Team Spirit

24 May 2009

Entry form

also available as a PDF file

Team Spirit briefing 7:30 Saturday 23 May

This is an exciting and innovative concept, originally thought up by Thay Stephenson and Sue Broughton and it was first run annually at the Spirit Of Sherwood. When SOS was no longer Thay took the event and its name to the Lindum Spirit. In its past it was originally an EHPS Group challenge competition and up to 28 teams have taken part. It has even been televised and was a Channel 4 30 minute programme, very exciting to see people you know on the TV. The event has evolved and one year at the Lindum, one of our 2002 WEG riders, Beccy Broughton rode the whole 160kms on her team of four horses. This was an amazing fete as it meant Beccy only rested for about 6 minutes prior to the next horse continuing out on course. A team of supporters ensured horses were vetted and warmed up ready to run! Beccy took each horse to the vet, once passed grabbed a drink and an energy bar and jumped on the next horse and away. Not only did she successfully complete the competition with all four horses and passed sound, but she won!

The ability to work as a team is paramount in the success of this ride. It was originally suggested to try to get riders to have a go at “racing” in a controlled environment over a shorter distance, with an upper speed limit. It is tactical and needs team players on the ground as well as the riders. The relay can be won or lost on one horses presentation time.

This year we are running the Team Spirit again at Dukeries, returning the competition to its Sherwood Forest roots. This is not replacing the Lindum Spirit but running as well as it. Last year there were not enough entries to run the event, but this year I hope there will be more entries. The route is forest tracks and estate tracks with no gates and very little roadwork ensuring a good pace.

It can be an exhilarating and exciting relay race, both to take part in and watch. Have a go – put together your own team of horses and riders, any combination is accepted as long as there are four horses in each team and the horses run at their allowed ability level. Create a title for your team and it can have its own team colours. Maybe you could even find a sponsor – one year there was a Hilton Herbs Team at SOS.

So get your thinking caps on and organise yourselves in to a team and have a try at the Team Spirit.

Entry form

also available as a PDF file

 

Rules

  1. Teams of four horses and up to 4 rider(s) to compete, each riding 40km, ridden as a relay event.
  2. First team horse to be vetted from 4.00p.m.Saturday 24 th May. Should nominated first horse fail initial vetting; it is permissible to substitute for an alternative horse. Should no substitute be available slowest speed will be allocated. Subsequent team horses failing initial vetting will be allocated slowest speed, i.e. no further post vet substitution allowed.
  3. Horses (Open/Advanced) to complete course at between 10-18 kph. Above or below these speeds will constitute a fail and result in slowest speed allocation.
  4. Novice horse may take part but must complete the course within novice speed parameters (8-15kph)
  5. Post-ride vetting will involve a Cardiac Recovery Index test, with a pulse parameter of 64, up to 30 minutes after completion of relay stage.
  6. Once horse has presented to vet subsequent horse will enter timed hold box (10 minutes) before commencing its leg of the relay. These hold times will be subtracted from team's total overall elapsed ride time.
  7. Should horse fail vetting, slowest time will be allocated, subsequent horse will start from hold box 10 minutes after fail.
  8. Horses may present to vetting as soon as they can post relay stage but must present within 30 minutes.
  9. Subsequent horses can present for pre ride vet at any time after previous team horse has started course.
  10. Winners will be team with shortest total elapsed time with most horses. I.E. four horses will always beat three horses even if total elapsed time including penalty slowest speed for failed horse is quicker.
  11. Team managers +at least one team member to attend the ride briefing, Friday 25 th May, at 7.00 p.m. (Venue to be announced)
  12. Order of running and team specifics to be declared in writing at this meeting.
  13. Teams need not be geographically/branch defined.
  14. Late Team entries may be considered.
  15. All participating teams will receive presentation rosettes regardless of result.
  16. Presentation of awards will be Sunday 25th May (time to be announced).

There are some minor rule changes this year in line with amended EGB ride rules but the competition will still be easy to follow and great fun to take part in.

We are very pleased that novices will now be awarded 50 trophy points for a completion in this event. Open and Advanced level horses will continue to receive 100 points for a successful completion.