British Eventing stop watch trial to continue at all BE levels in 2016
British Eventing Stop Watch Trial Concludes
The trial period has now concluded on the use of stop watches at all BE levels. Following feedback from BE Officials, it has been decided that stop watches will continue to be permitted on a trial basis. This will be for use at all BE events until the end of the 2016 season.
The BE Sport Committee agreed to extend the trial until the final event of the 2016 fixture calendar. This will allow members at Airowear BE80(T), BE90, BE100 and the trial BE105 level to continue to use stop watches for a further four months. Additional evaluation will then take place and the information will be submitted to the Sport Committee for reviewing ahead of the 2017 season.
Competitors are also reminded of rule 5.9 in the 2016 Members’ Handbook:
5.9 Pace. Throughout the Event, Competitors are free to choose the pace at which they ride. They should, however, always take account of the requirements of each phase, the prevailing conditions and terrain, the fitness and ability of themselves and their Horse and all other factors which may be relevant to the welfare of both Horse and rider. On the cross country course, they must also have regard to and respect the class speed, the optimum and ‘too fast’ times.
Deliberately slowing down near the end of the cross country course to avoid time penalties may be unacceptable conduct.
For riders wanting to gain more experience and confidence using a stopwatch, BE Training & Education run cross country training courses. These are held at various locations throughout the country with BE Accredited Coaches for riders at all levels and of all ages. Many cross country training clinics are a great way for riders to learn pace and ask the experienced BE Accredited Coaches for advice on how to correctly use a stopwatch.
Find BE Training & Education courses near you:
www.britisheventing.com/training
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.