ARTICLE 7- GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS

1. Impact resistant protective headgear, with harness secured and properly fitted, must be worn during all OCTRA sanctioned events while riding anywhere on the competition grounds and/or trail.

2. All officials and competitors are responsible for knowing OCTRA rules and any additional rules set by management.

3. Any type of corrective shoeing, pads and Easi-boots are permitted. Riders using Easi-boots may be required to removed them for examination of the foot

4. Unshod horses may be entered, but can be disallowed or disqualified at the discretion of the judges.

5. No liniments, salves, salt packs, drugs of other medication of any kind may be used except under the direction and advice of the Head Vet. Any such treatment must be marked on the horse’s score card and MAY result in disqualification at the discretion of the veterinary judges. The administration of any internal drug or fluids shall automatically disqualify an entry.

6. Horses may be subject to saliva, blood or urine tests to determine the use of drugs such as stimulants, depressants and pain relievers. Management has the right to test at any time.

7. The decisions of the judges and/or ride management are final.

8. Curry combs, brushes and other grooming equipment may be used at any time.

9. Horses may be fed and watered only with normal grain mixtures, hay, water, vitamins, minerals and salts, including electrolytes.

10. Riders are responsible for presenting themselves on time at the start and for all veterinary checks. All equine entrants in any type of OCTRA sanctioned event must be presented for pre-ride examination, any mid-ride checks and any post-ride examinations as set out by the ride management. The horse must be judged "fit to continue" by the attending judge/s before continuing on trail, or receiving a completion. The decision of the Head Vet will be final.

11. A red ribbon must be worn in the tail of a horse that is likely to kick.

12. A yellow ribbon must be worn on the tail of a stallion

13. Assigned numbers must be visibly worn by contestants at all times beginning with the pre-ride examination and until after the final check of the day.

14. Unruly or bad behaviour on the part of a horse or rider will lead to disqualification.

15. Riders shall give way to another horse and rider on the trail when requested to do so.

16. Any abuse of a competing horse will not be tolerated and may lead to disqualification.

17. If a horse is judged to be too tired, lame or otherwise unfit to continue, by the veterinary judges, the ride management will trailer the horse back to the starting point. Any rider attempting to continue will be disqualified and suspended from participating in any further OCTRA sanctioned rides. The length of the suspension shall be determined by the Board of Directors and must be determined within three months from the date of the infraction. The rider shall be notified in writing of the Board's decision.

18. All entrants must complete the trail as laid out by ride management. If an entrant leaves the trail for any reason, he must return to where he exited and continue from that point. Failure may result in disqualification. All posted or verbal instructions from any of the ride officials concerning the pace to be maintained over any part of the trail must be obeyed by all riders.

19. Bad language or excessive drinking will not be tolerated.

20. All officials and riders shall smoke only in open or hazard free areas.

21. If dogs must be brought to a ride, they must be kept restrained at all times.

22. In compliance with the Highway Traffic Act, we ask that all riders and horses stay on the right hand side when travelling on roadways, and that runners remain on the left (facing oncoming traffic).

23. If there is the slightest doubt about an equine’s fitness to continue and is allowed to continue both the score card and the horse must be clearly identified in some way (see also in Endurance rules)

24. Any horse that has been pulled from a ride for any reason must not be removed from the grounds until it has been checked by the ride veterinarian