School Rules

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neigh

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I thought everyone knew that you should always pass left to left when schooling. But I went to a dressage competition at the weekend and it was amazing the people who didnt! Do you think this was because it was unnafilliated or does it happen at all levels?
 
Unfortunately this happens right across the board and it's something that angers me immensely. It's not hard is it?! I also had the joy (?!) of someone skimming right past me at my last dressage. I confonted her about it and she was so sweet and apologetic I put it down to a geniune mistake but later, the bitch did it again... I have no patience for this kind of behaviour. A little common courtesy goes a long way. I will stop anyone that's acting inappropriately and, yes, sometimes they are geniune mistakes but if they're not, I think we need to start reprimanding these people.

(I'm sure it's only a matter of time til I get beaten up!!)
 
I never have the guts to say anything to these people, but it drives me mad! Do you think its because they cant tell their right from their left?!?
 
I think it's because they're arseholes who think everyone should get out of THEIR way! Honestly, I really think we should encourage people to say something. You don't have to be rude/agressive about it but a simple "left on left" is better than nothing.

I don't think we can expect the situation to get any better if no one says anything.
 
I agree left to left is correct. BUT I heard that when warming up for dressage if you are at walk you can walk on the inner track.
 
a lot of people will walk on the inner track, and tbh that annoys me. I've often found myself stuck going around the track as I can't circle because of people walking. if they were on the track it is easier to pass them on the inside. has anybody else found this? or is it just me that gets hemmed "out"?
 
I think it is because people just don't know the rules! A simple sign outside of warming up arenas etc detailing the rules to be used in the school might help a bit!
It only needs to be a few bullet points such as left to left,
faster pace has priority on the outside track etc
 
don't mean to rock the boat and i'm not entirely sure, but doesn't lateral work take preferance over left to left when warming up for dressage?

as well as the usual rules of slwer paces on the inner track etc?
 
[ QUOTE ]
don't mean to rock the boat and i'm not entirely sure, but doesn't lateral work take preferance over left to left when warming up for dressage?

as well as the usual rules of slwer paces on the inner track etc?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, I think it does. But there was not any lateral work happening where I was. Which is why I wondered if this happens at other competitions. I have never been to an affilliated dressage competition, so would be great to hear any experiences good/bad.
 
I think its something you learn at riding schools and 'proper' yards, ive never heard it at any of the yards im at now but did learn it at a riding school.
 
I particularly enjoy it when people walk two abreast, one on the outside track, one on the inside track, nattering, ignoring everyone else&going the wrong way. That's a joy.
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[ QUOTE ]
I think it is because people just don't know the rules! A simple sign outside of warming up arenas etc detailing the rules to be used in the school might help a bit!
It only needs to be a few bullet points such as left to left,
faster pace has priority on the outside track etc

[/ QUOTE ]

I think thats a good idea! Then theres no excuse for people not to know.
 
Or when your OH gets that focussed on what he's doing an air raid siren could go off and he cuts you up when you've got the best canter half pass you've ever had
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Oh the wandering round the edge chatting really drives me mad - used to happen loads where I used to livery - arena was only 22x45 and when 6 liveries were in there and 2 pairs were wandering and walking ,..........
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Sorry but this is one of my biggest bugbears.
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BD rules state that you SHOULD walk on the inner track.

It drives me mad when I just get my horse going nicely forward and some numpty is walking on the track in front of me.
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If someone is walking on the trackwhere you are about to circle, just wait and circle further along.

The rules say left to left except for when someone is in counter canter but there also seems to be an unwritten rule to include lateral work.
 
I agree with happy_talk, hate it when people walk on the inner track. There's never really enough room against the wall to undertake comfortably, it often unsettles both horses and then often you meet someone coming the other way who then doesn't know where to go. Easier if people just walk around right at the edge then faster paces can pass giving plenty of room. I wish they'd make this a proper rule, most of us who walk around the edge do it because it works better, not just to be awkward.
 
Taking the inner track when in walk is correct, outside track is for those going faster. The problem seems to be that people don't know where the inner track is! They should be a good 2m off the outer track. What really gets me is when I am on the left rein and meet someone coming the other way (passing left to left) and they squish me into the fence/wall. I regularly fail people in their mock exams for not knowing arena rules!
 
[ QUOTE ]
What really gets me is when I am on the left rein and meet someone coming the other way (passing left to left) and they squish me into the fence/wall. I regularly fail people in their mock exams for not knowing arena rules!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats what I hate too, especially when riding a young horse and people dont give you enough space.
 
" Before entering an arena riders must knock and gain permission to enter.
" When entering an arena riders should announce their presence perhaps by calling 'Door', to alert other riders of their entrance.
" Riders should line their horses up in the centre of the arena when mounting and each horse should be kept a safe distance apart to prevent the horses from fighting with each other and well in from the outside track.
" When moving off, riders should check that the way ahead is clear and should have a basic plan of where they are going next.
" When working around the arena, riders should pass left hand to left hand. This means that riders working on the right rein (with their right hand nearest to the center of the school) should give way to those riders working on the left rein. To do this they should move on to the inside track and away from the wall.
" No rider should halt on the track as a rider approaching from behind may not be able to stop in time. The exception to this is if you are instructed to.
" Riders should halt in a safe place in the center of the arena and should always check that no-one is behind them before they do so.
" Riders should not walk on the track if others are moving at faster paces. The riders in the faster paces have right of way on the track.
" Advanced and more competent riders should always give way to the less advanced riders. Less advanced riders may not be in full control and may be unable to move their horse out of the way. Advanced riders only have right of way when performing lateral movements and they should be allowed to finish their movement. However, common sense should prevail at all times and the advanced rider should give way if a dangerous situation needs to be avoided.
" Riders should at all times be aware of the other horses and riders in the arena and should be looking where they are going so they are less likely to collide.
" Riders should indicate their moves correctly and not make sudden or unpredictable changes to their initial plan. Should they make a sudden or unexpected turn, other riders cannot predict where they are going.
" Riders should at all times behave sensibly and proceed with caution.
" When a number of people are jumping practice fences they must establish the direction in which it/they are to be jumped. Look for red or white markers and jump only with the red on the right.

S
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well people at my yard always break this rule, and it angers me. however, if they keep cutting me up by pushing me off the track, so if they force me off the track and then expect me to move out of their way when they want to jump etc then tough!

It ends up with us all on the same rein cause we just get in a pickle, but the odd person likes to be difficult.
 
my pet hate is people who park their horse across the track while chatting to their Mum / friend who is outside the arena!

Oh and peoples' trainers who start conducting a riding lesson in the warm up arena and expect everyone else to get out of the way.
 
Rules are important, but I think that the problem stems from people's general lack of awareness. I know of all the rules, but I sometimes have difficultly in applying them when others are not thinking ahead... one thing in particular: when I'm an a warm up arena (not so much for dressage but particularly for jumping at local events in a small arena) and I'm, say, trotting round slowly on the left... Then there's some some wizzy pony carrerring round the corner towards towards me on the right rein.
Now, officially in this situation I'm supposed to make way for the other horse and pull into the inside (pass left to left), but how can I when I simply don't have the time to react?
Does anyone else find this a problem and, if so, how do they act?
 
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