12/09/2026
GREAT WITCHINGHAM BLACKWATER FARM EVENT RULES 2026. For info. Same event rules as usual. We hope you enjoy your run at Blackwater. Many thanks for competing with us.
EVENT DAY SECRETARY/SCORER – the secretary/scorer will be based at the portacabin to answer any event day queries, or the scorers can assist in the absence of the Secretary. Event check in with be done by the dressage stewards when you arrive to warm up not to the secretary. No need to check in to the Secretary on arrival as you print and bring your own numbers. There will be no routine horse passport checks but we may random check at lorries. ANY ON THE DAY WITHDRAWALS - Any on the day withdrawals, either non travelling, or WD’s between sections should be made to the Secretary. Tel: 01603 873187 or pop to portacabin
BIBS AND NUMBERS - COMPETITORS MUST PRINT THEIR OWN NUMBERS X2 AND PROVIDE NUMBER BIBS. There is number template on our website whats on page- www.blackwaterfarm.co.uk Please use it to print your numbers Handwritten numbers must be in black marker and drawn big and bold if not judges cannot see them. See the Secretary if you forget your printed numbers.
TIMES - All competitors must compete to their PUBLISHED times. Marked multiple riders have permission to slot in for jumping phases with their class timeframes.
GENERAL EVENT DAY INFO- There will be an event photographer, caterer, Glebe saddlery and blade sharpening sponsor trade stand. All photo sales are online only. No unauthorized commercial photographers/y. WATER- Please bring sufficient horse water etc. We have a tap at front of lorry park to right of red and blue pavilion if you need more. DOGS- Well behave but there will be no water trough to aid good bio security. Well behaved dogs are welcome on event days but must stay on short leads away from other people’s horses and you must p**p scoop after them. RUBBISH – should go home with you. TOILETS – front left of lorry park plus Portaloo’s at dressage and possible on XC . PARKING- please park neatly from the front of the lorry park in rows. Please do not muck out lorries/trailers onto the grass, poo, hay etc. must go home with you. No visitor vehicle access to XC/SJ/Dressage.. Officials to park at front of box park.
SCORES -scores and results will go up during the day in the red and blue pavilion. All results queries must be made on the day. There is a 15-minute window from the class results going up to lodge a formal query with the secretary or scorer. Once results and prizes are issued, we cannot alter issued placings. Scores will be posted on Facebook the evening of the event for those who cannot stay on the day.
PRIZE GIVING- Please collect your prizes/rosies from the Secretary’s no sooner than the end of the result query 30 mins window. For the last class 15 mins. If you are collecting for someone else, you will need to sign for prizes. Non collected placings are posted out post event but please collect if you can. Ensure your entry includes your full postal address. LEAGUE INFO AS PUBLISHED.
DRESSAGE SHEETS – Dressage sheets can be collected the trays in the red and blue building on event day. They are put out for collection at the end of each Dressage section once the scorers have them. Please allow for that.
CRASH HATS/BODY PROTECTORS - Crash hats/jockey skulls with chin straps secured and no fixed peaks for the jumping phases, to be worn at all times when mounted. Hats must comply with current safety standards. Body protectors compliant with current safety standards must be worn for XC. If you would like to wear body protectors for both jumping phases, please do and you may SJ in XC clothes to accommodate the body protector.
TACK should be compliant with British Eventing rules. If you need guidance, please ask. Snaffle bits for dressage. No whips or boots on horses are allowed in the dressage tests.
DRESSAGE TESTS AND DRESSAGE CALLERS - Permission must be sought for dressage callers BEFORE the event. Permission will be granted where it is a reasonable adjustment for a health issue. Dressage tests are as published.
COURSES - SJ courses must be jumped as flagged and numbered. The course will be the same for all classes, but be raised to the class size, with distances in doubles lengthened for bigger classes.
The XC courses must be jumped as flagged and numbered for your class. You must jump all of your published courses in the numbered order. White flag flags to the left, red to right. Any XC L fences will be identified on course plans and will incur 10 penalties if taken. There may be none.
COURSE WALKING –THE XC AND SJ COURSE PLANS WILL BE POSTED ON FACEBOOK BEFORE THE COURSES OPEN FOR WALKING. Courses will be open for walking from Saturday.
HORSE HEALTH- All horses must have up to date annual flu vaccinations or to have had both primary vacs and be free from any signs of illness or unsoundness on event day. Passports must travel with horses so should be on site with competitors on event day but do not need to be inspected by the Secretary. We may random vac passport check at lorries during the event season.
BIO SECURITY
THERE IS STRICTLY NO ACCESS TO OUR LIVERY YARD FOR VISITING HORSES AND COMPETITORS PLEASE.
All visiting horses must be up to date equine flu (and tet) vaccinated, see above. Random passport checks may be undertaken on site. All visiting horses must be sound and well.
Visiting owners, riders, instructors, AND organisers, must risk assess themselves for Strangles, Equine Flu and EHV, or anything else contagious, with heightened vigilance during local and national outbreaks, and must take all appropriate bio security measures. Your vets, governing bodies, welfare organizations etc all have good guides. Do not attend with an unwell horse or from a yard with any actual or suspected flu, strangles or EHV cases.
HORSE WELFARE- is paramount. If our stewards have concerns about horse welfare, whether it is lameness, blood, use of the whip, inappropriate riding or handling etc. they will speak to competitors/ You are asked to be respectful of any guidance given.
GENERAL BEHAVIOUR- We ask everyone to be polite and courteous to each other on event day and to the event team. We have a zero tolerance policy on rude/aggressive behaviour to event volunteers -they give up their time for free so we can all enjoy our sport. We really hope everyone enjoys their day.
PARAMEDICS – We have on site medical cover for every event. Rider falls will be reported by officials during the 3 phases, and you will be directed to the paramedics for clearance to remount, or for treatment.
For any injury in the lorry park or elsewhere on site please contact any official with a radio and they can radio for a paramedic for you. Starters and warm up, score collectors, scorers, secretary all have radios.
Vets/farriers- there are no event farriers or vets on site for our unaffiliated events, but vets can be called
Our livery yard- no entry to our livery yard by competitors during an event – bio security.
WARM UP ARENAS AND PHASES PROTOCOLS
DRESSAGE WARM UP - Please report to the steward on arrival to warm up so they can check you in and confirm your arena, Arena’s will also be published with the course plans .You must compete to your issued time, SHOW AND JUMPING WARM UP Please check in to the steward on arrival in the warmup and be ready to SJ on your issued time. SJ penalties as per BE/BS rules. Permission to go XC following Elimination for 3 stops during your round or an E for a fall SJ is at the discretion of the Judge but will be granted provided you and the horse are safe and sound to proceed. All fallers must be signed off as fit by the paramedics before XC. This is mandatory. A horse fall is likely to mean we ask you don’t go XC. CROSS COUNTRY AND XC WARM UP. Please check in to the steward on arrival in the warmup and be ready to go at your time. The Starter will call you in to the start box. All competitors must wear body protectors XC. XC PENALTIES as per BE rules- You will be Eliminated for 3 refusals at a XC fence, an error of course, a horse fall, or 5 cumulative stops on XC. As we are a training venue, you have automatic permission to continue round the course provided if Ed’d for stops provided you are safe to go on, but you MUST move aside for all competitive rounds coming from behind you once E’d. It is your responsibility to do that, and you may be asked to leave the course if E’d and consistently stopping at later fences, putting you in the way of others. Please be respectful of our steward’s decision and guidance in this situation. All rider falls must be cleared by the paramedics before remounting and proceeding. All horse falls need to leave to course and no remount to ensure horse welfare. Any L fences are flagged and incur 10 penalties.
REFUND POLICY IN EVENT OF EVENT CANCELLATION – as published.
POST EVENT SCHOOLING- We are delighted to see you all for schooling between events, £ 20/horse, £15 under 18. Tel 01603 873187 to book. If you have a horse fall which means you cannot complete all 3 phases, or if the paramedics stand you down after a fall and you can’t complete, please email us about a schooling voucher to return for a confidence building [email protected]
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY - save for the death or personal injury caused by the negligence of the owners or anyone for whom they are in law responsible, either the owners, employees or representative accepts any liability for any accident, loss, damage, injury, or illness to horses, owners, riders, visitors, cars/lorries/trailers or other vehicles, their contents or accessories, or any other person or property whatsoever, whether caused by their negligence, breach of contract, or any other way whatsoever All persons attend the venue at their own risk and agree to comply with the event terms.
Blackwater Farm is a great venue for cross-country, dressage and showjumping for all levels of horses and ponies.
