Equestrian:Change log

Change log

Completely new version - Approved by the Board of Directors for commentary - 23 June 2026

In 2023, the Society Marshal's office embarked on an ambitious modernization project. The goal was to update all the Marshal handbooks, along with the marshal related sections in Corpora, to better reflect the current structure, culture, and safety best practices we use today in our SCA martial activities. We wanted to create online-focused, user-friendly handbooks to make it easier for newcomers and current members to find relevant information. The architecture of the online system was also developed to support consistency, easier and timely updates, while preserving Kingdom specific rules and culture.

User friendly

The handbooks start with the information that new members need to know and provides context of SCA martial activities. The information you need to be able to participate is first, followed by the information for marshals and those who administer martial activities. We have used Plain English as per https://www.plainlanguage.gov/ and other similar standards where we can, though there is room for improvement.

Same template and categories of information

Each discipline's handbook will be structured the same way, so that you can easily find key differences between martial forms. You should find the same kind of information in the same chapters whether you are looking at armored combat, fencing, target archery, etc.

Consistency

Some information should be the same for all martial forms. However, previous handbooks referenced other handbooks and version control created issues and unnecessary differences. Through the use of the wiki-engine, in places where handbooks should have the same content (eg how you report an injury), they now pull the same content from our global pages - rules that are global across all of our disciplines. If those global rules are changed, they will change consistently for all disciplines. Global sections are denoted by a light grey background.

Society handbooks are now self-contained.

Prior handbooks referred to rules and processes contained in the Marshals Handbook, which resulted in people having to read and know two separate handbooks. These items are now included in each handbook, and are often global sections.

Kingdom handbooks

Online kingdom handbooks will include the Society level information and their Kingdom specific rules and standards. The Kingdom specific information will be denoted in a different color, so differences are easier to identify and find.

Redline copy isn't available for this first online version

Because we have rebuilt the rules from the ground up, a direct redline version of the rules from the old rules is not possible. However, all of the old rules have been accounted for and tracked in a separate document - many are just reworded for clarity and Plain English, many are now in a different (hopefully better) location. We will also point out the rules that functionally change the way that we play in the summaries below, and in the cross check document.

The Equestrian handbook includes two unique items

1. Society level programs - In addition to Society level minimum standards and requirements that Kingdoms build upon, there is also a Society level run program (Wooden lance Jousting). We have split out the Wooden Lance Jousting specifics where it makes sense (authorizations, armor requirements, marshal-overview)
2. Historical focus programs - We have included tags for historical focus activities (Rossfechten, Wooden lance jousting). These programs run a little bit different than standard martial activities.

Major changes

1. "Horse" is used as the general term instead of "equine."
2. "Games" has become “Weapons/Games”
3. Crest combat is no longer a separate authorization. It is included under Weapons/Games.
4. Rossfechten with plastic synthetic blades ("Rawlings blades") is no longer experimental and will be a standard approved activity.
5. For special authorizations, riders must demonstrate the ability to ride at gaits faster than the walk. As these activities include interaction with other riders/horses or projectile weapons, a higher level of riding ability must be demonstrated. Trot is required for Mounted archery and Mounted Combat. Canter is required for jousting and Rossfechten
6. Added common conventions that have not been written down before
7. Activities managed at the Society level, such as Wood Jousting, are included in this handbook for completeness instead of having separate handbooks/documentation.
8. Injury reporting now follows the same reporting chain and timeline as all SCA martial activities. (Global section)
9. Handbooks are self-contained. Prior references to rules and processes in the Marshals Handbook are now included here. Many of these are global sections.

Chapter summaries

1. Introduction to SCA martial activities (global)

   This chapter is one of our global ones that appears in every one of the new Society Marshal's Handbooks for each discipline.

   It contains an overview of all the martial forms, layout of the handbooks, general rules, in or out of kingdom guidelines, and a section for newcomers so they know what to expect when showing up for the first time.

2. Rules of the Lists (global)

   The Rules of the Lists apply to all of our martial disciplines, so they are global and the same content appears in every handbook.

   Changes to the Rules of the Lists in Corpora were consulted on and approved by the Board of Directors in November 2024.

   The applications of the Rules of the Lists have all been incorporated into their relevant section of the rules.

   Change:

   • The Rules of the Lists were reordered, and the prohibition of missile in tournament lists has been removed. Whether missiles are allowed is now set at the tournament level, and events such as combat archery tournaments can now be held without bending the rules.
3. Overview of Equestrian

   This chapter is a brief description of the discipline, includes some definitions of key terms, a list of the types of activities, and authorization categories. Most of this content captures existing concepts.

   Changes:

   • "horse” is used as the general term instead of “equine”
   • Names of activities were updated to be more consistent with their focus.
     • "Games” involving weapons and targets are now labeled “Skill-at-arms”.
     • “Games” is now used to describe historical games done on horseback.
   • Authorizations
     • The Games authorization category is now called “Weapons/Games”. This category still includes both skill-at-arms and games (unchanged from previous).
     • Crest combat is no longer a separate authorization. It is included under Weapons/Games. This is consistent other activities of very low risk due to type of weapons, minimal protective equipment requirements, and/or limited contact (similar in risk as jereeds and Dakyu).
     • Rossfechten with plastic simulators is no longer experimental. It is a regular activity. However, Rossfechten with metal weapons and the expanded weapons (lances, mock gunnery) is still experimental.
4. When you are allowed to participate This chapter is all about when you are allowed to participate, either as a marshal or rider/driver/other. It provides age requirements, sign-in requirements, authorization and inspection requirements, and general injury and impairment rules.

   Many of these rules were scattered through Sections I-III of the Marshals Handbook, and have been reworded without functional change.

   Changes:

   • Marshals must be at least 18 years old. This was not defined before.
   • Added sign-in requirements for events or practices. These have been requirements from Corpora for a long time, now included in the handbooks for clarity.
   • Added concussions to the list of when you cannot participate.
5. Expected behavior and responsibilities (partial global)

   These are global rules of behavior that apply to all martial disciplines - follow the rules, behave in a chivalrous manner, etc. These rules were scattered through the old handbooks, and have been gathered together in this section and wording updated. Horse Welfare rules are included in this chapter.

   Changes:

   • Horse welfare - added additional details and clarification, in particular on marshals handling potential horse welfare issues.
   • Added common horse etiquette.
6. Activity guidelines (Chapters 6 - 14)

   This chapter provides newcomers with descriptions of our activities and competitions. This topic was missing in most martial handbooks, making it hard for people to know what we actually did. It also includes a brief historical reference for each activity.

   Each activity description includes a summary of requirements (e.g. authorization, armor, weapons, equipment), along with conventions (e.g. target areas, rules of engagement, acknowledgement of blows, judging blows, scoring). Details on requirements for armor, weapons and other equipment found in the chapters on Equipment Standards.

   Changes:

   • Descriptions of our most common activities, including requirements and conventions, are now included.
15. Conventions - Holds (partial global)

    This chapter includes what everyone needs to do when a hold is called, so some of this content is global, regardless of the discipline. Some of this content was gathered from other sections of the handbooks.

    Changes:

    • Specifics on holds for horse activities was added.
16. Conventions - Use of weapons and equipment (General)

    This chapter includes general rules about when you can hit someone and how. Specific rules of engagement are included in each Activity chapter.

    Changes:

    • Added common conventions that have not been written down before.
    • Updated the grip used in tent-pegging. Removed the requirement that it has to be pressed against your inner arm. This makes it more consistent to the technique used in the UK and other international tent pegging associations.
17. Equipment standards - Armor

    All of the standards for armor are in this chapter. This is mostly a re-organization of the current standards, with some additional information and a chart for easy reference.

    Changes:

    • Added requirements for fencing masks (copied from Rapier).
    • Expanded faceguards from two types to four, and added descriptions: open bar grill, perforated, closed (ocular openings), and mesh (12kg equivalent).
    • Body armor now has 2 categories: padded or rigid
18. Equipment standards - Weapons and other equipment

    This chapter includes standards for weapons used in the activities. In addition to weapon standards, it also lists requirements by activity.

    Changes:

    • Re-organized this section around activity types
    • Thrown weapons – removed throwing daggers.
    • Mounted archery
      • added carbon fiber arrows of neutral colors allowed
      • added rapier combat archery equipment
    • Shields – general description added to mounted combat and Rossfechten.
    • Jousting shields for foam and wood combined under one set of standards.
    • Clarified that lanyards on hand-held weapons are not allowed. This was always true, just not written down before.
19. Designated areas

    Each handbook will have a section on the requirements and considerations for the areas set aside for the activity.

    Changes:

    • Added general rules for areas used for equestrian activities. This is similar to Armored combat and rapier rules general rules for designated areas.
    • Event space requirements specific to support equestrian activities (trailers, tying, overnight paddocks) were added for reference. This question comes up often from autocrats often, so it is included for reference.
20. Authorization - Overview (global)

    Many of our martial disciplines require you to officially demonstrate competence and the required level of safety before allowing you to participate in competitions or other activities outside of formal training. This chapter includes the general requirements to authorize that relate to all disciplines (this content is global). There are three (3) chapters for the detailed process to authorize someone depending on the activity.

    Changes:

    • Default authorization procedures have been added. Kingdoms may substitute their own procedures. Kingdoms are required to establish authorization procedures, but now they have the option of using the provided example procedures or creating their own that meet the requirements.
    • Rules updated to account for online systems.
    • If you move to another kingdom, your previous authorizations are only valid for 6 months. After that you must renew your authorizations under your new kingdom's processes. This makes sure that you are in their databases for administration, and that you have learned the differences in rules for your new kingdom.
    • We have added a process that allows you to authorize in things that your kingdom does not do, through another kingdom, as long as both the Kingdom Earls Marshal and their relevant deputies agree.
    • Kingdoms are allowed to use warranted marshals from other kingdoms to conduct an authorization. The final decision to issue an authorization resides with the marshalate of the kingdom responsible for the authorization (e.g. kingdom of residence or sponsoring kingdom).
    • The Kingdom Earl Marshal, Principality Earl Marshal, and the Deputy Earl Marshal for Equestrian can conduct minor authorizations for equestrian activities if they are an authorizing marshal.
    • We have added a 2-person integrity rule for new or significantly lapsed authorizations. Two people need to sign off on your authorization. We have added a video option for if you don't have an authorizing marshal close to you.
    • Authorizations expire, and have a maximum of 4 years. There was previously no limit at Society level if you continued to have a valid waiver on file.
    • You must demonstrate your competence in the practical components and be re-tested for your theory knowledge at least every 4 years to maintain your authorization. On average, there are handbook updates about every 3 years, and this will ensure you are aware of the changes.
    • Although we require two people to sign off on new or significantly lapsed authorizations, renewing an existing or recently expired authorization only requires one warranted marshal in order to complete the process.
21. Authorizations - General Riding / Weapons-Games / Driving

    This chapter provides examples of authorization procedures that kingdoms can use for General Riding, Weapons-Games, or Driving. Unless a kingdom includes their own procedures that meets the required standards, this is the procedure that needs to be included in their rules.

    Changes:

    • The example reflects the "2 person integrity" rule. All authorizations require 2 people in that activity to sign off.
    • At least 1 person is a subject matter expert in both content and process (i.e. a warranted marshal in that activity)
    • The 2nd person must be currently qualified in that activity (ie. warranted marshal or an equestrian authorized in that category/activity)
22. Special Authorizations - Mounted Archery / Mounted Combat / Rossfechten / Jousting-foam

    This chapter provides examples of authorization procedures that kingdoms can use for Mounted Archery, Mounted Combat, Rossfechten, and Jousting-foam. Unless a kingdom includes their own procedures that meets the required standards, this is the procedure that needs to be included in their rules.

    Changes:

    • For special authorizations, riders must demonstrate the ability to ride at gaits faster than the walk. As these activities include interaction with other riders/horses or projectile weapons, a higher level of riding ability must be demonstrated.
      • Trot is required for Mounted archery and Mounted Combat.
      • Canter is required for jousting and Rossfechten.
    • Rossfechten with plastic simulators (Rawlings) is no longer experimental, but an approved activity.
23. Special Authorizations - Wood lance jousting

    This chapter provides the authorization procedure for Wood lance jousting. This is a Society managed program.

    Changes:

    • Removed requirement to be a warranted marshal in their kingdom. The Society Deputy now has the ability to warrant marshals for Society activities.
24. Accessibility (partial global)

    This is a new chapter for our handbooks on ways to support inclusion and equity in our martial activities. If you have good examples for ways we can support accessibility in rapier combat or any of our other martial disciplines, please get in touch.

25. Safety Resources (global)

    This entirely new global chapter will appear in all of our handbooks.

    It includes information about managing concussions, including a strong recommendation to follow international sporting body guidance that participants who have experienced a concussion be symptom free for 14 days before return to any contact training, and wait at least 21 days (and have been symptom free for 14 days) before return to competitive contact activities.

    We recommend that kingdoms develop heat policies to help prevent heat injury, and air quality policies.

26. Injury Procedures (global)

    How we manage injuries should be consistent across all of our disciplines, so this global chapter will appear in all of the handbooks.

    Changes:

    • The safety of responders has been prioritized. No one else should get hurt in the process of responding.
    • We remind you than anyone can call hold, it doesn't have to be the marshal.
    • We have removed the requirement to get the event marshal-in-charge's permission to remove an injured person from the field. Medical personnel dealing with an injured person must be able to respond as they need to. Requiring extra time to locate specific SCA personnel, especially at a large event, is problematic.
    • If your injury involves free flowing blood, you must leave the field immediately and you are not allowed to return until the flow of blood has been stopped.
    • If your injury includes any level of suspected concussion (even without loss of consciousness), we strongly recommend you follow international sporting guidance on managing your return to the activity - ie. be symptom free for 14 days before return to any contact training, and wait at least 21 days (and have been symptom free for 14 days) before return to competitive contact activities.
    • If your injury includes a period of unconsciousness, you will not be allowed back onto the field for remainder of the event (including multi-day events) and you are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention as loss of consciousness due to injury is a medical emergency.
    • Injury reporting requirements are covered in the chapter on Reporting requirements.
27. Managing misconduct (global)

    How we deal with issues in our activities should be consistent across all of our disciplines, so we have a global chapter in all of our handbooks about how to manage when there is unacceptable behavior or people break the rules.

    Changes:

    • Many sports include a mechanism for removing and excluding a player (being sent-off) for misconduct for a period of time, or a game or two, such as football/soccer's red cards, or ejection from a gridiron football game or baseball, benching a player, etc.
    • If there is unacceptable behavior, whether as a participant or a marshal, a marshal can decide that you are no longer acceptable to be on the field, and exclude you from taking part for a period of time.
    • We have provided marshals with escalating levels of options for managing misconduct, articulated the processes and reporting required, and included the process for appealing if you think someone got it wrong.
    • Options for managing misconduct include examples ranging from someone losing their temper because they just need some water and a snack, through to "you can't fight at this event," and up to revocation of authorization.
    • Revocation of authorization was a significant step that many marshals were unwilling to take. Smaller steps, with recommendations up the chain, have been included.
      • A marshal for a bout can stop the bout and send someone off.
      • The marshal-in-charge of the activity (eg a tournament) can remove someone from that activity.
      • The marshal-in-charge of equestrian at the event can remove someone any further participation in equestrian activities at the event.
      • The marshal-in-charge of the event can remove someone any further participation in any martial activity at the event (even a multi-day event).
      • Any disciplinary action that would last longer than an event will escalate to your Kingdom Earl Marshal, Principality Marshal, or Kingdom Deputy for Equestrian. They can suspend or revoke your authorization. If another kingdom marshalate thinks this need to happen, they will make that recommendation to your kingdom's marshalate.
    • We added Marshal reviews as a best practice recommendation.
28. Marshalate - Overview

    This global and equestrian specific chapter gathers the existing information about what marshals can do, depending on whether they have a warrant or not. It's consistent across all the handbooks. It also sets out the requirements for authorizing and warranting of marshals for equestrian activities.

    Changes:

    • A reminder that roster warrants need to be signed every reign.
    • Marshals must meet Society and kingdom requirements before they can be authorized and warranted. You cannot automatically be made a marshal due to awards or title (such as being a member of the Order of Chivalry, Defense, or Mark, or the Crown).
    • You must maintain current knowledge of the Rules of the Lists, the Equestrian handbook, and any additional kingdom rules or conventions, as they change or are updated.
    • Marshal authorizations may not exceed 4 years.
    • You must demonstrate your competence in the practical components, and be re-tested for your theory knowledge at least every 4 years to maintain your authorization. This matches the requirements for other authorizations.
    • You must be an authorized marshal in the discipline you are being warranted for.
29. Marshalate - Responsibilities and chain of command (global)

    This global chapter is common to all disciplines, and lays out the chain of command from a warranted marshal at the bottom to the Society Marshal and the Board of Directors at the top.

    Changes:

    • The escalation paths require subject matter experts to be used to make decisions about a particular discipline. For example, if you are not a warranted and authorized marshal for equestrian, you do not get to make decisions about equestrian activities.
    • This is why the crown is not automatically in the basic chain of command of the marshalate, as they may not be qualified in other disciplines beyond the one that got them the throne.
    • For roles that include multi-discipline responsibility and accountability (e.g. marshal-in-charge of the event, Principality Earl Marshal, Kingdom Earl Marshal, Society Marshal etc):
      • You should consult a subject-matter expert (SME). You can support the SME recommendation, or, if you disagree with the SME, document the reason.
      • You should verify and document whether the correct procedures have been followed to manage any issues, that the appropriate subject matter experts were involved and actions are justified, and direct any further appeal (if applicable) to the next person in the chain of command.
    • We've use RACI definitions (responsible, accountable, consulted, informed) to help define what our marshals do. At each level we have included:
      • What the role is responsible for
      • Who appoints them
      • What they are held accountable for
      • Who they report to
      • Who keeps them informed
      • Who they consult with, if needed
30. Kingdom Marshalate

    In the Kingdom versions, this chapter includes information about how that kingdom manages training and authorization of marshals.

31. Inspecting equipment

    This new chapter provides sample processes for inspecting armor, weapons, and other equipment.

32. Marshaling on the field

    This chapter provides guidelines on when marshals are required, and how to marshal. Many of the rules in this chapter are not rigid requirements, but an attempt to help clarify and to provide examples of acceptable methods and procedures. Check which rules use "must", and which use "should". This includes general guidelines from the referenced Marshals Handbook.

    Changes:

    • This section is mostly new, previously referenced to the Marshals Handbook.
33. Interkingdom Events (global)

    This global chapter applies to wars, where multiple kingdoms need to negotiate how they will play together in all disciplines, where there would otherwise be conflicting rules between kingdoms. This includes general guidelines from the referenced Marshals Handbook.

    Changes:

    • This global section is added to the equestrian handbook. It was previously referenced to the Marshals Handbook.
    • Society rules are now the minimum at interkingdom events, instead of requiring a Kingdom hosted activity to require all participants adhere to their kingdom rules. Kingdoms may still opt to do so but are not required to.
34. Reporting requirements (global)

    This global chapter occurs in all of the handbooks and includes injury and incident reporting, event reporting requirements, and officer reporting requirements.

    Previously, there were up to 5 different reporting processes and timelines for injuries, depending on the martial handbook, which caused confusion to multi-discipline marshals and participants. There is now one process.

    Changes:

    • There are a range of issues that can occur at events or practices that must be reported. This includes:
      • Injuries (examples include, but are not limited to: loss of consciousness, major bleed, injury to head, major joint or bone injury)
      • An incident or injury which required a combatant to retire from the field, even briefly
      • Anything involving calling emergency services to the site
      • Weapons, armor, or equipment failure
      • A serious safety issue that could have caused injury (a near miss)
      • Conduct/behavior issues
    • Marshals involved in the response to one or more of these issues that occurred at an event or practice will need to assist with reporting.
    • Serious injuries:
      • Includes all injuries which require hospitalization or similar care, may require future or complex medical care, or include a period of unconsciousness.
      • Must be reported immediately to the marshal-in-charge of the event.
    • All other injuries, incidents and adverse events:
      • Must be reported to the marshal-in-charge of the event and the marshal-in-charge of the activity.
      • Must be reported to the kingdom marshalate within 2 weeks and to the Society Marshal within 3 months of the incident.
    • If the incident or injury involves calling emergency services to the site, notify the Kingdom Seneschal immediately.
    • We have included a list of the information that should be included in the incident report.
    • We want to collect information about incidents of misconduct on the field as they help identify low-level but repeating problems. We remind marshals to report these, and how they dealt with them.
    • For officers, we have included who your report needs to go to and what your report should cover. Your kingdom may have additional requirements.
    • Reporting dates have been made consistent across all disciplines:
      • If you are a Kingdom Deputy for a discipline, your quarterly reports are due March 1, June 1, Sept 1, Dec 1.
      • If you are a Kingdom Earl Marshal, your quarterly reports are due March 15, June 15, Sept 15, Dec 15.
      • If you are a Society Deputy for a discipline, your quarterly reports are also due March 15, June 15, Sept 15, Dec 15.
      • These feed into the Society Marshal's reports which are due Apr 1, July 1, Oct 1, Jan 1
35. Experimentation (global)

    This global chapter is included in all of the handbooks so that the way experiments are conducted is consistent.

    Changes:

    • We have created a standard template to capture necessary information to approve, track, and monitor programs.
    • There are now 3 levels of administration control, depending on risk and participation levels. Society and Society+Kingdom-level programs provide greater control and risk management, and provide a consistent approach. *This enables better management of activities that could have higher risk level through common controls and training. It also better supports activities that may have lower numbers of participation by reducing the burden on local kingdoms with shared marshals and a centralized authorization process/tracking. Kingdom-only is the traditional experimental program method.
36. Handbook updates (global)

    This global chapter is new for all the handbooks. It includes the process for changing the Society Marshal's Handbooks and how that flows into kingdom handbooks, including their electronic versions held in the wiki.

    Changes:

    • All kingdom additions and changes must be submitted to the Society Marshal or the appropriate Deputy Society Marshal for review and comment. This ensures that kingdoms do not drift into incompatibility or inadvertently allow things that are not allowed at Society-level.
    • When Society rules are updated, kingdoms must update their handbooks within a specified timeframe, though kingdoms can ask for extensions if needed.
    • We have included the process for managing rule changes with affiliate organizations, recognizing that they have different needs and processes.
37. Glossary

    This sections is unchanged.

38. Change Log

    This edition of the change log will be different to how they look moving forward, due to the complete update. In future, they should be in the format of:

    • • Rule identification: Which rule is changing?
      • Was: the text of the old rule
      • Now: the text of the new rule
      • Functional change: What does this actually change about the way we do things? Sometimes there's none, we've just come up with an easier way to word it.
    • Reason: Why are we making this change?
    • Significant changes will also be noted in the Notes tab linked at the top of the Chapter. This information doesn't appear in the PDF of the rules, but is a record of what changed when and why. It helps future marshals understand why a rule change was made, just in case we ever think about changing it again.