New year, new rules – make sure you’re up to date with all the Eventing rules

PC Chairman’s Cup – Cross-country speed

This has been increased to 500mpm which is in line with the British Eventing 105 class, meaning any areas running alongside a BE can join a 105 section!

SLOW Time Penalties

This year time penalties for going too slow will be introduced for PC80 classes. They will still be in the PC90 and upwards classes.
The PC70 class will NOT have time penalties for going too slow.
Stopwatches can be worn for those in PC90 and up. PC80 classes CANNOT have stopwatches as the aim is to teach riders how to ride at the correct speed while maintaining a rhythm and not solely concentrating on a clock. PC70 riders are also NOT allowed stopwatches.

Jodhpurs and Breeches

The following options are permitted:
Solid single colours or a dark or muted colour
Dark contrast seats
White/beige/cream (preferred for dressage phase at Areas, Regionals and Championships).

The topic of colours worn in sports has been widely discussed, with many opting for darker shades. The Pony Club has adopted similar changes, offering riders the choice of wearing dark or muted single-color jodhpurs. Light-coloured jodhpurs with dark contrast seats remain permitted. For dressage at Area, Regional, and Championship levels, white, beige, and cream jodhpurs are still preferred. This is an optional change, not a rule. For full details, refer to the rule book.

Carrying of whips – no longer permitted for PC90

The carrying of whips in the dressage phase of eventing is no longer permitted at PC90 and above. PC70 and PC80 competitors are allowed to carry a whip of any length.
The whip is a tool that is designed to aid the rider in communicating with the horse and not as a means of punishment. It is vitally important that the welfare of the horse comes above everything else.

Out of Area Qualification

Individuals can now apply for approval to travel to another area to compete there instead if you are competing at PC90 and above! Please see the rule book (page 9) for how and who to apply to and what would amount to qualification at the other area.

Direct Area Qualification – PC100, Chairman’s Cup*, PC110

If you achieve ALL FOUR of the below criteria you will automatically have a place at the CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Dr: <45 Penalties
SJ: ≤16 Penalties
XC (Jumping): CLEAR
XC (Time): <30 Penalties
* Direct entry from PC CC Areas, no need for a 105 MER.

This will provide more opportunities for riders at this level to qualify without the worry that there aren’t enough competitors to make up numbers for qualifying positions.
If the whole section achieve the below they will all qualify, if you don’t achieve the below criteria, you may still be in a qualifying position depending on number of starters in your class.

New Dressage test for PC80 Championships

The new test is ‘Grassroots PC80 Championship Test 2024‘. Click on the test to view.
All Grassroots tests now have 10×2 for Rider Marks to emphasise correct position and use of aids.

Tailcoats allowed for Chairman’s Cup

Another exciting addition to the Chairman’s Cup is you can now get those tailcoats dusted off for the dressage phase. A real Championship feel for this year at Off Church Bury!
And as last year, they can again be worn at the 110cm Championships.

Eligibility rules for PC90, PC100, PC CC and PC110

CHANGES from last year:
For PC100 Areas: Combination of horse and rider are NOT eligible if they have achieved more than two clear cross country rounds at British Eventing (or EI) Novice, (or Pony Trials, Open Novice or BE105.)

For PC90 Areas: Combination of horse and rider are NOT eligible if they have completed a PC100 Area Eventing competition or above in the current or previous years OR Achieved more than two cross country rounds with no jumping penalties at BE (or EI) 100 or above.

Please refer to the rule book, pages 5-7 for full wording.

Eligibility rules for PC70, PC70-Plus and PC80

CHANGES from last year:
For PC80 Areas: Combination of horse and rider are NOT eligible if they have:

• Previously completed at PC90 or above in any Eventing Area Competitions.
• Achieved more than two cross-country rounds with no jumping penalties at BE (or EI) 90 or above.

For PC80 Championships: as for Area Competitions except that the combination of horse and rider are permitted to have:

• Achieved three or more cross country rounds with no jumping penalties at BE (or EI) 90 or above.

For PC70 Areas: Combination of horse and rider are NOT eligible if they have:

• achieved more than two cross-country rounds with no jumping penalties at BE (or EI) 80 or above.

For PC70 Championships: As for Area Competitions except that the combination of horse and rider are permitted to have:

• Achieved three or more cross-country rounds with no jumping penalties at BE (or EI) 80 or above.

For PC70Plus Areas and Championships: same as for PC70

Please refer to the rule book, pages 5-8 for full wording.

Area Teams at Championships

Area teams that compete at an Area competition can qualify for the Championships at any level.
If they qualify, then the next placed Branch/Centre team will also qualify.
The team can be comprised of ONE OR MORE Branch/Centres where members are not currently in a team. This means 1 team could have 4 riders, each from a different Branch.
The Area teams are to be put together by the Area Representative/ Area Organiser. Please see attached link to the Area Rep page to find yours, and if you would like to know your Area Organiser for eventing, please also contact your Area Rep.