Rule of the Week - Article 201.4 Practice Obstacles

201.4          Practice Obstacles

4.1 The use of obstacle material not provided by the Organising Committee is forbidden under penalty of Disqualification and/or fine (240. 2 and 242.2.6). Practice obstacles may only be jumped in the direction for which they are flagged. No part of the practice obstacles may be physically held by any person.

4.2 Ground lines may be placed directly underneath the first part of an obstacle or up to 1 m away on the take-off side. If there is a ground-line in front of the obstacle, a ground-line may be used behind the obstacle at an equal distance up to maximum 1 m.

4.3 Any obstacles 1.30 m or higher must have a minimum of two poles, in cups, on the take-off side of the obstacle, regardless of whether or not a ground line is used. The lower pole must always be below 1.30 m.

4.4 If crossed poles are used as the top part of an obstacle, they must be able to fall individually. The top end of the poles must be in a cup. However there can be a horizontal top pole behind the crossed poles, which must be at least 20 cm higher than the centre of the crossed poles

4.5 The top poles of an obstacle must always be in cups at both ends. If the pole is resting on the edge of a cup it must be on the far edge and never on the near edge.

4.6 For Competitions where the maximum obstacle height is 1.40m or less, the obstacles in the practice arena may not exceed in height and width 10 cm more than the actual maximum height and width of the obstacles of the competition in progress. If the obstacle height of the competition in progress is greater than 1.40m, the obstacles in the practice arena may not exceed 1.80 m in width and 1.60 m in height.

4.7 It is not permitted to walk horses over poles when these are elevated or placed in cups at one or both ends.

4.8 The Organising Committee may provide material to simulate a water ditch.