RCP#1 Article: GR 2.7 - Definition of Terms

RCP#1 Article: GR 2.7 

Submitted by: Hardy Zantke

Current wording: 

GR 2.7 Junior and adult competition participants, e.g., anyone who rides on a vehicle at any time at an event, are defined as follows: 

a. The “competition age” of an individual will be the age reached during the current calendar year. 

b. “Junior A” – competition age: 10 and below. Junior A drivers must be accompanied by a knowledgeable adult horseman at all times. 

c. “Junior B” – competition age 11, 12, 13. Junior B drivers must be accompanied by a knowledgeable adult horseman at all times. 

EXCEPTION: Junior “B” drivers competing with a single Very Small Equine (VSE) turnout in a securely enclosed arena need not be accompanied by a knowledgeable adult horseman unless required by the organizer. 

d. “Junior C” – competition age 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Junior C drivers competing with a single horse/pony turnout at their discretion need not carry a groom/passenger unless required by the competition. 

e. “Junior” – Unless otherwise defined: Competition age under 19. 

f. “Adult” – Competition age 19 and over. 

Suggested wording: 

Add new: g: The knowledgeable adult horseman, as requested under item b & c above, nay be the groom, when one is required, or may be an additional person - in which case that person is subject to similar requirements and penalties as a groom. 

Reason for change: 

In Combined Driving Events no additional person is normally allowed on the carriage besides the driver and the proper number of groom(s). At times Junior drivers do want to have a knowledgeable adult horse person with them on the carriage next to them, but also want to have a groom on the back step, both in the interest of safety. The LOC agreed and issued a directive accordingly in their winter edition of their newsletter to all licensed officials. This, however, not yet supported by our rules. Note: The last sentence in this proposal is important to deal with normal groom down penalties etc, which then need to be applied to all, the groom(s) as well as the knowledgeable adult horse persons. Otherwise the groom might stay on the carriage and have the knowledgeable adult horse person step down and fix that trace down for example.