Long Distance Driving
Introductory Advice to Organisers

1. A BDS member intending to run a Long Distance Drive needs to form a team of helpers.

1. They don’t need to be horsey – actively interested is enough.
2. Someone who can offer a level, traffic free site to hold the event.
3. Good map readers who don’t mind the arduous business of marking courses correctly, with the help of a driving whip/groom/BDS member. Driving knowledge can make all the difference between a possible course and an impossible one.
4. Very important: Someone who can count and can measure the Course as accurately as possible. Errors on distance measurement will cause legitimate dispute amongst participants/officials.
5. Time keeper/scorer.
6. Secretary/treasurer.

2. Additional help on the day.

a) One vet is sufficient for up to 12 entries. In excess of 12 entries, a second Vet may be needed in order to avoid delays in fitness assessment of ponies/horses. This may be a matter of negotiation with your vet.

N.B. Unless you have a friendly vet who will make his own financial arrangements with the organiser, costs can be expensive. Most competitions take at least 8 hours to complete at Bronze Level.

Vets need to be briefed on exactly what is required for the competition. Guide sheets for vets are supplied by the BDS. They should be sent to your vet, in advance of the competition, and be available on the day for both Vet and Writer.

b) HARNESS and SAFETY inspection is essential. Some entries are unaware of problems with their turnout.

Providing they follow the inspectors’ advice, they are not penalised and are allowed to continue in the event.

c) FARRIER inspection is advised. Negotiate co-operation with the vet. Some events have failed to find a farrier, or been let down. In which case the vet has been prepared to take on this task. It is a good idea to ask your vet in advance – he may recommend a student/farrier or vet. assistant. The vet has the final decision in every case on whether the horse/pony is fit to continue.

d) STARTERS/Timekeepers.

e) RADIO contact stewards on course are essential unless there are other contact arrangements made. Accidents happen in the best regulated circles.

f) DON’T ignore FIRST AID cover. It is vital for both humane purposes and insurance claims (St.Johns/Red Cross).

ALL OFFICIALS need ONE writer or assistant/’goffer’ on the day.

INSURANCE cover is important to protect participants, officials, helpers, landowners and tenants.

THE COURSE must be planned with the safety and well being of horses and ponies in mind. Unnecessary stress caused by excessively steep terrain/very deep sandy, heavily flinted or muddy going, should be avoided.

This event is a test of fitness. Not overall strength.

BDS advise against more than 10 miles public roadwork overall. TWO loops with half way halt in the middle (start site) is common and convenient practice. ONE loop with a half way halt at a level site (with water available on the course) is sometimes preferable and needs a vet in attendance with the writer, a timekeeper and assistant.

The ONE loop course means that the horse/pony does not ‘switch off’ and think it has finished its work for the day, and thereby run down its adrenaline. Horses/ponies often take a while to re-generate effort for a SECOND loop.

IMPORTANT

Entry fee – Experience has proved that the event cannot be run at less than £20 per entry. Sponsorship is a bonus for an enjoyable event, which is hard pressed to cover expenses without making entry fees extortionate.

Seek permission for all use of private land. Notify residents on narrow roads or tracks of times when turnouts will be passing. This avoids annoyance/hindrance from parked vehicles.

Notify the police of the event and provide a map of the course at least three weeks prior to the event. You might need their help and co-operation, particularly where the use of public highways are involved.

A list of B & B for members and their turnouts is a bonus for potential participants.

Catering Van or other refreshment facilities encourages the goodwill of all voluntary assistance and entries on the day. There are periods of waiting and inactivity between ‘ Rushes’ of activity.

Encourage everyone to take his or her litter home.

Don’t forget to thank your helpers (they are your lifeblood) and all co-operative landowners/tenants/public.

These guidelines are built on experience from organisers of LDD events. Members will find that LDD generates goodwill and interest locally amongst non-horsey people as well as BDS members. Interested spectators often provide a source of voluntary help.

Experience leads the LDD committee to improve rules to safeguard the welfare of the horses/ponies taking part, which is their primary aim.

Organisers – Don’t have sleepless nights. We find that the fun and goodwill on the day is paramount and worth all the effort.

Long Distance Driving is a measure of the skill of owners bringing their horses/ponies to a correct degree of health and fitness for the course.

They compete against themselves and their past performance, not against each other. Every participant has an equal chance to succeed in each event.