D Standards of Proficiency, 2007:

http://www.ponyclub.org/files/bin/2284

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MIDSOUTH REGION

D EXCEPTIONS FOR ALL DISCIPLINES

These exceptions apply only to D-rated pony club members.

These and all rules and exceptions are found in the horse management handbook and all discipline rulebooks.  For more information please refer to them.

Please keep in mind that the D exceptions have a basis in the standards and in the ratings and that the safety of the riders and horses are of the utmost importance.

These exceptions apply only in ‘D1, D2, or D3 Rally’ or ‘Ds in Non-Qualifying Divisions’ of a ‘Qualifying’ Rally.

D Exceptions – ATTIRE

All D’s are to be neat, clean, safe and in appropriate riding attire.  They do not have to be correctly informal or correctly formal (that is not covered in the ratings until C1).  They are not required by USPC to wear a jacket.  For all Midsouth D Rallies, competitors MAY NOT compete wearing show jackets. 

They must have the following:

• A correctly fitting, ASTM/SEI approved riding helmet of any color, with or without a cover.

• A shirt of any color.  Shirts must have a collar (ex: Polo, ratchatcher, turtleneck, dress shirt for boys) and sleeves.

• When competing, the D’s are expected to be neat, clean and in well-fitting clothes.  Shirt tails tucked in.

• Neckwear is not required.  Choker, necktie or stock tie may be worn.

• Appropriate riding pants, breeches or jodhpurs with knee straps and/of pant clips. Schooling pants or tights may be worn for cross-country only.

• Appropriate riding boots – jodhpur boots, paddock boots or tall boots.

• Half chaps will be permitted.  Black or brown half chaps worn with jodhpur or paddock boots of the same color is preferred combination. They must be fitted correctly, no loose stitching, no dangling flaps and clean. They may have a stretch panel. They may have suede on them.

• Belt, required if the riding pants have belt loops (optional in Games).

• Gloves are optional.  Any color is acceptable.

• Long hair reaching below the shoulder must be neatly secured away from the eyes and competitor number.  Hairnets and braids are helpful in maintaining a neat appearance for any competitor with hair of medium or long length, girl or boy.

• During rally, while working in the barn, competitors must follow the regional dress code presented in the rally packets.

D Exceptions – TACK

All D’s need to be on mounts that can be safely handled by them. 

Dressage:  · D’s may use grass reins when riding their test and in warm-up.  They may also use a correctly fitted and properly adjusted standing martingale, attached only to a cavesson noseband.  · Ds may use whips, which may be no longer than 43.3”, including lash, and must be un-weighted.  · D’s may ride in a snaffle, pelham or kimberwicke bit for dressage.  Bit converters are permitted.  A noseband must be used with  pelham and kimberwicke bits.  · All bits must be smooth, no twists.

Jumping:  · D’s may use a properly adjusted standing or an unrestricted running martingale with a chest stop and rein stops on each rein, on the bit side of the martingale or Irish martingale.  If a standing martingale is used it must be attached to a cavesson noseband and not any other type of noseband. · D’s may use whips, which may be no longer than 30”.