2008 Rules Rev. Jan., 2008
Recent changes/aditions in blue.

ADT ORGANIZING RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR THE 2008 SERIES


Rules will follow Appendix A and B of the ADS Handbook whenever possible, with exceptions/additions as noted herein.  All rules in the ADS handbook, which are not modified for ADT’s in Appendix A and B, will still apply.  The host facility must follow the rules and guidelines set by the ADCS ADT committee. There shall be no exceptions.

Any new ADTs must be approved by the ADT Committee and ADCS board.

Number of events: Attempts will be made to schedule at least six events in the series. There could be more, with Board approval, if more event organizers come forward.

If an event needs to be canceled, any change of location needs to be approved by the ADT committee.

Divisions, levels and classes are determined at the beginning of each series by the ADT committee. Classes offered can not be changed mid series, and all classes need to be included in every ADT in the series.

All participants (drivers) in ADCS sponsored events must be current ADCS members. Grooms, navigators, etc. may be non members of ADCS.  All must sign a release at each event.

Entry fees are set at $40 per entry.  A person going HC must be a member and pay the full fee. 

On other than the dressage field, the host facility must not allow participants to practice on the course once it has been set up, whether it is the day before or a week before.  A competitor will be eliminated from that event if found to violate this rule.

The ADS handbook Appendix B Section 3 covers the cones course and should be followed as much as possible, with discretionary decisions left to the organizers.  Organizers are reminded, however, that most competitors will have little time to study a course in person, and this should be taken into account with the design. Very difficult or hard to follow routes should be avoided.

Suggested fee schedule: Judges: under 25 competitors- $125,  25 or more competitors -$150. If an organizer determines it is necessary to have a designated, paid TD: $125.

Divisions/Levels/Classes for 2008 

DIVISIONS
Pairs (with no equine size distinction), VSE (single and pairs),  Single Pony and Single Horse

LEVELS
Training Green Driver is limited to those who are new to driving in 2008, or first time competitors in an ADT Series (or did not qualify for a year end award in the previous series), and who have never competed in a CDE above training level, or in more than one CDE at training level. Any driver eligible for green driver may compete for one entire series in that level, and will be required to move out of the green class in the next series. The Green Driver level is designed for beginner drivers.  Scores in hazards are not taken or counted for Green Drivers.

Regular Training level is open to any driver/equine combination. It is expected that very experienced drivers with experienced horses will compete at a higher level and leave this class for drivers with green horses or relatively new drivers no longer eligible for the green driver class. However, it will be left up to the individual to decide with which level they feel most comfortable. A Champion at this level in a previous series may compete at this level in the new series and may again earn a year end award and repeat as Champion.


Preliminary, Intermediate, Advanced  These levels are open to any driver/equine combination wishing to compete in them. Previous series competition level or placing has no bearing on who may enter these levels. A prior Champion may repeat in the new series. 

CLASSES
Classes result from combining a level and division. There is no class offered in Pairs for the Green Driver level, however. All other combinations are possible and offered. Year end awards are given in all classes with qualified entries, through six places. Two events must be attended by the same driver/equine combination in the class to qualify for year end placing.

Year End Points Awarded at each ADT:
Each class will be placed based on the final combined score of the three event phases. Each entry will receive one point for participating at the event, even if they have been eliminated. To that will be added points based on the order of finish, through six places. Six points will be added for a 1st place finish if there are six or more in the class. If fewer than six are in the class, 1st place will add points equal to the number competing in the class. Each subsequent placing will add one less point. Anyone eliminated will not be awarded additional place points, but will be counted among those in the class.

Example: If you placed first in a class of eight, you would receive 6 points for being first plus 1 point for participation, for a total of 7 points at that ADT event. (7 are the maximum points that one can earn at any one ADT.) If you placed seventh, you would get just 1 point for participating, as placing points end with sixth place. If you eliminated, you would get 1 point only (for participating). A 1st place finish in a class of three would get 1 participation point plus 3 points for being first, for a total of four points. Subsequent places would end up with 3 and 2 points total.

Year End Awards
An Awards Banquet will be scheduled at a date after the final ADT of the series. Year End points are accumulated at each series ADT on each driver/equine/class combination (an entry). 

Awards will be given in each class that has had any entries qualifying by attending at least two events in the series.

Four ADT results will be combined to determine the final year end score and placement for year end awards for each entry qualified. If an entry only participates in two ADTs, only two events will count. If an entry competes in four or more ADTs, their four best results will be combined for the year end total. As the participation point will be linked to year end points earned for class placement at each ADT, only those participation points included with the best four finishes will count in the final total.

If changing levels mid-series, the same driver/equine may earn an additional award if at least two ADTs are also attended in the class at the new level. Exception: If a green driver entry moves to regular training midseason, they may not earn a second award- as they have not changed levels. They will have to choose the training class to be used for the award if they qualify in both sections of training level.

Other than between Intermediate and Advanced, if a driver/equine combination moves up to a higher level during the series, and after one ADT at the new level, the driver decides it was a mistake to move up, they may return to the lower level. If they move up again at a later date, they must then finish the season at the higher level. This holds true for a green driver moving to regular training, as well.

Competitor Rules
1. Informal dress is permissible for all classes.
2. Helmets are required at all times for the driver and any passengers.
3. Gloves and whips are required in competition. Lap robes are not required.
4. Leg wraps may be used on horses during all phases of the competition.
5. Navigators are required. Junior drivers must be accompanied by an adult. Navigators may assist more than one entry. If you don’t have a navigator, they frequently can be volunteered for you during the event.
6. Any safe vehicle will be allowed in all divisions/levels. Drivers need to consider if their vehicle is designed for this type of driving and suitable for the local conditions at each ADT.
7. No wire spoked wheels shall be used at levels above training, except for VSE vehicles.  Pneumatic tires may be used at all levels
8. In Training Level (green and regular), in all phases, no cantering or running will be allowed. Accuracy and correctness should be the primary goal, not speed. Breaks must be controlled immediately, with penalties given or elimination the result, depending on circumstances.
9. Time penalties in the hazards will be used in the scoring for all levels except Green Driver as noted above.
10. All dogs must be on leash and under control at all times. Local organizers may make their own rules regarding allowing dogs on the property.
11. An entry may be eliminated and /or excused form the competition site for dangerous/unsafe driving.
12. All equine brought to a competition must compete in the event. No animals may be there “just for the experience.”
13. All participants are expected to follow the ADS rules concerning behavior and sportsmanship.  This includes inappropriate comments, excessive noise during competitions, excessive use of the whip, cruelthy to animals, etc.
14. Competitors are reminded to read and follow any additional local rules that may be distributed or posted at an event.


Revised Jannuary 2008


See ADS Rule Book. We will follow as many rules from ADS as possible.
Links on ADS home page to the download site.  ADS


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