RULES/GUIDELINES FOR THE 2009 SERIES
OF ARIZONA DRIVING TRAILS
All participants are asked to read the rules prior to competing in
2009. (Changes for 2009 are in BOLD.)
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.
There shall be a dressage
judge and a TD at every event. The TD’s responsibilities, among others
assigned by the Organizer, shall include reviewing the course prior to
starting the event and performing a safety check of each entry. The TD
should be available to monitor and assist during all activities taking
place during the event.
Suggested fee schedule: Judges: under 25 competitors- $125, 25 or more
competitors -$150. TD: $125. If any
official, whether charging a fee or not, is traveling an unusual
distance to an event, a reasonable mileage fee may be paid and shall be
shown in the event budget.
If an ADT is held in
conjunction with another event and uses an official who requires a fee
greater than this standard, such fee beyond these amounts and other
costs for that official must be born by the other activity.
Divisions/Levels/Classes for 2009
DIVISIONS
Multiples (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 2009, 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 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 elim-inated
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 mis-take 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 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 and 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, cruelty
to animals, etc.
14. Competitors are reminded to read and follow any additional local
rules that may be distributed or posted at an event.
15. A competitor may
question the decision of any official at an event within a reasonable
time of the
decision. However the
final decision of the official shall be final and no further appeal is
permitted.
See ADS Rule
Book. We will follow as many rules from ADS as possible.
Links on ADS home page to the download site. ADS
(May have to be an ADS member to
access.)
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