No horse under four (4) years of age is eligible to compete in a Horse Trials. No horse should be graded until he turns four.
Riders in Horse Trials must be at least eight (8) years of age to be eligible to compete.
The heights and spreads, number of obstacles and speeds which all Pony Clubs must use for cross country jumps and show jumps in Horse Trials can be found in the PCAV rule books.
The following table refers to the heights and spreads for Horse Trials as of September 2004.
(a) HORSE TRIALS — DRESSAGE PHASE
The Candidate rides a Test at the appropriate standard from "Dressage for the Pony Club", (i.e. Stage 5 for Grade 5) and is marked according to the Scale of Marks in the current edition of "Dressage for the Pony Club". The combination must obtain a score of 50% or more.
(b) HORSE TRIALS — CROSS COUNTRY PHASE
Where possible a cross country course, set at the height and spread suitable for the grade, should be used. Where a cross country course is not availably, the use of show jumps built at some distance from each other and resembling as much as possible cross country fences, should be used. The course need not be full length, but should have at least eight (8) obstacles. Start and finish markers should be in place. See PCAV Horse Trials Rules for information on Water Jumps.
The course should be measured, and the Time Allowed established according to the speed for each grade as shown in "Horse Trials Rules, Combined Training Rules, Guidelines for Show Jumping Judges and Course Builders".
After walking the course, the candidate then rides it, at the prescribed speed; and should be judged and scored as per the Cross Country rules as set down in "Horse Trials Rules".
If the combination of horse and rider incurs three (2) disobediences, not only at one obstacle, but anywhere within the course, then that combination will not be graded, or upgraded. This means that, for example, if the combination has one disobedience at obstacle 1, another at obstacle 3, and a further disobedience at obstacle 7, OR all two disobediences at any one obstacle, then that combination will not be considered suitable for grading, or up-grading.
To be considered for grading, or up-grading, the combination must be able to complete the course with control, and without difficulty.
(c) HORSE TRIALS — SHOW JUMPING PHASE
A course should be built according to the specifications for the appropriate grade as shown in "PCAV Horse Trials Rules" i.e. most obstacles at maximum height and spread. The course need not be full length, but should contain at least six (6) obstacles. Start and finish markers should be in place; and the course should be measured, and the Time Allowed established.
The candidate then rides the course at the prescribed speed, and is judged and scored as
