Young Riders
Regulations for Under 18s
Avv. Michela Masoero – Horses and Law
Compulsory safety wear
Hat:
For all beginners of equestrian sports, whether during training, when participating in competitions or events, and in any other situation in which the rider engages in sporting activities with a horse, it is compulsory for all riders under 18 to wear a hard hat while riding in all disciplines. The hat must comply with the homologation and CE labelling required by the current European and/or national legislation.
Body Protector:
(or back protector with homologation and CE labelling)
For all riders under 18 years of age, it is compulsory to wear a body protector for all activities. This rule includes beginners, as well as more experienced riders, during training, and whilst competing. Exempted from this rule are activities such as ‘first time in the saddle’, and/or other mounted activities ‘on the lead’ by the instructor or operator, as well as activities carried out on ponies listed in category A in the Pony Club Regulations and pony games. All jumping activities, mounted games and vaulting must be performed with a body protector. For under 18 FISE members, the obligation to wear a body protector also applies in competitive sporting events under the patronage of the FEI and/or other Federations.
The instructor may require their students to wear functional clothing and suitable protections. Without safety wear, the rider may not be admitted to equestrian activities in riding centres affiliated or associated with FISE, and/or in any case in activities carried out under the patronage of FISE.
Instructor
- Any rider under 18 may not be allowed to perform in any equestrian activities without the presence of an instructor in the arena. In every competition, the rider under 18 must be assisted by his/her own Instructor or, if the instructor can’t be present, the rider must officially delegate another instructor, provided he/she has the suitable qualification.
- Entries for riders under 18 years of age must always be made exclusively by the registered riding centre where the rider has sporting residence, with the consent of the instructor. The riding club that provides the registration of the under 18 rider must enter the name of the instructor assisting the junior rider in a competition when registering online. Any change of class for under 18 riders must be declared by the instructor.
- The starting order including the names of the under 18 riders is available in the warm-up arena. Underage riders in possession of a guest licence must be assisted in the competition by an accompanying adult, whose name must be notified to the competition secretary at the time of registration or, at the latest, on arrival at the event venue. The accompanying adult also assists the junior rider in the warm-up.
Special Categories – Show Jumping
Children on horses
Maximum height: 130 cm
For riders from 12 to 14 years of age, should only be riding horses (no ponies).From the age of 9, very young riders are allowed to take part in Children on horses reserved categories.
Junior categories
Maximum height: 140 cm.
For riders from 14 to 18 years of age.
Unless the event is reserved to certain categories, juniors with a 2nd degree licence are allowed to take part in competitions higher than 140 cm.
License limitation
The 1st degree licence cannot be requested before the age of 9 for the disciplines of show jumping, dressage and eventing, 12 for the discipline of driving, 15 for endurance.
The 2nd degree licence cannot be requested before the age of 12 for the show jumping discipline, 14 for eventing and driving, and 16 for dressage.
Juniors who, in the course of their 18th year of age, apply for a licence at a higher competitive level must comply with the ‘regulations for junior riders’ until the 31st of December of the year in which they turn 18.
In national competitions, riders under the age of 18 with a 2nd degree licence may take part in the 125 cm classes, but do not compete for any prize money. Junior riders must be at least 12 to be able to take part in international events. Participation in the Six Bar class (2nd gr.) is restricted to athletes who are at least 14 years old.
Pony or horse?
All junior riders aged between 5 (calendar year) and 16 (calendar year) in possession of the suitable riding licences for the current year may participate in pony events and events with reserved pony categories.
Licensees aged between 5 and 7 may only ride ponies.
Licence holders aged between 8 and 16 may ride both ponies and horses.
Licensees over 16 years of age may ride horses and they may only ride ponies in horse categories. Participation in reserved pony categories is also excluded.
Liability
The President of the organisation where the junior rider is registered is responsible for the above registered member of their club.
