Regulatory & Integrity

Riding offences - Inteference in races - Rules B53 to B55

If in the opinion of the Stewards an offence warrants a suspension of more than 28 days, the matter should always be referred to the Disciplinary Panel.

DANGEROUS RIDING

Penalties should always reflect both the cause of the interference ie the standard of riding, and its effect. Penalties should rise as the seriousness of the interference increases.

  • Rider causes serious interference

10 – 21 days

  • Rider causes serious interference which results in a rider being unseated and/or a horse falling.

14 – 21 days

  • Rider intentionally strikes another horse and/or rider resulting in serious interference
  • Rider intentionally interferes with another horse and/or
    rider resulting in serious interference
  • Rider attempts to push another rider through or around the wing of an obstacle, through or outside the running rail, or off the course, resulting in serious interference

21 – 28 days
Or refer

  • Rider intentionally pushes another rider through or around the wing of an obstacle, through or outside the running rail, or off the course ie serious interference

28 days or refer

CARELESS RIDING

Penalties should always reflect both the cause of the interference ie the standard of riding, and its effect. Penalties should rise as the seriousness of the interference increases.

  • Minimal interference. Sufferer having to take a slight check or horse being shifted slightly off its line.

Caution or 1 day

  • Increased interference, either due to a manoeuvre or failing to take corrective action
  • Rider unintentionally strikes another horse or rider when it ought to have been obvious to him that he would do so.

2 – 4 days

  • Rider makes a manoeuvre or allows horse to hang or drift which results in considerable interference.
  • Rider causes considerable interference after horse hangs or drifts for a long period when it ought to have been obvious that, uncorrected, interference would result.
  • Rider causes considerable interference by allowing horse to interfere with another horse(s) over a considerable length of time, especially when preventing sufferer from riding a finish

5 – 9 days

IMPROPER RIDING

Penalties should always reflect both the cause of the interference ie. the standard of riding, and its effect. Penalties should rise as the seriousness of the interference increases

  • Rider intentionally interferes with/strikes another horse or rider causing minimal interference/impact.
  • Rider intentionally attempts to interfere with/strike another horse or rider but fails to achieve it or pulls away at the last minute.

3 – 5 days

  • Rider intentionally interferes with/strikes another horse or rider causing increased interference/impact

6 - 9 days

  • Rider intentionally interferes with/strikes another horse or rider causing considerable interference/impact.

10 - 21 days

To view the rule in the BHA guide to penalties, click here

To view the rule on the BHA website, click here