Competitors must be at least 10 years old for 70cm, 80cm and 90 cm classes and at least 12 years old for the 100cm classes.

Rider age will be taken as per the 1st January 2024.

Horses must be at least 5 years of age. The age will be calculated from the 1st January in the year in which it was foaled.

Horses must be entered in their full passport name.

Horses can have unlimited British Eventing Foundation points. They must not have acquired any Novice or above British Eventing points in the current or preceding two seasons. If they have acquired points in the preceding two seasons they can compete at the qualifiers but will not gain points towards Championships qualification.

Points will be issued at all qualifiers as follows:

• 1st 75 pts
• 2nd 69 pts
• 3rd 63 pts
• 4th 57 pts
• 5th 51 pts
• 6th 45 pts
• 7th 39 pts
• 8th 33 pts
• 9th 27 pts
• 10th 21 pts

Double clears outside of the top ten placings receive 19 pts.

Riders can ride more than one horse at the Championships providing the horse and rider combination have qualified.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. The horse trials will be run under national guidelines unless otherwise stated.
2. It is compulsory that ALL riders wear hats/helmets up to British Standard Riding Hats confirming All VG1. These standards have changed for this year and the 1998 mark for PAS 015 and the 2001 SNELL no longer being compliant – (PAS 015 MUST NOW BE 2011 and SNELL MUST BE 2016.) All hats must carry a Cotswold Cup Tag or 2023 PC or RC tag.
3. Riding is a risk sport, and it is compulsory that all riders wear a body protector to the latest BETA standards. You are NOT ALLOWED to wear a BETA Level 3 body protector with a 2000 label. Air Jackets may be worn but in conjunction with a body protector. Please be aware that the safety standard for body protectors is changing for the 2024 season.
4. It is compulsory that every person entering the one-day event under 18 years of age is accompanied by a responsible adult.
5. Event stopwatches are permitted.
6. Dogs are permitted provided they always remain on a short lead.
7. Horseboxes must NOT be mucked out on site.
8. The Owner and Organiser of the event reserve the right to remove anyone from the event site at any time without giving a reason.
9. There will be a doctor and paramedics on site.
10. There will be a vet and farrier on site.
11. Horses must be at least 5 years of age. The age will be calculated from 1st January in the year in which it was foaled.
12. The event may be cancelled without notice due to adverse weather. If there are doubts over the event running, you should contact the organiser. A £25 administration fee will be retained from entry fees in the event of cancellation.
13. The event may be cancelled without notice due to further incidences of infectious disease. A £25 administration fee will be retained from entry fees in the event of cancellation. Unfortunately, we are unable to insure against infectious diseases.
14. You accept our withdrawal and cancellation policies as stated on the schedule.
15. Any complaints or queries must be given in writing to the secretary within 30 minutes of the scores being posted with a fee of £10 which will be refunded if the objection is upheld.
16. The fall of a competitor in any phase of the event results in elimination. Any rider who falls must be checked by the Doctor prior to leaving the site.
17. Outside assistance is forbidden and will result in elimination.
18. Anyone on the event site must expect to have their photograph taken and we reserve the right to publish suitable photographs along with names if relevant. If you do not wish for your photograph to be taken, please inform the secretary.
19. Competitors must be at least 10 years old on the 01/01/2023. For competitors in the under 18’s sections, riders age will be taken as per the 01/01/2023.
20. Horses with novice or above BE points cannot qualify for Cotswold Cup Championships as per published rules on website.
21. Safeguarding and Code of Conduct: We take this seriously at all Competitions. Please see our Policy available online.

Vaccinations
All horses/ponies should have received a vaccination within 12 months of the date of the competition having already received their initial course of injections. There must be six clear days between the last vaccination and the date of the competition. Random checks will be taking place.
This policy is non-negotiable.
Personal Injury and Insurance:

The event site owner nor organiser does not insure the rider, your horse, your tack or your equipment. You are strongly advised to have in place your own adequate insurance at all times.
The venue, nor anyone included in the organisation of the event will not be held responsible for ANY accident, injury or loss to any person or their property however this may be caused.
Riding horses is a high-risk sport and riders taking part in this event acknowledge this and do so at their own risk and that the organisers and land owner will not be accountable or responsible for any loss, damage or injury to the rider, horse or equipment caused, including Covid-19.
Health and Safety:

The organisers of this event have taken all reasonable precautions to ensure the health and safety of everyone present. For these measures to be effective, everyone must take all reasonable precautions to avoid and to prevent accidents occurring and must obey the rules and instructions of the organisers, stewards, and officials.

Our stance on Professionals

The Cotswold Cup are very supportive of our professional riders and every event horse has to start their journey somewhere.

We were delighted to welcome the likes of dual Olympic medal winner Tom McEwen MBE to some of our qualifiers with his young horses and hope many of our competitors get they could watch and learn from not only him, but all of the top stream riders who joined us last season.

It is almost impossible to definitively define a professional in the eventing world. Many riders have a yard of horses for sale and may not compete over 100cms in their career and another rider might have one horse that takes them around a 5*.

We cannot separate professional riders from amateurs, so we have opted for the following wording and hope this is clear.

Anyone can compete at a qualifier.

You will NOT gain championship qualifying points if the following apply:

70cm riders must not have competed over Novice level eventing with an affiliated body.

80cm and 90cm riders must not have competed at Advanced level eventing or above with an affiliated body in the preceding FIVE seasons.

100cm classes are open to any level of rider.

Any horse gaining points towards championship qualification and going on to compete at the championships must NOT have gained any British Eventing points in the current (2024), or preceding two seasons (2022 and 2023). Foundation points are fine.

All government Covid rules will apply as per the guidelines at the time of the competition.

We reserve the right to use any official imagery from our qualifying events. If you do not wish your image to be used you must let us know in writing to info@cotswoldcup.co.uk

All prize winners must attend the prize-giving or risk forfeiting any prizes in full.

The Cotswold Cup reserve the right to amend and update rules at any time.