a rule on tack, which specifies that competitors “must only use tack and spurs permissible in the ring while on the showground and mounted”.
This means that riders cannot warm up in tack that is not allowed in the ring, then swap into approved tack prior to their class.
The HOYS rulebook states that “whips are not considered tack”, so these can be used when warming up.
Competitors are also now prohibited from displaying advertising or team branding on any item of clothing or hat when competing in the ring.
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“Manufacturers’ names or labels common to the product” are excluded from this rule.
In addition to these changes, HOYS organisers have reminded competitors that hats should have a plain cover and should be “as per the guidelines set out in the specific class and/or society ruling; black, navy, blue, brown, grey or green as appropriate”.
The new rules came into force earlier this month (7 July 2017).
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.
