NEWS, RULE CHANGES & POLICIES FOR 2011

NEW FOR FALL 2011!  GRASSHOPPER DIVISION
This is for those riders who don't feel ready to go cross county yet, with only two phases, dressage (walk-trot) and stadium jumping at a maximum of 2'0" cross-rails.  Perfect for the younger rider who wants to go with her/his older friends, or anyone just starting out or with a brand new/young horse.

NEW FOR 2011!  VOLUNTEER ENTRY DISCOUNT CARDS
Save at any WNRDC event by volunteering at any activity!  You do not have to be a member to qualify.  Click here for all the details.

NEW DRESSAGE TESTS FOR 2011!
The USDF has a new test for Introductory Test B for 2011.  We use this test for our Grasshopper and Elementary divisions.

NEW HELMET RULES
All riders must wear ASTM approved helmets while riding.  This means a helmet with a safety harness.

AIR BAG POLICY
All our riders are required to wear safety vests while jumping cross country.  The new airbag vests may be worn over a safety vest if desired but are not intended to be worn alone.

TEAM PIPESTAVE
The Management Team had a great first year last year and everyone is back again! We welcome everyone and look forward to a great year.

EVENT CO-ORDINATORS
Kathryn West-McLeod and Melissa Maina have joint duties, with Kathryn handling the pre-event planning, hiring and paperwork and Melissa as Event Secretary and Chief Scorer.

CROSS COUNTRY CREW
Sarah Robinson from W. Newbury, MA with Linda Adler from Hampton Falls, NH and the Pentucket Pony Club will be reprising their roles again for a second year, creating creative courses and maintaining the jumps with the help of our Jump Adopters.  Denise Atherton of W. Newbury, MA is the Fence Judge Wrangler on the day of the event.

ADOPT-A-JUMP CO-ORDINATOR
Working with the Cross Country Crew is Kathy Feehery of W. Newbury, MA (and the WNRDC President) is co-ordinating this in addition to her other volunteer assistance with the event. She will be the go-to person if you would like to adopt a jump and will give adopters guidance on how to best maintain and decorate their fence. Click here for more information about the Adopt-A-Jump program.

STADIUM JUMPING CREW
Our Team of Kathryn West-McLeod and Kathy Feehery, both of W. Newbury, MA, certainly proved themselves again last year, with beautifully decorated and appropriately challenging courses. We are so pleased they are returning for a sixth year, in addition to all their other duties!

DRESSAGE RING SET-UP QUEEN
Felicity Beech, of W. Newbury, MA, (and the WNRDC Vice-President) has graciously agreed to take on this position which happens on Saturday before each event. The Queen will make sure all the dressage rings get set up and assist setting up the secretary's tent, etc. It's one of those important behind-the scenes jobs that people don't even realize is needed!

DAY OF EVENT MANAGEMENT
Jessie Tonry has grown up at the Pipestave Hill Horse Trials, and we are pleased she has joined us as the next generation to make sure the day of event details are handled smoothly.

VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATORS
Kathryn West-McLeod and Sophiea Bitel work together to recruit and support those all-important volunteers.  The events simply could not run without volunteers.  Please contact either of them if you would like to volunteer in any capacity.

YEAR-END AWARDS ADMINISTRATOR
Our previous Awards Administrator, Verne Sullivan, has moved to Pennsylvania.  We wish her the best and know that she will be an asset to the Pony Club and horse organizations there.  We are looking for a new Administrator.  This job does not require experience and does not take a lot of time.  Interested?  Please contact Kathryn West-McLeod.  The Awards Administrator makes sure the points are properly calculated, so riders can get their well-deserved championship ribbons, photos and picture frames.

ELIMINATION RULES
We follow USEA (United States Eventing Association) rules for our events even though we are unrecognized. Be sure to read "How To Avoid Elimination at Our Horse Trials" for more information.

ENTRY FORMS
Because of the increased cost of postage, entry forms are no longer being mailed unless you request them. All our information and forms are available here at this website.

AFFILIATION FOR YEAR END AWARDS
We are pleased to announce that we are including the ABC/BTA Benefit Horse Trials in Boxford, MA for Year-End Awards. It will be held in October 23, 2011 and will offer the same divisions as the Pipestave Series, plus their other divisions.

WEB POSTING OF RIDE TIMES
Ride times will generally be posted on the Monday before each event. We will no longer be mailing ride times. These lists will only be posted once and will not reflect later changes due to scratches, which we will handle by telephone.

CANCELLATION REFUNDS
To keep our events financially viable, if an event needs to be canceled because of weather and/or footing issues, instead of a full refund, we will issue each rider a credit for half the cost which will be usable any time and will be transferable to any other person. We thank you in advance for your understanding and think sunny!

RIDER WARDROBE OPTIONS
DRESSAGE:  Appropriate attire is a dark ASTM approved helmet with a safety harness, a dark riding coat, white shirt with stock tie or choker, light colored or white breeches, gloves (usually black but white is allowed) and black tall boots.  USEA rules, which we follow, now allows riders to wear leather leggings in all three phases. This does not mean suede half chaps but smooth leather leggings with leather paddock boots. Jackets may be waived by management if the weather warrants.

CROSS COUNTRY:  Dressage attire without jacket is fine, or rider may wear a collared polo shirt (no sleeveless shirts, T-shirts or tank tops).  ASTM helmets, safety vests and medical armbands are required.

STADIUM JUMPING:  Pipestave policy is that jackets are always waived for stadium jumping, so riders do not need to change wardrobe between the last two phases. Correct attire from the waist up is an ASTM helmet, and a short or longsleeve shirt with collar (no sleeveless shirts, T-shirts or tank tops). Protective vests may be worn if desired and armbands are required.

PROTECTIVE VESTS
Riders are now required to wear a body protecting vest when schooling for and riding the cross-country phase. It is optional to wear it during the stadium phase of the event.

IDENTIFICATION ARMBANDS
A completed identification armband is now required to be worn when jumping at the events. USEA sells armbands for $10 (website: eventingusa.com, then go to USEA Store) or you can make your own by completing an identification form, putting it in a plastic bag and securing it to your arm with tape. Armbands are to be worn around the upper part of the arm and must be on top of any articles of clothing.  Armbands must be worn for both Cross Country and Stadium Jumping phases.

The Identification Form can be downloaded here using Adobe Acrobat. Click here then print the form.

WHIPS
Whips not exceeding 43" including lash may now be used for the dressage phase and crops may be used for the cross-country and/or stadium phases.  Please read "How to Avoid Elimination at our Horse Trials" for more information on the correct use.

SCHOOLING POLICY
If you are found schooling on the course when it is closed (signs are posted at the top and bottom of the fields), you will not be allowed to enter our events for the remainder of the year. Unfortunately, we must institute such a strong measure because inconsiderate riders have done serious damage to the course in the past. With spring wetness, it is especially important to save the course. If you are leaving a hoofprint, then you should not be riding in that area. Please obey the posted signs.

SEPARATE CHECKS FOR EACH ENTRANT
Please include a separate check for each entrant. This allows both you ad us to make changes more easily. For example, if a family or farm has two entries, separate checks make the bookkeeping much easier if one has to scratch.