Equestrian Competition (*qualifying event)

Dates: Saturday 29 July 2023

Time: 10am to 1pm

Location: Herdsman Park, Pony Club

Cost: $20 (+ booking fee)

Coordinator: Jacqui Moon (0414 124 352 or wa.equestrian@specialolympics.com.au)

Competition details:

Special Olympics local competitions are for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, who wish to compete against other athletes in their chosen sport, and qualify for Special Olympics' state and national competitions. They include:

- A high-quality competition, with multiple divisions for beginner, intermediate and advanced players

- Qualified officials and game support officers

- Award presentation, with prizes and certificates

- Performance results and feedback

- Unified events (where athletes with and without intellectual disabilities play together)

Competition rules:

Definitions:

- Support (S)—Rider needs the physical support of one or two side walkers and/or the presence of a leader. Any help in the arena is considered “supported.”

- Independent (I)—Independent riders may not be helped while competing.

For the competition, athletes must select the one level of competition. The levels include:

A Level: Walk,Trot,Canter.

AI – Independent only, is expected to compete with no modifications to NGB rules.
Can perform any class requirements

B Level: Walk & Trot

BI—Independent,can perform any class requirements.

BS—Supported, can physically perform any class requirements.

C Level: Riders will ride at the walk only.

CI—Independent rider, no help provided while competing.

CS—Supported, can physically perform any class requirements.

The competition will include a range of events. Athletes can choose to compete in 1 or more of the following events:

1. English Equitation (AI, BI, BS, CI, CS) OR 1A English Equitation Virtual(AI, BI,BS,CI, CS)

2. Dressage (AI, BI, BS, CI, CS) OR 2A Dressage Virtual (AI, BI,BS,CI, CS)

Dressage Level A – Test 1 (walk-trot-canter) - Novice canter riders

Dressage Level B1 - Test 1 (walk-trot) - riders who walk & trot only

Dressage Level C1 - Test 1 (walk) – for walk riders and those not ready to trot in a competition.

3. Trail (Additional) - (AI, BI, BS, CI, CS)

4. Barrel Race (Additional) - (AI, BI, BS, CI, CS & time permitting)

Important notes

- Athletes can choose to compete in the additional events but for qualification for State Games only English Equitation and Dressage are compulsory.

- Athletes are encouraged to attend the event on the day but also have the option of qualifying for the State Games by competing in the Virtual English Equitation(1A) and the Virtual Dressage (2A) events. Links of recordings of these events are to be submitted by 4pm on Saturday 29 July. Further information will be provided in the information pack sent out after registrations have been received.

- Athletes attending on the day can bring their own horse or can bring a horse from their training facility with support of the training facility. Any horse hire financial arrangements are between the athlete and the training facility/club.

- Information on the Working Trail Course wand the English Equitation workout will be sent out to athletes with the information pack in the week leading up to the event, once registrations have been received.

- Equipment: Athletes need to bring:

All competitors may wear their WA SO uniform or Club uniform with fawn/white jodhpurs

Enclosed shoes / boots must be worn

Approved Safety Helmets must be worn

- For information on the Special Olympics events and tests please refer to Special Olympic Equestrian Rules here.

Who can get involved?

- Athletes who are registered as 2023 Special Olympics members

- Athletes who train at an existing equestrian club or program

- Athletes who want to become eligible to compete in upcoming Special Olympics state and national competitions, including our upcoming 2023 State Games.

How to register:

To compete in the competition, athletes must register online via this page by Wednesday 19 July.

Before the day, all registered athletes will receive an information pack with further information on the event.

Need support? Please contact Special Olympics WA at info.wa@specialolympics.com.au.