MOTDRA General Rules

COGGINS TEST:

MOTDRA: Requires an annual negative Coggins' test for all animals entered in a MOTDRA

Sanctioned Ride,

MEMBERSHIP:

1. There will be a membership fee of $20.00 single (adult or junior) or $30.00 per family per year. Paid up members in good standing will be eligible for the various awards offered by MOTDRA. The membership year runs from Jan 1 to Dec 31 of each year.

ENDURANCE TRAIL RIDES:

1. All endurance rides sponsored or sanctioned by MOTDRA shall also be sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), and be subject to the rules and requirements of that organization.

2. For MOTDRA approval, any additional requirements as deemed necessary for the protection of

competing animals, riders, ride management, workers, local land owners, etc. may be added.

3. The primary concern of MOTDRA, as with AERC, is that the horse be "fit to continue" without undue pain or danger to his/her health.

4. Whenever possible, endurance ride managers shall award appropriate prizes for each AERC weight and or age division, plus best conditioned horse, plus first to finish. Completion awards shall also be presented to all competitors who meet the time and condition requirements.

5. A MOTDRA approved endurance ride may also sponsor or stage a championship endurance ride for a specific breed, either in conjunction with a regular season ride, or as a separate event.

6. For MOTDRA sanctioning, the endurance ride manager will be charged $20.00 per event to be paid to MOTDRA. This fee must be paid before the date of the event.

7. Any AERC Intro ride. A report form will be filled out by MOTDRA members and sent to the POINT

SECRETARY by Dec. l5 for mileage ONLY.

8. Junior riders must wear protective headgear while mounted.

9. MOTDRA recommends having trail maps available for all riders.

COMPETITIVE TRAIL RIDES:

Competitive Trail Ride Purpose:

Whereas an endurance ride rewards the horse who covers the miles in the fastest time while still remaining in "fit-to-continue" veterinary condition, a competitive trail ride has a different goal. A competitive trail horse must complete a specific distance within a specific minimum and maximum time. A MOTDRA competitive trail horse is, above all, well-conditioned and fit,

physically sound and metabolically healthy. Other qualities can and do affect a horse during a ride, but are not specifically judged, as they will be reflected in the horse's condition at the end of the ride. Such desirable attributes include a cooperative and responsive nature, the ability to safely negotiate various types of natural terrain and obstacles, and a willingness to be rated at different speeds for optimal use of available energy.  MOTDRA scoring compares the start to the finish condition of each horse. Penalties are given for the assessed declined value.

QUALIFICATION AND ENTRY:

1.1 All MOTDRA-approved competitive trail rides are open to any breed of equine or mule. In addition, a Championship competitive trail ride for a specific breed may be held, either in conjunction with a regular season ride or as a separate event.

1.2 A A competing animal must be at least 3 years of age (36 months by registration or determined by Vet) to enter the Intro Rides or Limited Distance.

1.2B A competing animal must be at least 4 years of age (48 months by registration or determined by Vet) to enter a ride up to 30 miles.

l.2C A competing animal must be at least 5 years of age ( 60 months by registration) for a longer

distance ride. In the cases of non registered animals, the ride veterinarian's opinion shall prevail.

1.3 Junior riders are those riders under 18 years of age. A junior rider must have a liability form signed by his/her parent or legal guardian, along with the signature of the sponsor taking responsibility for the junior.

PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR IS REQUIRED WHEN MOUNTED.

1.4 A Junior rider who has reached 16 years of age and has ridden a total of 300 miles in the MOTDRA Mileage Program may declare themselves a senior rider. A Declared Senior Rider may ride without a sponsor and will continue to compete in the senior divisions. Once a senior, always a senior. A ride Manager may disregard this ruling if there are safety concerns for that particular ride and ask the Declared Senior Rider to ride with a sponsor.

1.5 Junior riders must be able to manage and control their own animals. Limited Distance juniors may be ponied for completion only and must start at the back of the group.

1.6 Children under 14 years of age shall not be left in camp without supervision. Although families and children are welcome on MOTDRA rides. Ride management and/or personnel shall not be responsible for unattended children.

JUDGING AND MANAGEMENT:

2.1 The veterinary judge must be a licensed veterinarian. Out of state vets are permitted to judge. The licensed vet judge will evaluate all competing animals at each stage of a ride, and do all examinations required for scoring. The vet judge cannot be a contestant in the ride. Pulse teams can operate under the supervision of a vet judge. Except for mileage credit only, a veterinarian may not judge his/her own animal, or the one owned by a member of his/her immediate family.

2.2 The ride veterinarian shall be at each vet check to observe all competing animals when ever possible.  His/her decision in all matters concerning a competing animal is final.

2.3 A separate treatment veterinarian shall be on call for any emergencies.

2.4 Starting order shall be up to the individual ride manager. It is suggested that riders start individually at 30-60 second intervals, or in small groups of not more than 10.

2.5 Recommended pace is 5 to 7 miles per hour. Pace and time allowed for each of the 3 distances will be announced at ride meeting by management.

A 30-minute "window" for open division and 15-minute window for Intro and limited distance riders is recommended for completion, with points deducted for finishing over or under that time. Rate of penalty is one point per minute for a one day ride and½ point per minute for multi-day rides. A rider who finishes more than 45 minutes beyond the maximum time allowed will not be awarded completion credit.

2.6 Ride management may elect to use the elevator concept for a ride, wherein the initial entry is for the first day only of a multi-day ride. At the post ride vet check on that first day the rider decides whether to stop and be eligible for mileage and awards for a one day ride or to forfeit that day's awards and continue in competition for another day. An extra entry fee may be assessed for each additional day, payable before the start of that extra day. 

   A. If the animal does not complete the additional day for what ever reason, the previous day's mileage shall be counted as a completion for mileage credits only. 

   B. For the purpose of points, etc. the number of total entries as well as the number of entries in each division shall be counted from the first day of an elevator ride, i.e., if 10 riders start the first day, but only 5 elect to compete for a second day, then 10 entries are credited for that division for both days and points are credited accordingly.

2.7 A competitive ride manager may choose to include a limited distance and/or an Intro ride for

beginning riders and/ or animals in conjunction with the Open ride. The Limited Distance shall be

approximately 15 miles. Miles used will be chosen by the Ride Manager for the Intro Riders. These

Distances will not be applicable to the elevator ride concept. These miles will be counted in the

MOTDRA mileage program. Because the Intro and limited distance rides are a good place for new riders to start, they will be allowed two exceptions to the regular rules: 

    A. They can accept assistance during the ride ( i.e. vetting in, etc.)

    B. If they miss trail and are unable to return to the missed spot and finish the ride, they will not be disqualified, but instead will be eligible for completion only. 

   C. If they miss a pulse check due to missing part of the trail they will be disqualified but will have a mandatory vet check back in camp to make sure the horse is OK.

 2.8 It is recommended that horses cover at least 10 miles before the first pulse check. For limited distance and open rides.

2.9 All riders must complete the course as marked, in the correct direction, with loops in the correct order. In the case of a missed portion of the trail a rider may return via horseback to the point of deviation and ride the remainder of the course correctly. While cutting trail is subject to disqualification, a ride manager may award completion credit only for unusual and inadvertent circumstances.

DIVISIONS AND AWARDS:

3.1 Recommended divisions are juniors (under 18, no weight requirement), lightweight, and heavyweight. A middleweight division may be added if enough entries warrant. Rider and tack must be weighed before the ride. Entries will be divided as evenly as possible into the various divisions.

3.2 All miles with a qualified completion will be added to the mileage program. Open Distance Miles will accumulate points for their ride for the High Point Program.  Limited Distance Miles will accumulate points for their ride for the Limited Distance High Point Program. Intro Ride Miles will only accumulate miles for the mileage program. A completion award shall be presented to all contestants who qualified in addition to an award for the top 6 places in each division. The highest scoring horse from all open divisions shall be declared the ride champion. The second highest scoring horse shall be named ride reserve champion. A ride manager may name a separate champion and reserve for the limited distance portion or present any other award category as desired without added percentage points.

3.3 If a horse finishes the required distance of a Competitive Trail Ride (CTR) within the specified time limits, but then requires any type of veterinary treatment, that horse is not eligible for any awards or completion.

ALL RIDERS ARE URGED TO CONSIDER THE WELL BEING OF THEIR ANIMALS BEFORE THE VALUE OF ANY AWARD.

COMPETITION RULES:

Competition begins with the initial vet check and continues through the final vet check.

4.1 Stallions shall wear a yellow ribbon in their tails.

A horse that kicks must be identified with a red ribbon in the tail.

4.2 If a horse enters a ride with a pre-existing injury, the injury may be covered with a topical medication after the official ride veterinarian has seen the uncovered injury and determined that participation in the ride will not cause additional damage, and that the injury and medication will not affect the performance of the animal.

4.3 No drugs of any kind or type may be administered to a competing animal within 96 hours of the preride vet exam. MOTDRA reserves the right to test any animal. Refusal of permission for testing shall result in horse and rider disqualification. Appropriate penalties shall be at the discretion of the MOTDRA board of directors.

4.4 The use of water at any time is permitted unless restricted by ride management. You may sponge or pour water on your horse however, hosing during any part of competition is not allowed. Water carried on the trail may be used at any time. Insect repellents, electrolytes, and feed supplements are permitted however, ice, salt packs, liniments, bandages, splint boots, or any other protective boot that may cover the hairline on the horses' hoof are not allowed in normal competition. Horses may wear protective leg

wraps if they are being ridden for completion miles only. Electrolytes may be administered in any form EXCEPT tubing or intravenously.

4.5 Bandages, splint boots, etc. are not allowed in normal competition. Exception: leg protection is allowed for completion credit only. Any type of shoe and/or pad is permissible as is any type of humane tack or equipment.

4.6 Hoof boots are allowed but must be removed before the final vet check unless they are below the hairline.

4.7 A small portable corral or picket line is permitted, provided it is allowed by the local camp regulations. Extra precautions for stallions are recommended.

4.8 Riders must remain mounted during any forward progress down the trail, but may dismount and rest themselves or their animals at any time, provided they do not advance. EXCEPTION if a shoe is lost, the rider may lead the animal to the nearest access point for a farrier.

4.9 Pit crews shall not be allowed for competitive trail riders. Courtesies such as REFILLING WATER PAILS, (by management), holding a horse or assisting in mounting are allowed, but actual care of the animal is the rider's responsibility.

4.10 Horses and riders are in competition as a team. Disqualification of one constitutes automatic disqualification of the other.

4.11 A short riding whip no longer than 36 inches may be carried for in hand presentation of the animal, but may not be used to force a tired animal to trot for judging. Any other whips are not allowed.

4.12 Trail maps indicating directions and mileage must be provided to all riders.

4.13 A- Open milers pulse check will be taken at 10 minutes after arrival at the check point. Those ready for their 10 minutes pulse take priority over a courtesy check. Ride Managers may deduct points to any rider who is later than 10 minutes after arrival time. Penalties will be assessed at a rate of½ point per late minute. At 10 minutes from arrival if the pulse does not meet the required rate as announced at the riders briefing, a second check will be done 20 minutes after arrival but the 10 Minutes pulse will be the only pulse that is scored. This check must be taken by the veterinarian or head of Pulse crew in the vets' absence. An animal that does not meet the required recovery in 20 minutes after arrival at the check point will be disqualified from further competition. Mandatory hold time for the mid-point check for open milers is 30 minutes. All hold times start at arrival to the check point. Riders are encouraged to take appropriate measures to insure the well-being of their horse. Exception: At the finish horses will be allowed 30 minutes from the finish time to reach required pulse recovery. Ride Managers may deduct points for any rider who is later than 10 minutes after arrival time for pulse check. Penalties will be assessed at a rate of½ point per late minute.

4.13 B - Intro and Limited Distance riders pulse checks will be taken 10 minutes after arrival at the check point. Those ready for their 10 minutes pulse take priority over a courtesy check. At 10 minutes from arrival if the pulse does not meet the required rate as announced at the riders briefing, a second check will be done 20 minutes after arrival but the 10 Minutes pulse will be the only pulse that is scored. This check must be taken by the veterinarian or head of Pulse crew in the vets' absence. An animal that does not meet the required 'recovery in 20 minutes from arrival at the check point will be disqualified from further competition. Ride Managers may deduct points for any rider who is later than 10 minutes after arrival time for the pulse check. Penalties will be assessed at a rate of½ point per late minute.

Mandatory hold time for the mid-point check for Limited Distance is 15 minutes. All hold times start at arrival to the check point. Riders are encouraged to take appropriate measures to insure well-being of their horse. 

- Exception: At the finish horses will be allowed 30 minutes from the finish time to reach required pulse recovery.

4.14 Surprise pulse/stop and go checks may be taken and scored at ride management discretion. This will be announced at the ride meeting and 15 minutes will be added to total elapsed time.

4.15 If a rider disagrees with the initial reading at a vet check, he/she may ask for a second check, which must be done immediately. The second check is recorded whether it is higher or lower. If the pulse technician is using a hand held HRM, the monitor should be held on the horse for 15 seconds after the heart rate is obtained and then the pulse is recorded.

4.16 A Cardiac Recovery Index (CRI) will be taken on every contestant immediately after the post ride 10 minute pulse check of each ride day. At the end of each ride day, the 10 minute pulse will be taken as usual. From there, the animal will go directly to the veterinarian for the CRI. It is recommended that a separate time keeper be available for this procedure. The vet will take the pulse, then the animal is trotted 125 feet away and 125 feet back (total of 250 feet). One minute (60 seconds) from the start of the trot, the pulse is taken again. Both counts are recorded but the information will be used only to break a tie. During the trot phase the veterinarian can evaluate such fatigue categories, as willingness, impulsion, etc. While waiting for the full 60 seconds the vet can also evaluate the metabolic categories such as capillary refill, mucous membranes, dehydration, etc. All of these values will be scored. After completion of the CRI, the animal and rider are free to continue cooling out as usual. They will be called for the final hands-on portion of the judging at the ride manager's discretion, but this will be at least 20 minutes from the time of the CRI. Ties will be broken by the veterinarian's decision utilizing information from the score sheet such as CR/, lameness, metabolic, impulsion and other information relevant to the equines well being.

4.17 Score sheets should be checked for correct math or any errors and brought to the immediate

attention of ride management before leaving the campground.

4.18 Behavior unbecoming a distance rider is grounds for immediate disqualification by the ride

manager or veterinarian.

SANCTIONING:

5.1 For MOTDRA sanctioning, the competitive ride manager will be charged $20.00 per ride, to be paid to MOTDRA before the date of the event. Elevator rides are considered a 1 day ride. It can be collected however the ride manager chooses. The ride must use MOTDRA scoring for CTR. The ride manger must be a member of MOTDRA.

PROTESTS:

6.1 Any problems that may warrant an official protest must be brought to the attention of the ride

manager within 20 minutes of completion awards, and before leaving the campground, so that all

concerned parties may have a chance to speak. If the problem cannot be resolved at that time and the rider still feels a protest is in order, he or she must notify the ride manager in writing before leaving camp of his or her intent to file a formal protest.

6.2 An official protest must be filed in writing within 8 days of the protested event and be accompanied by a $25.00 fee. The original shall be sent to the president of MOTDRA with a copy to the ride manager.  All protests shall be decided by the MOTDRA board of directors, excluding any persons who may be directly involved with the protest. If sufficient BOD members are unavailable. The president may appoint a Protest Committee for that particular incident. The $25.00 fee will be refunded if the protest is upheld.