Welcome to the OEA’s Rule of the Month, where, with TD Peggy Hambly, we profile key rules of Eventing and keep you up to date on any critical rules changes you need to know about!
Article D117 Inquiries, Protests and Appeals
The competitor, a parent or guardian of a competitor under 18 years old, the owner of the horse, or the owner’s agent, may inquire about any perceived irregularity or mis-scoring during the course of the competition. Such inquiries must be first addressed to the Technical Delegate or a member of the Organizing Committee, or the Ground Jury.
Peggy’s Comments:
Always start with an inquiry (or ‘Query’). At Ontario shows that run over 1 day, please keep in mind that the Ground Jury is busy judging, and you may not interrupt them. The Organizing Committee is busy keeping everything going smoothly. Find the TD, ask the Secretary to call the TD (do NOT ask the Secretary to resolve the problem for you). The TD will listen to your inquiry, give you advice, talk to the Ground Jury and report back to you, unless it is a decision the TD can make immediately. NEVER go to scoring on your own, they are very busy. The TD is there to HELP you and help you understand whatever may have happened, be it a scoring issue or a different interpretation of events. Always be polite. You may not agree with the decision, but you must treat people with respect.
Please keep in mind that you may not place an inquiry until final scores for that section have been posted. For instance, you may not question faults before final scores are posted, and do not rely on the minute-by-minute updates provided on-line as they are not official and are subject to change.
2. Protests.
The Competitor, a parent or guardian of a competitor under 18 years old, the owner of the horse, or the owner’s agent authorized in writing, are entitled to lodge a protest. Protests raised during the competition or at any time when the Ground Jury is responsible for the competition must be addressed to the President of the Ground Jury. The protest must be written and signed and accompanied by a fee to the Organizing Committee which will be refunded if the protest (or subsequent appeal) is upheld. The protest shall be delivered to the Event Secretary.
Peggy’s Comments:
The first thing I wish to tell you is that in almost 25 years of being a TD I have been handed ONE Appeal. So, clearly, it doesn’t happen very often. The TD takes the question to the Ground Jury unless it is something very simple. The Ground Jury, TD, Course Designer and Organizing Committee work together as a team. But, if you strongly disagree with the result of your inquiry, you are welcome to file an Appeal. This is written, paid for and delivered to the Secretary. The TD then takes it to the Ground Jury and whom ever else it may involve. An investigation or conversation is held with the officials and then with the complainant. This is so that the person with the complaint can be given the opportunity to hear the why, when, where reasoning of the answer to the complaint.
3. Time limits for protests
Protests shall be lodged within the following time limits.
3.1 Protests against the eligibility of a Horse or a Competitor: not later than one hour before the start of the relevant competition.
3.2 Protests against an obstacle, the length or plan of the course in the Cross Country test: not later than 1800 hours (6:00 pm) on the day before the relevant test.
Peggy’s Comments:
Please keep in mind that in Ontario at a ONE day event, the Ground Jury may not be present until the morning of an event. You still must meet the timeline and the TD, Organizer and designer will discuss and notify the Ground Jury. You may or may not receive the response until the morning of the event.
3.3 Protests against an obstacle, the length or plan of the course, or condition of the arena in the jumping test: not later than 15 minutes before the start of the test.
3.4 Protests concerning scoring:
3.4.1 Horse Trial held on one day: Within one half hour after the Competitor’s FINAL score is posted.
Peggy’s Comment:
This means posted as final score by scoring at the show, NOT the on-line system.
3.5 Protests concerning irregularities or incidents during the competition within one hour of the occurrence.
4. Appeals
4.1 an appeal against the ruling of the Ground Jury must be made in writing to the President of a Participating Provincial Equestrian Federation or to Equestrian Canada if the competition is held in a province of a non-participating Provincial Equestrian Federation. The appeal must be received within seventy-two hours of the conclusion of the event.
Peggy’s Comment:
Appeals should be sent to Equestrian Canada Competitions Department and copied to Eventing Sport Department. Please feel free to contact me (Peggy) through the OEA if you have any questions. So, for instance, depending on level of show the appeal would go to the President of the provincial Eventing association responsible for the event and cc as stated, OR depending on levels, to EC Competitions and cc Eventing. The TD should be happy to advise.
4.2 There is no appeal against decisions of the Ground Jury in the following cases:
4.2.1 In matters where the Ground Jury is required to exercise judgment during a competition under the Rules.
4.2.2 The elimination of Horses for Veterinary reasons.
4.2.3 The imposition of a Warning Red Card.
4.2.4 Immediate disqualification during a competition.
4.2.5 In cases of abuse or dangerous riding.
Please feel free to contact me (Peggy) through the OEA if you have any questions.
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