INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the third two day endurance party to be held in Firle Park!

This is a stunning venue with direct access to the South Downs and acres of space for overnight camping and corralling. Situated 500m South of the A27, 4 miles East of Lewes, it is easy to reach with no narrow, winding lanes.

With a different route each day, the ride offers wonderful views of the Sussex Weald and English Channel, taking in rolling, grassy hills, Downland tracks and some road work. Whilst there are a number of gates, many will be manned or tied open in order to make it an enjoyable day out.

For those staying overnight, The Ram is again offering an excellent evening meal and is only ten minutes walk across the venue for those who wish to quench their thirst. A children’s’ playground offers entertainment for the younger members of the team, and for the adventurous there are two local hang-gliding schools (pre-booking essential!).

Thanks must be extended to all the people who have made this weekend possible – the Sponsors, landowners, volunteers and sundry personnel, without whom this ride would be no more than a passing fancy.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

This ride will be run under Endurance GB rules. Copies of the rule book (£5.00) may be obtained from the EGB office (address on back page). A copy of the rule book will be on display at the venue.

CLASSES

Saturday, 23^rd August

1 160km ER – elevator race ride, 100km Sat, 60km Sun

Sponsored by Farm Care UK - £100 voucher to winner

2 80km competitive ride

3 68km competitive ride

4 & 5 50km competitive ride (Open/Novice)

6 & 7 40km competitive ride (Open/Novice)

8 26km non-competitive ride (approximately 15 miles)

9 16km non-competitive ride (approximately 10 miles)

Classes 1 to 7 are open to Endurance GB registered horses/ponies. Class 7 is also open to unregistered horses belonging to EGB members (please see your rule book).

Classes 8 & 9 are open to all horses/ponies (4 years old and over). The ride must be completed at 8-12 km/hour (5-8 mph). Please see the next page for more details.

Sunday, 24^th August

10 80km competitive ride

11 64km competitive ride

12 & 13 50km competitive ride (Open/Novice)

14 & 15 32km competitive ride (Open/Novice)

16 20km non-competitive ride (approximately 12 miles).

Classes 10 to 15 are open to Endurance GB registered horses/ponies. Class 15 is also open to unregistered horses belonging to either members or non members of EGB. See next page for more details.

Class 16 is open to all riders and horses/ponies (4 years old and over). The ride must be completed at 8-12 km/hour (5-8 mph).

Entry Fees

Classes 1-7, 10-15 Members: as published in EGB Rule Book.

Class 15 Non-members: £31.00

Classes 8,9, 16 Members: £15 Non-members: £20.

AWARDS

All successful finishers in all classes will receive a completion rosette.

Farrier’s award presented each day to the Best Shod horse/pony. All classes are eligible. Sponsored by Doug Foreman AWFC of Ringmer, East Sussex.

Class 1 Place rosettes according to entries (see EGB rule book)

Winner to receive £100 voucher, courtesy of Farm Care UK

Best Condition Award (all successful finishers eligible)

Best Presented Award

Classes 2, 3, Placing rosettes based on the Performance Formula.

10 &11 ***This ride forms part of the Performance Equestrian National Challenge Trophy*** See EGB rule book for details.

All competitive classes will receive a Grading rosette as awarded under EGB rules.

Each day: Best Young Horse (5/6 year olds).

Best Novice (Best Young Horse not eligible)

Two day awards:

All horses successfully completing rides on both days will receive a “2 Days Running” award, irrespective of distances.

Best Condition Open/Advanced Graded horse/pony

Best Condition Veteran horse/pony (18 years or over)

Best Condition Pony (14.2hh or under) ridden by an adult

All ‘Best’ awards will be based on the distance completed and the finishing heart rate, with the fastest time being the decider should equal heart rates be recorded. If there is still equality then the senior Veterinary Judge will decide the winner.

EGB MEMBERS – PLEASE NOTE!

Whilst offers to ride one day and help the other are very welcome, if the classes are not well supported on BOTH days, the ride will revert to a one day format. As this is the only two day ride organised on behalf of the South East Group, and likewise the only ER, that would be a pity.

RIDING CLUB MEMBERS

We are including a special Pairs Class for Riding Club Members. Both must participate in Class 15 – Novice 32km (20 miles). Any awards made will be in addition to those listed above. Only one of the pair may be an EGB member, and a special award will be made to the highest placed non-EGB member pair.

Please see the rules below regarding entering as a non-member. A photocopy of your membership card should be enclosed, and the name of your ‘pair’ clearly indicated somewhere on the form!

NON-MEMBERS OF ENDURANCE GB

Non-members are welcome to participate in the Non-competitive Ride classes

(8, 9 & 16). You should complete an entry form for each horse (photocopy extra ones if you need them) and send to the Secretary with your cheque (£20/horse/class) payable to Endurance GB and a LARGE self-addressed envelope, with at least one first class stamp.

The envelope is used to send you information about the day and the route you will be riding. It might appear very formal, but there are a number of important rules, and I am sure you would rather have everyone knowing what is expected of them.

Please note that, in the interests of safety, all riders aged 13 years or under MUST be accompanied by an adult rider (18 years or over), with a maximum of two such junior riders to each adult. This is a National rule, and no exceptions can be made.

We want everyone to enjoy the day, whether a new recruit or a seasoned campaigner!

TRYING THE REAL THING!

Non-members may enter Class 15 on a horse/pony which is not registered with Endurance GB and which does not have a log book, at a cost of £31.00. Please note that horses competing under this scheme are also welcome to enter the Pleasure Ride on the Saturday.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Organiser (see front cover) or the Endurance GB office (see back cover). We are happy to answer your questions!

CAMPING & CORALLING

Firle Park is large and grassy. Riders are welcome to camp in lorries/caravans/trailers at £10.00 for the weekend (max 3 nights – Friday, Saturday, Sunday), and to erect corrals using electric fencing at £15.00 per horse (again, max of 3 nights).

Because horses will be corralled in the same field that people are camping, we cannot allow sleeping in tents or caravan awnings (yes, I know that most horses would run a mile at the sight of a tent, but insurance companies just don’t see it that way!) All fencing must be electrified – spot checks will be made. . .

SATURDAY NIGHT NOSH

The Ram Inn, Firle, is only 10 minutes walk across the venue. They have offered to provide a range of home cooked meals, using locally produced ingredients, at a cost of £10.00/person. Tickets need to be bought in advance – please see entry form.

WEEKEND SPECIAL!

For £35 you can have up to 3 nights camping (any number of people/vehicles), 3 nights corralling for 1 horse, and two tickets for the Saturday night bash at the Ram Inn (see above). This is a bargain arrangement, and we hope that many of you will avail yourselves of the chance to relax either before or after your hectic two days of competition!

STABLING & BED AND BREAKFAST

A list of local accommodation for both horses and riders/crew is available – SAE to Organiser please. Any problems finding what you want, please phone Sallie on 01273 483467 for information.

TACK AND TURN OUT

EGB rules on tack and rider clothing are summarised below to help avoid argument or disappointment on the day.

Riders should wear jodhpurs, breeches or riding tights (any colour).

Hats must conform with standards PAS015, BSEN1384, EN1384 or ASTM/SEI, and must be worn, correctly fastened, at all times when riding.

Footwear must have a heel of at least ½ inch (unless caged stirrups are used) and riding in wellington boots is NOT permitted.

No spurs, and whips must not exceed 75cm in length.

High viz and weather proof clothing are both allowed.

Horses must be ridden in a recognised form of bridle, with or without a bit. Riding in a head collar, blinkers, draw-reins, Market Harborough or other schooling aid is not permitted (except for disabled riders who have dispensation for any equipment issued by the EGB Committee). All bits are accepted.

Any saddle may be used, with whatever numnah, saddle pad or guards are required. Riding bareback is not permitted!

Horses may wear boots or bandages, or have their legs greased, but these must be removed for all veterinary inspections.

Horses may be ridden shod, barefoot, or in hoof boots. If hoof boots are used, riders must be prepared to remove them if requested at a veterinary inspection. Pads are allowed. In all cases, if a horse’s feet are not considered adequately shod/protected for the distance being attempted, the horse will not be allowed to start. Please DO NOT OIL THE FEET on the day of the ride – the farrier and vets complain!

HEALTH & SAFETY

Full details of the requirements regarding Health and Safety at the ride will be included in the ride details. However, it is important that ALL riders are competent to handle their horse/pony, and are capable of riding the attempted distance.

In particular, you should be able both to let other riders pass you and to pass other riders considerately, not only those taking part in the ride, but also members of the public who will be out and about in the area.

ENDURANCE GB RIDE ENTRY FORM V7.1

RIDE NAME	FIRLE PARK	Official Use Only	Rider Number
DATE(S)	23^rd/24^th August 2008		Vet Time

	Class No	Dist	Type (circle)	Entry Fee	Where did you hear about this ride?
Sat			ER CR NCR
Sun			CR NCR

HORSE		Horse EGB Reg No	Qualification (Circle)	NOV OPN ADV
Breed Society	Age	Col	Ht	Sex	G M S

RIDER		RGB Mem No		Rider Qualification (Circle)	NOV OPN ADV
		DoB if Under 22
RIDER’S ADDRESS			Owner’s Name
			Owner’s Mem No
			Owner’s Address
Postcode	Phone		Postcode	Phone
	Mobile (if any)

NAME OF CREW / HELPER

CREW / HELPER MOBILE No (IF ANY)

VEHICLE REGISTRATION

DRESS: A hard hat of PAS 015, BSEN 1384, EN 1384 or ASTM/SEI standard must be worn with the chinstrap securely fastened. If riding footwear without a heel is worn, a suitable caged front to the stirrup must be fitted. Competitors may not ride in Wellington Boots. Whips may not exceed 75cm in length. Spurs are not permitted.

STABLING & ACCOMM (if applies)	Arrive Date	Number of Nights	Total Camping £10	Total Corralling £15	Saturday night food £10	Weekend Deal £35	Total Charge
			£	£	£	£	£

I ENCLOSE:
A LARGE (at least 7”x10”) SAE with sufficient stamps to cover postage of Ride Information	Tick:
Total Ride Entry Fee	£
Late Entry Fee £5, compulsory if postmark of entry after closing date (not applicable to NCR entries)	£
Stabling & Accommodation Fee (from above)	£
A crossed cheque, which is not post-dated, payable to “ENDURANCE GB” for overall total of	£

I understand that, save for death or personal injury caused by negligence, neither the organising committee of the ride, nor Endurance GB, accept any liability for any accident, damage, injury or illness to horses, owners, riders, ground spectators or any other person or property whatsoever. I understand that riding is a risk sport and confirm I have the competence to undertake the class I have entered. The ride is being organised under Endurance GB rules, which I will observe. A copy of the rules will be on display at the ride or can be obtained from Central Office at a cost of £5 including postage.

Signature of Rider or Owner or Parent / Guardian Date: (if rider under 18):

Name of accompanying adult if rider is a Junior at Novice Level: