POLICIES OF THE EARL MARSHAL OF ÆTHELMEARC 

POLICIES FOR EQUESTRIAN ACTIVITIES

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1. THESE POLICIES ARE IN ADDITION TO SOCIETY LAW AND POLICY.  IN THE CASE OF ANY DISCERPANCY, SOCIETY POLICY TAKES PRECEDENCE.
2. Equestrian Program
   1. Equestrian Marshals
      1. General Requirements

         1. "Showmanship” in Æthelmearc is defined as follows: the individual, while engaged in equestrian activities, should behave in a visibly chivalrous manner and appear appropriate to Æthelmearc’s equestrian culture.

3. Equestrian Authorizations
   1. The Equestrian Marshal in Charge must approve all persons who serve as Ring Stewards during an EQ event or practice but No authorization is required.
   2. Ground crew must wear closed toe shoes, demonstrate safe handling of equipment and weapons (including the correct way to hand equipment to a mounted rider), and demonstrate an ability to maneuver safely around horses.
   3. Authorization Types
      1. General Riding
         1. The procedure for demonstrating the requirements for a riding authorization shall be determined by the authorizing marshal.
         2. An example procedure may be found in the AEthelmearc Equestrian Handbook (available online)
      2. Mounted Games
         1. The procedure for demonstrating the requirements for a mounted game or “martial” authorization shall be determined by the authorizing marshal.
         2. An example procedure may be found in the AEthelmearc Equestrian Handbook (available online)
      3. Mounted Martial Activities
         1. Æthelmearc requires special authorizations for contact activities such as crest combat, mounted combat, and jousting.
         2. Special authorizations are also required for driving, mounted archery, and bareback.
         3. A participant must be at least 18 years of age in order to participate or authorize in Mounted Marshal Activities.

4. Authorization Term
   1. Æthelmearc authorizations are valid for 4 years from the date of authorization.
   2. Increasing a level (from General Rider to Mounted Games, for example) counts as a new authorization and resets the 4 years.

4. Event Requirements
   1. Equestrian Marshal in Charge
      1. Prior to Event
         1. The Equestrian Marshal in Charge is additionally responsible for:
            1. Determining if any special rules or restrictions concerning equestrians will be required for this event and making said special restrictions known to potential participants either by inclusion in the event announcement, public post to the kingdom equestrian mailing list, or individual communication.  Such rules or restrictions may concern site-specific matters such as stabling, manure disposal, trailer parking or camping areas or event-specific matters such as weapons requirements or restrictions, skill requirements or any other matters concerning the care of equines at the event or participation in the scheduled activities.
            2. Locating a veterinarian who services the area containing the event and making their contact information available to those persons bringing horses to the event. Contact information must be made available in writing at the event either by posting the information or distributing individual documents.
            3. Publishing in advance the documentation requirements for the event, including those required by the state or the site owner (i.e. Coggins, health certificate, rabies certificate, whether stallions are permitted, etc.)
      2. Day of Event
         1. Documents
            1. Equestrian waivers shall be signed by all event attendees at the gate. In the case of a large public demo (e.g., a parade that is also covered by outside, non-SCA insurance) only the members of the SCA participating in the parade must sign waivers. Any attendee refusing to sign will be denied entry to the site. Responsibility for collecting signatures may be delegated to the gate staff upon approval of the autocrat.
            2. Minor waivers must be completed and signed according to the SEO’s instructions.
            3. Required documentation for equestrians includes an emergency instructions document executed for every horse. Multiple horses under the care of single person may be covered by a single document. A template for emergency instructions may be found on the Æthelmearc Equestrian Web page.
   2. Rider Responsibility
      1. Participation
         1. Equine Safety
            1. Said steps include, but are not limited to, the following.
            2. Clearly marking potentially dangerous horses in the following manner:
               • Biters: A red ribbon attached to the headstall.
               • Kickers: A red ribbon attached to the tail.
               • Stallions: A red ribbon attached to both sides of the withers.
            3. Providing a safe and secure method of restraining and supervising a horse when it is not being ridden.
            4. Providing food, water, and care for the horse according to generally accepted horse-keeping, training and veterinary practices.
            5. Providing the Equestrian Marshal in Charge with written instructions as to the care of the horse in the event the responsible person becomes incapacitated or unavailable. The emergency instruction document referenced above, Section IV.A.2.a.iii, is considered adequate written instructions.

5. Equipment Standards
   1. Armor Requirements
      1. Hands
         1. Heavy mounted combat – same requirements as for Heavy fighter combat - see the Society Marshal Handbook.
      2. Shields
      1. Shields shall be constructed as per Society Heavy combat rules, see Society Marshal Handbook.
   2. Weapon Requirements
      1. Quintain {hard contact} lances
         1. May be up to twelve feet in length, with an eight-foot minimum in length for adults and six feet minimum for minors.
         2. Lances must be constructed of hardwood or fiberglass.
         3. If made from wood, the lances may be painted but the grain must be visible.
         4. Two thirds of the lance length must be held in front of equestrian, and this length must be clearly marked on the lance.
         5. Quintain lance tips may be made out of metal, rubber, or hard plastic. Lances must have an appropriate tip. If the tip is made of metal, the edges must be blunt.
      2. Ring {non-contact} spears
      1. May be up to twelve feet in length, with an eight-foot minimum in length for adults and six feet minimum for minors.
      2. Lances may be constructed of wood, fiberglass, or bamboo.
      3. Two thirds of the lance length must be held in front of equestrian, and this length must be clearly marked on the lance.
      4. All tips must be blunt-faced with a minimum of a half-inch width.
      3. Spears and Javelins {throwing and sticking}
      1. Must be made of fiberglass or hardwood.
      2. If painted wood, the grain must be visible.
      3. If metal, must have a protective cover for transport.
      4. Bows
      1. Crossbows are not permitted.

Appendix A- Insurance Ordering Instructions:

1. When members of the Society attend public demonstrations (e.g., parades or mundanely sponsored demonstrations) to which they as members of the Society bring equines, Society equestrian insurance must be obtained even if the demonstration is also covered by outside insurance.

2. Unofficial equestrian practices do not require activating insurance, but the site owner must be made aware that there is no insurance.