Rules 2019

Equine Distance Riding Association Rules

1. All participants are responsible for knowing and following the rules governing EDRA events.

2. Distance Rides: These competitions are 25-100 miles in length and are reported in multiples of five-mile increments. Distances must be verified by GPS and submitted to EDRA at the time of ride endorsement or up to two weeks before the event. In the event of a course change due to safety concerns (Rule 6.), GPS submittals are required within one week after the event.

   Although the time allowed to complete a ride begins at the official ride start time established by the Ride Manager, participants may choose to leave within 30 minutes after the official start time. Maximum times to complete the ride include holds and are listed below. REPORTED ride result times are MINUS the holds. For example: On a 50-mile ride the maximum time allowed to complete the event is 12 hours, including holds of (for example) 90 minutes. If a rider finishes within 12 hours and meets all veterinary and other event rules and requirements, the reported ride completion time is 10 hours, 30 minutes (12 hours minus 90 minutes of holds). Minimum ride times are not mandated. Miles, completions and points are accrued upon successful completion by an EDRA member and EDRA registered equine and count toward the rider’s and equine’s lifetime miles and season awards. Placings are determined through Rule 19.c), Veterinary Oversight.

3. Test Your Mettle Relays: The same distance, maximum ride time and minimum ride time requirements outlined in Distance Rides apply to relays. Miles on relays may not always be reported in 5-mile increments. For more details, see Test Your Mettle Rules and Information, Appendix A.

   Points are not allocated for relay placings or completions. However, when the rider is an active EDRA member and/or the equine has an active EDRA Logbook, miles and completions from relays are recorded and reported on their record and count toward awards outlined in the Awards Description, Appendix E.

   Ride & Tie Events: When a Ride & Tie of 25 or more miles is held at an EDRA endorsed event, an equine with an active EDRA Logbook successfully completing the event will have miles and completions added to their lifetime record, which will also apply toward equine lifetime awards. Because multiple riders use the equine during a Ride & Tie, miles and completions are not applied toward the rider’s lifetime record. For more details, see the Awards Descriptions Appendix E. Ride & Tie Association rules apply and may be found on the association’s website at http://www.rideandtie.net/rules/ .

4. Maximum Ride Times – Hours:Minutes, including vet check hold times are determined using a 4:16 mph average.

5. Equine participants must be five years old (60 months) to enter 25-70 mile events and seven years (84 months) or older to participate in 75-100 miles events.

6. Mileage for rides must be verified by electronic GPS sources within 5% of the requested endorsed distance. EDRA will provide technical support for verifying ride mileages.

   Ride Managers may make changes in the course for emergencies and/or safety reasons. In the event the course is modified after the endorsement submittal (Rule 2), a new submittal is required. Any course change that takes place the day before, or the day of the event, requires dialog and consensus between the Ride Manager and Steward.

   In the event course mileage no longer meets the 5% of endorsed distance required, the Ride Manager will notify participants of the mileage length and the maximum ride time permitted, after GPS records are verified, as is required in Rule 2.

7. To achieve a completion for the ride, competitors must follow the designated course and equine participants must pass inspections by a designated veterinarian before, during, and after the ride and the pair must complete the course within the designated time allowed.

8. For 25-49 mile rides, participant’s ride time stops when the equine participant’s heart rate meets criteria which determines their finish position in the ride. For rides 50 miles or longer, participant’s ride time stops and placing is determined when rider and equine cross the finish line, provided the equine’s heart rate meets criteria within 30 minutes. All distances must pass the final veterinarian inspection within 60 minutes of finishing to earn a completion in the ride.

9. EDRA rides award placings to participants that have successfully completed the designated course. Note: “Completion Only” will be awarded (no placing) if the Ride Manager and Steward jointly determine that for a specific reason (documented in the Steward’s Ride report), the rider completed the equivalent course, but not in the designated manner.

10. All EDRA rides must provide judging for Best in Class (BC). If no horses are deemed to be eligible, the veterinarian may elect to not award BC.

11. Points per mile are earned as follows:
    *   25-49 mile events accumulate 1.0 point per mile
    *   50-74 mile events accumulate 1.5 points per mile
    *   75-99 mile events accumulate 2.0 points per mile
    *   100-mile events accumulate 2.5 points per mile

12. Bonus points are awarded for top ten finishers using the multipliers on the chart below.
    

    	11+	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1
    1st	3	2.9	2.8	2.7	2.6	2.4	2.2	2	1.8	1.5	1
    2nd	2.5	2.4	2.3	2.2	2.1	1.9	1.7	1.5	1.3	1
    3rd	2.2	2.1	2	1.9	1.8	1.6	1.4	1.2	1
    4th	2	1.9	1.8	1.7	1.6	1.4	1.2	1
    5th	1.8	1.7	1.6	1.5	1.4	1.2	1
    6th	1.6	1.5	1.4	1.3	1.2	1
    7th	1.4	1.3	1.2	1.1	1
    8th	1.3	1.2	1.1	1
    9th	1.2	1.1	1
    10th	1.1	1
    11th	1

13. Dues must be paid to the EDRA Treasurer/Membership Secretary in full, prior to ride miles or points accumulating for the ride season. Miles, completions and/or points are not accumulated retroactively. For 2019, online registration and associated dues are $77.50 for an adult, $26.00  for a corresponding spouse or domestic partner, and $10.50 per youth. Payment by check is $75.00 for an adult,$25.00 for a corresponding spouse or domestic partner, and $10.00 per youth. Lifetime memberships are $750.00 for an adult and $1000.00  for a couple or family. Dues pricing may change upon resolution of  the Board of Directors.

14.  Upon joining or renewing their EDRA membership, riders who declare a weight classification (I, II, III defined below) are eligible for year-end weight class awards. Weight includes rider and tack.
    ◊  Weight class l: up to l70 lbs.
    ◊  Weight class ll: 171-200 lbs.
    ◊  Weight class lll: 201+ lbs.

15. Youth riders are 17 years and younger as of January 1st in the year in which they are riding. A youth rider must be accompanied by and adult rider during the event. However, Youth  riders age 15  to 17 with 1,000 miles of documented distance riding from an approved organization and written parental permission may petition the EDRA Board of Directors to ride unsponsored the ride year.

16. Welfare of the Rider: EDRA is committed to the health and well-being of it’s athletes – rider safety is far more important than any competitive outcome.

    
    Riders are required to wear a helmet at all times when mounted at the ride site or on the course.

    Additionally, because head trauma may adversely affect decision making, the Ride Manager and the Steward have the authority to issue a Rider Option pull if they believe a rider may have a sustained a concussion. The process to be used in making the decision is addressed in the Appendix G Concussion Protocol. At the determination of the Ride Manager and Steward a refund of the ride entry may be awarded.

17. EDRA Logbooks for each equine owned by an EDRA member will be supplied by EDRA and are required for equines ridden by EDRA members. See Logbook Protocols, Appendix B rules and guidelines. To be eligible for yearend awards, equines must have a logbook.

18. Welfare of the Horse (Equine)
    a.  All equines will be presented to a veterinarian prior to the ride as well as at veterinary checks (vet checks or vet exams) during and upon completion of the ride. The equine will be evaluated using metabolic and mechanical criteria (see below). Information will be recorded on ride exam cards during the course of the event and upon completion, in EDRA logbooks for each EDRA equine.
    b.   All rides will include mandatory vet checks with hold times determined by the Ride Manager and veterinarian, taking into account course difficulty, weather and other factors.
    c.   A recommended pulse criterion is 60 beats per minute (bpm) reached within 30 minutes at all holds and upon completion. At the discretion of the veterinarian up to 64 bpm is allowed at an event.
    d.   Equines must be presented to the veterinarian for completion exams within 60 minutes of the finish time.
    e.   Evaluation of metabolic factors may include but is not limited to pulse, respiration, cardiac recovery, and temperature.
    f.   Evaluation of mechanical factors includes but is not limited to gait analysis and body observation. Gait analysis will be conducted at a trot or equivalent, straight out and back. Gait aberrations such as consistent shortness of stride/stiffness as well as consistent observable lameness at any gait are reasons for elimination from the event. Body evaluation consists of but is not limited to examination for wounds or observable consistent pain and sensitivity anywhere on the limbs and body. The degree and nature of such factors should be noted on the vet card. If the veterinarian determines such factors are serious enough to limit the equine’s ability to carry on without further damage, this will result in elimination from the event.
    g.   An equine must be judged to be metabolically and physically sound and demonstrate ability to carry on.
    h.   Any equine judged as unable to carry on will be eliminated. If treatment is required, this must be done under the supervision of the veterinarian, noted in the logbook and vet card, and at the rider’s expense.
    i.   In the event of medical treatment or an equine fatality, a report by the veterinarian will be turned into EDRA with ride results.
    j.   Any equine that presents clear danger to other equines and/or humans may be disqualified or forbidden to enter the event and asked to leave the ride site premises.

19. Veterinary Oversight.
    a.  All EDRA rides will have a designated Head Veterinarian. The following criteria apply for this position:
    * Accredited Veterinarian (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, DVM)
    * Responsible for setting final criteria for ride (hold times and pulse        criteria)
    * Responsible for Best in Class examinations unless they specifically designate another veterinarian to perform the task
    b.   EDRA rides will have a designated treatment veterinarian on site from the time of pre-ride examinations until two hours after the last rider has returned to camp off the course. This veterinarian will provide and be able to administer fluids, IV supplies, and drugs most likely to be utilized at a distance riding event. A Ride Manager may petition the EDRA Board of Directors for an exemption to this rule by submitting an alternate plan.
    c.   EDRA rides will have established pulse criteria as well as ‘ability to carry on’ criteria (see Welfare of the Horse Rule 18 g). Placings in distances between 25-49 miles will be according to the time taken to reach established pulse criteria after crossing the finish line. For distances 50 miles and more, placings are determined according to when the horse and rider cross the finish line. In these instances equines have 30 minutes to reach pulse criteria or they will be eliminated from the event. Ties are not recognized.
    d.   When eliminated due to a metabolic or mechanical issue with the equine, pull codes will be noted on the vet card and in the EDRA logbook. Both will be signed by the ride manager and veterinarian. Pull code options are as follows (see Welfare of the Horse section) for details:
    * Lameness/gait aberration
    * Metabolic
    * Body Condition
    * Overtime
    *Rider Option (when the horse is deemed it has the “ability to carry on” but the rider choose not to continue in the competition.

20. Drugs and Medications for Equines: For details on medications which may not be used during competitions, please see Appendix C, Drug and Medication Rule, and Appendix D, Drug Sampling Protocol, which also describes how the drug testing process will be handled at EDRA events.

21. The EDRA Service Program is designed to maximize educational opportunities for members, and provide service to the distance riding community.

    ✓ EDRA members are strongly encouraged to participate in some type of service experience during the ride season.
    ✓ Riders with limited or no distance riding experience should contact the Service Coordinator to assist them in selecting their first service experience. EDRA members are asked to report their service experiences to the EDRA Service Coordinator and will be listed on the website as EDRA Service Champions.

    Opportunities at rides

    ◊   Manage a ride
    ◊   Help mark/maintain trail
    ◊   Help unmark trail
    ◊   Work at finish line (e.g., timer, ride secretary)
    ◊   Work in pulse box (taking pulse)
    ◊   Scribe for vet
    ◊   Help with mapping trail before ride
    ◊   Assist ride manager

    Other Opportunities
    ◊   Serve on an EDRA Committee
    ◊   Organize, present, or assist with an educational clinic
    ◊   Mentor other EDRA members through the mentor program
    ◊   Write an educational article for the website
    ◊   Make an educational webinar for the website
    ◊   Provide other ideas for member volunteers
    ◊   Connect members with limited or no distance riding experience to
          an experienced mentor
    ◊  Connect members who want to participate in the Mentor program
    with mentors or mentees.
    ◊  Recruit mentors

22. THE EDRA Mentor Program is designed to provide riders of  all levels of experience the opportunity to teach and learn from  others’
    experiences.  The EDRA Mentor program will:
    

    ◊  Connect members with limited or no distance riding experience to
    an experienced mentor
    ◊  Connect members who want to participate in the Mentor program
    with mentors or menses
    ◊  Recruit mentors

23.  Awards Descriptions Appendix E.

24. Ride Managers may refuse entry with due cause. If this action is taken, it must be reported to the Steward and included in the Steward’s ride report.

25.  Individuals at an EDRA event shall demonstrate ethical and sportsmanlike behavior, whether rider, volunteer, rider crew, observer.

26. The EDRA BOD will assign an EDRA Steward to each EDRA endorsed ride to address and manage conflicts which arise, support and advise the Ride Manager on other issues that may arise.

27. Appropriate behavior that promotes safety, fairness and good sportsmanship is expected at EDRA events. The Steward, Ride Manager and fellow EDRA members are expected to support other riders in exhibiting these qualities. As a guide, please see Discipline Matrix, Appendix  F 

28. EDRA Conflict Resolution procedures are based on the founding principle that conflicts are best dealt with in a constructive, direct manner. In the event of a conflict, aggrieved parties must make every effort to achieve resolution with one another. If no resolution is reached after initial conversations between the two parties, the following procedures shall be initiated:

    a.   The principle parties (those directly involved) shall meet with the Ride Manager and Steward (appointed by the BOD for each EDRA ride) and attempt to resolve the issue at the ride. If one party refuses to meet, they will be banned from attending or participating in an EDRA event for six-months.   If the conflict emerges after the ride, the principle party shall contact the Steward appointed to that ride within seven days to schedule a meeting for conflict resolution. The Steward will contact involved parties to set up a meeting for resolution. Again, refusal to attend will result in a six-month suspension.

    b.  If no resolution is reached, principle parties may file their complaint with the Conflict Resolution committee. The Conflict Resolution committee will consider the complaint and the response and determine culpability and consequences. Filing a complaint with the Conflict Resolution committee must be accompanied by a $100 filing fee which will be reimbursed if the principle party’s complaint is upheld.

    c.   Principle parties must initiate a solution through the Conflict Resolution committee within 14 days of the meeting with the Steward.