| Author | Message | ||
     Fiona Powell Member Username: Fionap Post Number: 45 Registered: 03-2007 |
We (EACDG again!) explicitly allow hula hoops and two people competed using vehicles with them in 2009, I believe, but none since. Yes, the width when you use them is not the "track width", of course, but it's (usually) only the novice and pre-novice drivers who use these older vehicles and we want to encourage everyone to have a go. They do not give anyone much, if any, advantage, IMHO. If a competitor turns up with a 125cms carriage, we have to change the cones width or they go h/c. I have to say that I would rather go round cones outdoors at 250m/minute with 138cms trackwidth if my groom can only sit! Clubs can make up their own rules about widths, of course, and we usually run one-day events at marathon width throughout, with no ill effects. However the groom can stand on the backstep which gives extra stability. What matters (I think) is that we all compete to the same rules and widths, otherwise competing at different clubs, nationals or even abroad becomes difficult and carriages become impossible to buy and sell. I agree it may seem daft - but we do dressage dressed like extras in Midsomer Murders! | ||
| D Paffett Member Username: Dpaff Post Number: 6 Registered: 08-2010 |
Is it the case that extending axles are a daft (and potentially unsafe) idea that should have been phased out but there is no practical mechanism within the FEI for doing this? (Well, it is a discussion forum isn’t it?) | ||
| Joe Hodgson Member Username: Joehodgson Post Number: 32 Registered: 07-2010 |
Thanks Christine found now | ||
| Christine Twigg Member Username: Rosibob Post Number: 16 Registered: 02-2008 |
Hi Joe I am no expert on the rules but I think the relevant part of the rule book is 918.1.7 Artificial extensions to increase the measured width of a Vehicle are not permitted in Competition C | ||
| Ruth Auton Member Username: Rauton Post Number: 8 Registered: 08-2007 |
They are allowed at our club - MDTG - but I must admit I've not seen them used for a long time! | ||
| Joe Hodgson Member Username: Joehodgson Post Number: 31 Registered: 07-2010 |
Does anyone know if the hula hoops are allowed to be used? as i can not find anything in the rule book | ||
| David Taylor Member Username: Davidt Post Number: 4 Registered: 02-2007 |
I am not so sure about Hula Hoops being allowed as they measure 5cms above the ground and modern cones measure at ground level. It would only be possible to change all cones settings to match the individual vehicle which is far too much work. I believe in the Indoor events that can be permitted for Pre-Novices by arrangement, but they only have 10 pairs of cones compared with around 23 pairs or more outdoors | ||
| Fiona Powell Member Username: Fionap Post Number: 41 Registered: 03-2007 |
Hi, I am sure there are greater minds than mine who can explain why the widths are what they are... I believe it's partly because carriages "back in the day" were of a less uniform width and the rule used to be (something like) "No less than 140cms wide, with a tolerance of 2cms" - and now it's minimum trackwidth not less than 138cms (measured on the back wheels, as I guess you know). Is it for greater stability in cones or is it because some people used to use (and perhaps still use) older carriages/presentation carriages which do not have an adjustable axle? I'm not sure where you get £1000 from? The only reference I could find for a new pleasure driving carriage having the adjustable axle (from 125 to 138cms) as an extra cost £145 plus VAT. It may be possible to have your axle changed or adjusted by a competent machanic or agricultural engineer? It is rare for (EACDG) club competitors to use a presentation carriage. We almost all use three-phase carriages. Even older ones usually have an extending axle, and you can drill holes to make it 125 (if it's an old 120cms one). Also, if you really want to cut a dash, two-wheeled carriages are fine for dressage and cones - and are very popular on the continent. We still allow people to compete with hula hoops - which you can fit on to older carriages rear wheels, and also pneumatic-tyred vehicles - 4 or 2 wheel. Even those who can afford to go to national competitions don't always have two carriages - actually it's an advantage to have a three phase vehicle because it can feel safer when you go fast in the cones! There, have I just saved you £1000? I wish! Anyway, I hope this helps and might spur others to add... | ||
| D Paffett Member Username: Dpaff Post Number: 5 Registered: 08-2010 |
Could someone explain why you need to have differing axle widths in cones and marathon? It seems to add a quite unnecessary £1000 on to the cost of competing (unless you have two carriages and then it's a lot more). I expect this is an old chestnut that's been done before but it would help me sleep nights. |