When you are allowed to participate

Age requirements

To be authorized as a rider/driver in SCA activities, you must be at least 5 years old.
To be a marshal in equestrian activities, you must be at least 18 years old.

If you are a minor (under the age of majority in the jurisdiction where the event is held):
1. Before you can participate at any event (including practices), your parent or legal guardian will need to execute a waiver, indemnity, or other required document. Minor waiver forms are available in the sca.org document library
2. You must have a parent or legal guardian present, or have a properly executed document in your possession that designates an adult person present at the event as able to authorize medical treatment for you in the case of any emergency. Minor medical forms are available in the sca.org document library
3. Your parent or your designated adult must remain on site of any practice or event and be able to be reached easily and immediately.
No minors (under the age of majority in the jurisdiction where the event is held) may be warranted as a group marshal, the marshal-in-charge of an event, or be an authorizing marshal.
Kingdoms are allowed to establish additional limitations on the participation of minors.

Individual site owners may have rules about minimum age for participation in equestrian activities, which you must follow.
Minors must follow these additional rules:
1. You must wear appropriate footwear (closed toed and heeled if using stirrups).
2. You must wear an approved equestrian riding helmet fitted according to the manufacturer's directions while riding or driving.
3. You are not allowed to participate in activities requiring headgear other than an approved equestrian riding helmet.
For children under 5 years of age interacting with horses at SCA events:
1. For equine interactions and activities that do not require an authorization, the Society does not prohibit children under 5 years of age.
2. However, the Society of Creative Anachronism, Inc., its organizers and agents, officials, servants, and representatives, are not and will not be part of any decision process concerning minors under 5 years of age and equestrian interactions and activities. These decisions are solely the responsibility of the parents/legal guardians and horse owner.

To participate in any SCA martial activities at events, including SCA practices, you must complete any sign-in requirements. These include:
- Signing a general waiver, or showing proof that you have one on file (for example, proof of current membership).
- For minors, additional documents may be required.
- For kingdoms outside of the United States, waiver requirements vary.

If there are equestrian activities at the SCA event or practice, the adult equestrian waiver must be signed by everyone (including on behalf of minors) attending, regardless of membership or other waivers on file. Adult equestrian waivers are available in the sca.org document library - https://www.sca.org/resources/document-library/#Waiver-Forms
1. If a State specific waiver is available it should be used. If there is no specific waiver for your State, then use the "Society Standard Equine Activity Liability Form".
2. This requirement does not apply to areas and countries that are covered by affiliate corporations.
3. For demos, everyone participating in the demo must sign an equestrian waiver.
4. For minors, their parent or legal guardian signs for them on the Adult Equestrian Waiver. Where the waiver says "Legal name", write "<parent's name> as parent/legal guardian on behalf of <minor's name>". Under "Legal signature", the parent or legal guardian signs.

You must be properly authorized under Society and your kingdom-of-residence requirements and processes prior to riding or driving in equestrian activities at an SCA event and SCA demos.
If you are not authorized, you are allowed to do the following:
1. Participate in formal training sessions. These include classes and practice sessions at events and SCA practices, under the supervision of a marshal.
2. Ride on a horse or in a horse-drawn vehicle that is being led/driven an authorized equestrian or marshal.
3. Demonstrate a historical activity with the approval of the Kingdom Equestrian Officer, under the supervision of a warranted equestrian marshal.
All armor and weapons equipment must be inspected by a warranted equestrian marshal before engaging in equestrian activities.
Even though a marshal inspected your weapons, equipment and protective gear, you accept full responsibility for the condition of your own equipment. You have the obligation to yourself, the marshals, and all opponents, to see that your equipment meets all Society and kingdom requirements.

The marshalate is not responsible for the inspection of tack, harness, or vehicles/driving equipment.
You are required to use tack sufficient to allow you to maintain control of the horse. Such tack traditionally includes use of a bridle and saddle, however other combinations of tack may be allowed after you demonstrate control of the horse to the satisfaction of the equestrian marshal-in-charge.
Harnesses, vehicles, and other driving equipment must be in good repair, appropriate to the numbers and size of the horses and appropriate to the planned activities.

You are not allowed to participate with impaired judgment, which includes:
1. Being impaired by an injury such as a concussion.
2. Being impaired by alcohol, prescription or over-the-counter medication, or illegal or controlled substances.
You are not allowed to participate with an injury with free-flowing blood.
Refer to Injury procedures for more information.

You do not have to take part in any Society martial activity if you don't want to.
You can refuse a challenge, decide not to take part in a bout or round, or decide to withdraw from a bout or round.
If you are in a competition, refusing a challenge might result in you forfeiting the bout or round.

If you believe that your opponent's weapon, armor or equipment is unsafe, you can ask a marshal to reinspect the item.