Monday, August 8, 2011

Spurs

The key point with spurs is that abuse from or improper use of them is always illegal. There are no guidelines for size or shape in the Equine Canada rulebook for hunters or jumpers, nor am I aware of any such guidelines in the USEF rule books, either. If you are unsure whether a potential spur might fall into the abusive category, it would be wise not to use it.

You can be sure that bloodied sides will indicate to the steward that abuse from spurs has occurred, but warnings or more can also be given for less explicit abuse.

The only other rule that I am aware of in the US and Canada regarding spurs is that rowelled spurs are not permitted in Canadian equitation classes (I have not found such a rule in the USEF rule book). The usual definition of a rowel is a spur ending in a rotating toothed wheel. Some riders will also call a smooth rotating disc a rowel; I do not know if a smooth disc is considered a rowel for the purposes of equitation classes.

Here is the Equine Canada rule regarding spurs in equitation classes:

CHAPTER 10
EQUITATION RULES

ARTICLE G1005 TACK AND EQUIPMENT
1. Only regular cavessons with snaffles, pelhams, double bridles or kimberwicks are permissible. Pelham converters allowed only in Junior "B" and "C" classes. Reins must be made entirely of leather. Spurs of the unrowelled type, whip optional. No whip may exceed 75 cm (30") in length.


2 comments:

  1. Hi, i was wondering if you could do a post on USEF memberships. I get so confused by all of the different memberships that you need, it would be great to get a guide

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  2. Hi Knight!
    Unfortunately for you I'm up in Canada, so I'm not all that familiar with USEF memberships. Memberships are also a pretty difficult subject to cover globally since the list of which you need tends to vary from province/state to province/state (in addition to varying depending on the level of the shows as well).

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