News

This email was received from an Area rep from England.  Please check your passports asap.

One of my riders had a problem at the RWHS, she was stopped by Trading Standards Officers for a horse passport check, only to be told that hers was illegal – she fortunately received an official caution rather than being prosecuted. Her offence, she had not got a completed Section 9 certificate, Medicinal Treatment concerning "slaughter for human consumption or not" in her passport. Her passport was issued by the Welsh Pony Society pre mandatory passports so the certificate was not included. How many of our members would fall foul of this part of the law?  Numerous I suspect.

Here is a simple checklist of the sections that Trading Standards Officers check:

• Name of horse is shown together with colour and sex
• name, address and signature of current owner
• completed certificate in Medicinal Treatment concerning "slaughter for human consumption or not",

  plus if any treatments have been given that the vet has completed the section fully
• drawing and description of horse signed by a competent authority or vet plus vets stamp

Hat Standards

It has been brought to my attention that we may have misleading information in our Rulebook. Following an email that I received yesterday, regarding a Riding Club Member (wearing a Champion Ventair) that was refused entry to a competition because the official steward believed that she was wearing a hat with a fixed peak, Sarah and I have done some investigative work and found out the following:

If a hat is marked to any of the standards which are listed in our rulebook, then it cannot possibly have a ‘fixed’ peak. The hat may appear to have a fixed peak however, they have been designed, in line with current regulations, so that the peak would break or flex on impact with a solid object. British Eventing also agrees that this is also the advice that they would give to their members.

By placing an additional line in our Rulebook which states that fixed peaks are not allowed for any cross-country event, is misleading to stewards as demonstrated in the aforementioned email from a disgruntled member.

There is some rather useful information on the following link just to clarify the points that I have made.

http://www.beta-uk.org/Safety/HatStandards.asp

BHS Ireland Forest Survey is now online. 

Do you have a nearby forest that you’d like to have access to for horse riding?  BHS Ireland is currently working with Forest Service to try and create more equestrian access to N Ireland’s forests. Go to www.bhsireland.com and please click on the 2 minute survey.

The information collected in this survey will be extremely useful in finding which forest(s) in Northern Ireland riders would like access, and what these forests currently offer.
It only takes a couple of minutes to fill out the simple but important survey form on www.bhsireland.com

Trailer Thefts on Increase.

PSNI are warning farmers, builders and horse enthusiasts to be aware that there has been a recent increase in trailer thefts in the Ards area. Criminals are targeting all types of trailers, but in particular high quality branded ones that are of some financial value. There have been a number of successful thefts, as well as attempts, in the area recently, and it is a timely reminder to review the security of these items.

Sergeant Gareth Thompson, Community Safety Newtownards commented, “Unfortunately there are some people in society who feel they are entitled to steal from decent hardworking folk, and it is up to everyone to frustrate and stop these criminals whenever possible. I would strongly recommend that anyone with a trailer, or equipment they value ensures it is locked, security marked, and made as difficult as possible to be removed without their consent. Simple steps, like trailer locks, preferably with a BS standard on them, trailer alarms, and a marking system, even your postcode welded onto a chassis leg, can prevent these criminals targeting your property. There are a number of other crime prevention tools available. I would also encourage the taking of photographs of unique aspect of the property, and these stored to help in identification, should anything be stolen and then recovered by police. If there are secure areas or buildings in which to lock trailers, quads etc in, I would recommend that these are employed. It is much less inconvenient to do this than try and replace whatever has been stolen. People in rural areas with these items can be more vulnerable to theft than those living in areas of higher population. I would encourage neighbours to look out for each other, be aware of any unusual vehicles or visitors, and if in doubt, phone the local police station. PSNI have a network of crime prevention officers dedicated to their own areas and they can be contacted through 0845 600 8000, or you can look up practical advice using the internet www.psni.police.uk/index/crime-prevention.

People should also be suspicious of trailers etc for sale at “too good to be true” prices. Often these are literally too good to be true, and a very low price may indicate a less than honest background. Full checks should be made on who is selling, why they’re selling and why that price. Items should not be bought at the roadside as there is no reason a legitimate seller will not be operating from their home or business premises. As the old saying goes “buyer beware”. If the item turns out to be stolen it can be taken from the buyer and returned to the victim or their insurance company, leaving the buyer without the goods, or their hard earned money”.

Riding Clubs and the BEF Safeguarding and Protecting Children Policy

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