Equestrian:Rider Driver Requirements

Rider/Driver Requirements

Authorization Requirements

1. Authorizations shall take place at a SCA activity such as an event and/or practice.
2. An individual must be an authorized equestrian in order to ride at an event. The only exceptions to this requirement are:
   1. An individual in the process of authorizing under the supervision of an Equestrian Marshal.
   2. An individual being led by an authorized equestrian.
   3. Individual[s] demonstrating an activity with the approval of the Kingdom Equestrian Officer. The Equestrian Marshal in Charge of the event (EqMIC) shall oversee the demonstration subject to the following requirements:
      1. Equestrian waiver[s] are executed prior to conducting demonstration
      2. The demonstration must be conducted under the supervision of a warranted equestrian marshal.
      3. The EqMIC shall provide an event report to the KEO, which includes a description of the demonstration and any comments or concerns.

Authorization Types

Authorizations shall take place at a SCA activity such as an event and/or practice. See III. Event Requirements. There are four types of authorizations:

• General Riding
• Mounted Games
• Driving
• Special Authorizations

1. General Riding. An individual may be authorized solely for riding. The Authorizing Equestrian Marshal should consider the following:
   1. The individual must demonstrate familiarity with the Society Equestrian Handbook, any Kingdom specific equestrian requirements, and the nature of equestrian activities within the Society.
   2. The individual must demonstrate an awareness of the risks inherent to equestrian activities, including recognition of how their current skill level relates to the equine they intend to ride.
   3. The individual must demonstrate the ability to safely control their equine while engaging in SCA equestrian activities.
2. Mounted Games. An individual may be authorized for participation in mounted games. The Authorizing Equestrian Marshal should consider the following:
   1. The individual meets the General Riding requirements.
   2. The individual must demonstrate familiarity with, and the ability to safely handle and use, the equipment used in SCA mounted games.
   3. The individual must demonstrate the ability to safely control their equine while engaging in SCA equestrian activities while encumbered by the appropriate equipment.
3. Driving. An individual may be authorized for driving. The Authorizing Equestrian Marshal should consider the following:
   1. The individual must demonstrate familiarity with the Society Equestrian Handbook, any Kingdom specific equestrian requirements, and the nature of equestrian activities within the Society.
   2. The individual must demonstrate an awareness of the risks inherent to equestrian activities, including recognition of how their current skill level relates to equines and equipment they intend to drive, and how their equipment may affect other non-driving equines.
   3. The individual must demonstrate the ability to safely control their equine and driving equipment while engaging in SCA equestrian activities and (as applicable) encumbered by passengers and/or games equipment.
4. Special authorizations are required for certain activities.
   1. Special authorizations from kingdoms are required for mounted archery, mounted combat, crest combat, and foam jousting.
      1. The mounted combat program is designed to represent combat as done from horseback. Because incidental strikes to equines will occasionally happen, it is important mounted combatants understand that the combat is representational only, and for this reason, the force levels and associated armor standards are kept intentionally low.
      2. It is also important to understand that armor for SCA ground combat may or may not be suitable for mounted combat or jousting. Any armor intended for equestrian use should be evaluated for its suitability in equestrian martial activities.
   2. Wooden lance jousting requires a special authorization from marshals within the Society’s Wooden Lance Jousting Program. See section II.G below.
5. Youths may be authorized as equestrians subject to the following limitations:
   1. Youths must be at least five (5) years of age in order to participate in equestrian activities, and be able to demonstrate the ability to control the equine, unassisted, at the gaits and in the activities covered by the authorization sought. Age restrictions required by individual site owners must be observed.
   2. Youths are prohibited from participating in activities requiring a helm, namely jousting, crest combat, and mounted combat.
   3. A parent or legal guardian must be immediately available to the Equestrian Marshal in Charge when a youth is engaged in equestrian activities, including serving as ground crew.
   4. A parent or legal guardian must attend the authorization process and execute a waiver authorizing a youth to participate in equestrian activities. The parent or legal guardian must also sign the authorization form.
   5. Youths must wear appropriate footwear (closed toed, and heeled if using stirrups) and approved equestrian riding helmets fitted according to the manufacturer's directions while mounted or driving.
6. Authorizations shall not be issued to persons residing in other kingdoms unless such persons are defined as subjects of the issuing kingdom by specific royal treaty or by exceptions below:
   1. Individuals residing in a Kingdom without an EQ program may be authorized in ONE other Kingdom, providing the KEM of the Kingdom the individual resides in approves, and both the KEO and KEM of the sponsoring Kingdom are willing to sponsor said individual.
   2. Individuals residing in a Kingdom that has an EQ program, but does not have specialty activities in their program can authorize for these specialty activities in ONE other Kingdom, providing both the KEO and KEM of the Kingdom the individual resides in approves, and both the KEO and KEM of the sponsoring Kingdom are willing to sponsor said individual.
   3. For authorizations done under the above exceptions, the sponsoring Kingdom Equestrian Officer shall maintain a record of all such authorizations and administer them in the same manner as resident authorizations
7. An equestrian marshal from any kingdom may suspend the authorization of an equestrian from any other kingdom for the duration of an event for just and stated cause. The EQMiC of the event should be notified immediately and the Earl Marshal and KEO of the equestrian's kingdom of residence should receive a detailed report of the incident within 5 business days.

Waiver requirement

1. The "Waiver and Informed Consent to Participate in SCA Inc. Equestrian Activities" shall be signed during authorization with only one signature per form, and attached to the authorization form. If a State specific "Waiver" is available it should be used. If there is no "Waiver" for your State, then use the "Society Standard Equine Activity Liability Form". This requirement does not apply to areas and countries that are covered by affiliate corporations.
2. Any minor participating in Equestrian Activities must have their parent or legal guardian sign for the minor on the adult Equestrian waiver (general or State specific, whichever is used by adults at the event/practice). Where the waiver says "Legal name", write "<parent's name> as parent/legal guardian on behalf of <minor's name>", and then have the parent sign.

Maximum term

No authorization may be for a period greater than 4 years.

Out of Kingdom Authorizations

Valid authorization cards shall be accepted outside the issuing kingdom as proof of authorizations. Visitors with a valid authorization card from another kingdom must abide by the equestrian regulations of the kingdom they are visiting. Kingdoms may define additional requirements before renewing an authorization card for a person who has moved into that kingdom from another kingdom.

Rider/Driver responsibility

1. In order to participate in equestrian activities, each equestrian must accept responsibility for the following:
   1. Taking reasonable and prudent steps to ensure the well being of any equines over which they have control.
   2. Determining if a mount is suitable for their intended activities and riding/driving ability. They should consult the owner of, or person familiar with, any equine that they are not already familiar with prior to mounting/driving.
   3. Determining if tack or equipment is suitable for their intended activities and riding/driving ability.
   4. Limiting their participation to those activities in which they can maintain control of their equine.
   5. Exercising discretion when engaging in equestrian activities, recognizing a need to avoid situations that create dangerous conditions. This includes maintaining an appropriate safety zone around the equine.
   6. Following the instructions of any equestrian marshals, in particular the instructions of the EqMIC.
2. Failure to fulfill the above responsibilities may result in suspension of the rider's or driver's privilege to participate in equestrian activities for the duration of the event, or suspension or removal of their authorization.
3. Special attention should be paid to appearance and the atmosphere of a medieval event should be maintained. Authorized riders and marshals should disguise or cover modern gear as much as feasible and safety allows. Riders are expected to follow Society policy of wearing at least an attempt at pre-17th century clothing. An attempt at pre-17th century horse trappings or barding is expected (example: A simple squared cloth of period appearance covering the saddle pad).