Equestrian:Equestrian authorizations - General riding - weapons and games - driving

Equestrian authorizations: General riding, weapons and games, and driving

The procedures for each authorization type are examples. Kingdoms may replace with their own procedures, provided they meet the requirements.

General

1. For each type of authorization, you must demonstrate:
   1. Familiarity with the relevant portions of the Society Equestrian Handbook and kingdom-specific equestrian requirements, and the nature of equestrian activities within the Society.
   2. Awareness of the risks inherent to equestrian activities, including recognition of how your current skill level relates to the horse you intend to ride.
   3. Ability to safely control your horse and (as applicable) any weapons, armor, or equipment while engaging in SCA equestrian activities.
2. For special authorizations, riders must be able to ride gaits other than a walk. These activities include close interaction with other riders, horses and weapons, thus a higher level of ability to control your horse must be demonstrated.
3. For new authorizations and significantly lapsed authorizations, two people are required to conduct the authorization:
   1. An equestrian marshal, who is warranted to conduct authorizations for that category/activity.
   2. An equestrian authorized in that category/activity, or another warranted equestrian marshal.
4. For re-authorizations (i.e. renewing an existing or recently expired authorization):
   1. Only one marshal, who is warranted to conduct authorizations for this martial discipline and activity, is required.
   2. Regardless of how recently the participant's authorization has lapsed, the authorizing marshal must test the participant on their knowledge of the rules, particularly any rules that have changed within the last 4 years.
   3. If the authorizing marshal has not seen the participant recently enough to confirm that they still meet the required competencies, they may observe them for a short time to confirm that they are still competent, or run them through the full authorization process.
   4. If a participant has been sanctioned (e.g. had their authorization removed or suspended), the authorizing marshal must confirm that the issues relating to the sanction have been addressed. Confirmation must be obtained from the office that issued the sanction

General riding

A general riding authorization will allow you to participate in riding activities that do not include the use of a weapons or objects while riding.

Requirements

To authorize for general riding, you must demonstrate to the authorizing marshal:

1. Familiarity with the relevant portions of the Society Marshal's Equestrian Handbook and kingdom-specific equestrian requirements, and the nature of equestrian activities within the Society.
2. Awareness of the risks inherent to equestrian activities, including recognition of how your current skill level relates to the horse you intend to ride.
3. Ability to safely control your horse while engaging in SCA equestrian activities.

Riding authorization procedure

1. The marshal will have a conversation with you so that they can:
   1. Determine your familiarity with the rules, the risks, and the nature of SCA equestrian activities.
   2. Examine of your understanding of your current skill level and how well you know the horse you intend to ride that day.
2. You will need to demonstrate the ability to control your horse by riding a pattern that includes both directions, and halting on command.
3. You will need to demonstrate the correct response to "hold!".
4. You must demonstrate either:
   1. The ability to ride at any gait, or
   2. The ability to stay at a gait suitable to your current skill.

Driving

Where it is feasible, safe, or the course allows it, a driving authorization allows you to:

• Drive and participate in non-combat SCA equestrian activities (e.g. skill at arms, games, processions, performances, site rides, etc)
• Drive in non-combat SCA equestrian activities while a passenger wields the weapon(s) or other objects.

Requirements

To authorize for driving, you must demonstrate to the authorizing marshal:

1. Familiarity with the relevant portions of the Society Equestrian Handbook and kingdom-specific equestrian requirements, and the nature of equestrian activities within the Society.
2. Awareness of the risks inherent to equestrian activities, including recognition of how your current skill level relates to horses and equipment you intend to drive, and how your equipment may affect other non-driving horses.
3. Ability to safely control your horse and driving equipment while engaging in SCA equestrian activities, and (as applicable) encumbered by passengers and/or weapons/games equipment.

Driving authorization procedure

1. The marshal will have a conversation with you to determine your familiarity with the rules, the risks, and the nature of SCA equestrian activities.
2. You must demonstrate the knowledge and ability to hitch and harness your horse.
3. You must demonstrate the ability to drive forward, turn, and change directions at:
   1. the walk,
   2. a trot or intermediate gait.
4. You must demonstrate the ability to halt.
5. You will need to demonstrate the correct response to "hold!".
6. You should demonstrate the ability to back. In deep footing, backing may be skipped in the interest of horse wellbeing.

Weapons and games

You can authorize for mounted activities that include the use of a weapon or other objects while riding, or competitive games against other riders.

Requirements

To authorize for weapons and games, you must demonstrate to the authorizing marshal:

1. You meet the requirements of the general riding authorization.
2. Familiarity with, and the ability to safely handle and use approved weapons while riding.
3. The ability to safely control your horse while using approved weapons.
4. The ability to safely secure a weapon in the event of a "hold!" being called.
5. The ability to safely discard a weapon.

Weapons and games authorization procedure

1. The marshal will have a conversation with you to:
   1. Determine your familiarity with the additional rules and requirements of mounted martial activities. You should be able to explain what weapons are used for which activity, and demonstrate the proper use of each.
   2. Examine your understanding of your current skill level with regards to weapons handling and the horse you are riding that day.
2. While carrying a short weapon (e.g. sword or javelin) and then a long weapon (e.g. ring lance or quintain lance), you will need to demonstrate:
   1. The ability to control your horse in both directions, including changing gaits and halting on command
   2. The correct use of the weapon while continuing to maintain control of your horse.
   3. Safely handing a weapon to and from ground crew. (i.e. tip up or down, not pointed at ground crew).