| Author | Message | ||
     Dawn Emmerson |
I liked the end quote.. no answer ..no help... what if the driver and groom are thrown unconcious? (Only kidding as it is obvious they need help lol) Dawn | ||
| Chris Atkins |
When we started stewarding some twenty years ago when obstacle where known as hazards we were referred to as hazard judges, all of us. Health and safety at the time had not been heard of and part of a hazard judges' duty was to keep an eye on the public - the whistle was very useful for that. It seemed, however that we were not to be confused with the real judges who made decisions so we were downgraded to stewards. We were still expected to attend training days and be familiar with the rule book. Without repeating rumour I cannot explain why we are now described as "observers", other than our crib sheets all end with "observe and report" and we're still asked to attend training days. This is all very well until something unexpected happens and you have to make an instant decision, try getting a judge instantly! More support would be appreciated but maybe I'm getting too cynical. Get on with the job enjoy what you do and just remember they will change our title with the wind when it suits. Store up your stories and repeat them over a glass with friends over time. We could write a book!!! The best one of course is that you should ask the competitor if they want help before you jump in - that's when they've had a tip up and are wrapped round a post or tree. No answer - no help. | ||
| Mike Watts |
Paul, We're always grateful to people helping with events, stewarding and otherwise, and sorry if stuff is unclear. Normally people say 'steward' to mean just about anyone helping at an event, so we speak loosely of everyone helping on an obstacle and elsewhere as 'stewards'. Strictly speaking from the rules we have an 'Obstacle Observer' and 'Assistant Obstacle Observers', so the Obstacle Observer in those rules and others is the person appointed so at an obstacle and in practice often informally called 'team leader' at an obstacle or often just 'obstacle steward'. 954.3.5 says A competitor must stop immediately whenever a horse has its leg over a pole, lead bar or trace, when a horse is down and remains down and when instructed to make necessary repair by member of the Ground Jury or Obstacle Observer. Failure to stop and correct the situation before leaving the Obstacle will (may) incur elimination. .... so I think it's the responsibility of the competitor to stop in this case, rather than an official to stop them - this for practical and safety reasons - how do you stop someone in the heat of an obstacle? The rules don't ask you to stop people except in very specific circumstances - like a hold up, with a hold up sign, or if they exceed five minutes in an obstacle, where two blasts on a whistle indicate to the competitor to leave the obstacle. More experienced stewards will know more theory and practice on this and I hope they'll contribute here if anything wrong or unclear. Also, please talk to the TD and chief steward at your next event to find out local practice. There's lots more information including a 'Manual for Driving Stewards' on the FEI site http://www.horsesport.org/a/documents/draft_schedules.htm | ||
| Paul Phillips |
Mr Watts I am new to stewarding and I am confused by a few rules, can yo help please. What is the difference between an Obstacle Observer and a Steward. Who is the Obstacle Observer in the following rules 954 3.3.5 954 7.7.1 954 7.7.2 and 954 8.8.3. Is the Obstacle observer the person appointed at "team leader" for the Obstacle ie another name for a Steward. In for example 954.3.3.5 How does the Obstacle Observer/Steward stop competitor....a whistle of a suicide leap in front (joking) Can you help please Paul |