Chase me Charlie - rules?

[atrinder]

Hello forumers,

Does anyone know of a source of formal rules for a 'Chase Me Charlie'? I realise that may be a contradiction in terms as it is a fun gymkhana game but for ease of explanation I am searching for a simple laid out instruction. Or in the absence of this, what would you say the rules are?

Start off with pole on the floor, build up, instant knock out for pole down, or give them a chance? Refusal or fall results in out? Set a height limit from the start? Give them an opt out, or maybe opt to come in at a certain level?

Any help much appreciated.

Mister33

 

[jumpthemoon]

The way I've always done it is...

start with pole on floor and all start together.
run out/refusal/ knock down/ fall off = out
No height limit - although it can work well with a height limit
Riders can retire if it gets too high for them
no opt in - it wouldn't be fair on the more tired horses/riders

 

[kerilli]

anyone can opt out at any time. any problem (refusal, knock-down, fall) = elimination. start at about 6" high iirc. everyone has to start at the beginning, no opting in later.
quite fun actually, last time i did one i was about 12 and my 12.2, the pony from hell who would jump anything at home but nothing at shows, excelled himself and jumped 3'6" to come 3rd!
of course, the stories of illicit "midnight chase-me-charlies" at the big events are great fun...

 

[buzzles]

We call it High Jump when we do it at Pony Club or to make the kids feel professional, the Puissance! I do it with my ride at camp and to make it more difficult I balance a whip on the pole and if they knock the whip off they're out. Usually start with 60cm and then go up in 5cms, if they knock the whip/pole they're out and if they refuse/run out/fall off they're out. The whip means it doesn't get too massive.

 

[Gorgeous George]

Oh I remember doing chase me charlie when I was a kid and I was brave, we used to start with a pole on the ground and a knock down, runout, refusal etc. meant you were out, anyone could opt out at any time. I remember once doing it making the jump wider instead of higher, think the jump was 2ft high and then it just kept getting wider, I remember because it was the only time I won and ironically I was riding a very speedy little bay pony rather ironically called George (charlie76 probably remembers him!).

 

[kerilli]

that's a really good idea!

 

[JustKickOn]

Start with a tiny cross pole and make the cross bigger until it gets to about 2foot, then it moves to a straight and it goes up 2 holes each time. You get 1 run out and 1 refusal but if the pole falls off then you're out.

Usually at the riding school if it's only a small group then if somebody knocks a jump down then they can just carry on

 

[atrinder]

brilliant tip, thanks