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| Equestrian | |||
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Introduction
Special Olympics athletes who compete in the equestrian events learn to ride, develop sports skills and gain the self-confidence to direct and control a horse.
Athletes are able to compete in a variety of English and Western style events, including relays, drill teams and prix caprilli (jumping events).
Special Olympics athletes also can participate in Special Olympics Unified Sports® team relays and drill teams. Unified Sports is a programme that combines Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (partners) on sports teams for training and competition. During an Equestrian competition, Unified Sports team relays and drill teams would be made up of one athlete and one partner (two athletes and two partners for a four person team).
As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level and age (equestrian athletes are not separated by gender).
Competition Venue
Abbey Park, Abbey Park Road, Leicester
Abbey Park is Leicester’s premier park and lies approximately one mile north of the city centre. This beautiful park makes an attractive and flexible venue for an Equestrian competition. In addition, the park has excellent facilities with a large car park and level tarmac pathways throughout.
Suitable competition area – vast flat park land areas
On-site stabling and accommodation can be arranged
Seating area could be set up
Ancillary/changing facilities
Accessible
Visitors Centre for catering
Abbey Park was used in the 1989 Games.
Competition Schedule
| Saturday, 25th July | 12.00 - 3.00 pm Horse Matching |
| Sunday, 26th July | 10.00 - 5.00 pm Horse Matching |
| Monday, 27th July | 9.00 - 5.00 pm |
| Tuesday, 28th July | 9.00 - 5.00 pm |
| Wednesday 29th July | 9.00 - 2.00 pm |
| Thursday, 30th July | 9.00 - 5.00 pm |
| Friday, 31st July | 9.00 - 2.30 pm |
Car Parking
Athletes/Coaches: From their drop off point on Abbey Park Road, athletes and coaches will proceed into the park via the main entrance. This is a walk of 7 – 8 minutes, the surface is even and there will be no other traffic in this area at this time. The area will be marshalled.
Officials: Officials will enter the venue via the main entrance, Car Park B, on Abbey Park Road.
Families: Most family members are expected to arrive at the venue by public transport. On arrival a the main gates, families will be directed to the family marquee or spectator seating.
Spectators: There is no parking for members of the public at the venue and therefore they will arrive at the venue either on foot or by public transport. On arrival at the main gates spectators will be directed to the seating area.
Honoured Guests: From their designated drop off point, guests will enter the venue through the main gates located on Abbey Park Road. They will be escorted to the visitor centre.
Media: From their designated parking bays media will be directed to the GID at the visitor centre.
Officials: Officials will enter the venue via the main entrance, Car Park B, on Abbey Park Road.
Families: Most family members are expected to arrive at the venue by public transport. On arrival a the main gates, families will be directed to the family marquee or spectator seating.
Spectators: There is no parking for members of the public at the venue and therefore they will arrive at the venue either on foot or by public transport. On arrival at the main gates spectators will be directed to the seating area.
Honoured Guests: From their designated drop off point, guests will enter the venue through the main gates located on Abbey Park Road. They will be escorted to the visitor centre.
Media: From their designated parking bays media will be directed to the GID at the visitor centre.
Volunteers: From their arrival point all volunteers will enter the park and go to the volunteer service check in area by the visitor centre.
Catering
Abbey Park cafe located alongside the cycle track area will serve hot and cold snacks which will be available for sale daily.
The park is approximately 10 minutes walk from the city centre where a full range of eateries are available.
Equipment/Uniform
Saddle Cloths & Dress Code
Please would each team provide identifying saddle cloths for their horses. Since the riders will be wearing regulation riding clothing, as described below, the saddle cloth will be the only means of identifying the individual teams during competition. I suggest that saddle cloths carry the regional colours and a logo if possible.
Regulation Riding Dress
- Black or Navy jacket
- White, beige or yellow jodhpurs or breeches
- Long or short riding boots
- Shirt and tie or stock
- White or yellow gloves for dressage Dark gloves for HC&K
- Regional Sweatshirt or T-shirt for HC&K
- Riding hat to current regulations:
BSEN 1384, PAS 015, ASTM F1163, AASINZS 3838 1998, snell E2001
Note: All leaders and side walkers must also wear regulation hat, jods, boots and Regional Sweatshirt or T-shirt.
Horses
Regions are being requested to provide their own horses. Riders borrowing horses must provide their own stirrup irons and leathers. (There will be a cost implication for groups borrowing horses)
The horses must be sound. The Chief Judge and the Event Director will rule on the suitability and the ability of a horse to compete.
List of Events
The following events will be offered:
CODE | LEVEL | EVENT |
EQHC&K | A | Horse Care and Knowledge |
EQDRES | A1 | Dressage (Level A/AP Test 2) |
EQPRCA | A1 | Prix Caprilli (Level A) |
EQDRES | A2 | Dressage (Level A/AP Test 1) |
EQWOTR | A2 | Working Trails |
EQHC&K | B | Horse Care and Knowledge |
EQDRES | B1 | Dressage (Level BI/BIP USDF Test 2) |
EQWOTR | B1 | Working Trails |
EQDRES | B2 | Dressage (Level BI/BIP USDF Test 1) |
EQWOTR | B2 | Working Trails |
EQHC&K | C | Horse Care and Knowledge |
EQDRES | C1 | Dressage (Level C1 SO Walk Test 2) |
EQWOTR | C1 | Working Trails |
EQDRES | C2 | Dressage (Level C1 SO Walk Test 1) |
EQWOTR | C2 | Working Trails |
Competition Rules
The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Bowling shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules for equestrian found at http://www.horsesport.org/rules/rules.htm?sub=rules&active=rules1. FEI or National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall be employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Equestrian or Article I. In such
cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Equestrian shall apply.
For full details of the competition rules please go to:
