Rules

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Click here to download a copy of the 2026 Club rules in pdf format.

 

Club Rules & Regulations – 2026

 

          1. By attending any planned Thornton Cleveleys and District Horse Club activity and/or by payment of membership and/or entry fees, competitors, assistants, spectators or other members of the public agree not to hold Thornton Cleveleys and District Horse Club, its Officials, Assistants or Stewards liable or responsible for any loss, damage, injury, illness or accident incurred by any applicable persons, animal or property.
          2. The Secretary of Thornton Cleveleys and District Horse Club must be informed of any Health and Safety issues which occur on the Showfield. This must then be entered into the Accident Book.
          3. The decision of the Judge on the day, in all classes, will be final. No competitor is to complain directly to a Judge.
          4. Complaints must be lodged in writing to either the Secretary or Chairman with a deposit of £25.00 within 15 minutes of the class ending. The deposit will be forfeited if the objection is not sustained.
          5. In any dispute the Committee’s decision is final.
          6. Any abuse or defamatory behaviour to Judges, Officials, Assistants, Stewards or Competitor will not be tolerated and will result in a one year ban and loss of all points for the season.
          7. The Thornton Cleveleys & District Horse Club Social Media Policy must be adhered to and appropriate action will be taken where this is found to have been breached.
          8. A horse/pony or rider/handler are not permitted to enter any class which is to be judged by a person who had, or has, any financial interest or is connected with the horse/pony or rider/handler in any way.
          9. There is to be no riding on the Showfield other than at official events or activities organised by Thornton Cleveleys and District Horse Club.
          10. Galloping on the Showfield is forbidden, unless at the request of a Judge. Trot and canter must only be undertaken in designated areas of the Showfield, including rings and warm up areas. Competitors found to be abusing this rule risk cancellation of their membership and loss of all points for the season.
          11. Lunging may only take place in the designated area of the Showfield.
          12. A fall of the horse/pony or rider/handler in any class will result in elimination and the combination must leave the ring. The rider must not remount in the ring during that class.
          13. Any animal not kept sufficiently under control may be asked to leave a ring or the Showfield immediately by any Judge, Steward or Official of Thornton Cleveleys and District Horse Club.
          14. Senior riders/handlers are those who have attained their 17th Birthday prior to the 1st January 2026.
          15. Junior riders/handlers are those who have not attained their 17th birthday prior to the 1st January 2026.
          16. Competitors must have attained their 3rd birthday prior to the 1st January 2026 to compete in any class.
          17. All horse/pony and rider/handler ages are as at the 1st January 2026 and will remain throughout the season.
          18. Horses/ponies must be aged 4 years and over to be ridden on the Showfield.
          19. Stallions/Colts are to be ridden/handled by a Senior competitor only. All stallions must display a stallion disc. Exhibitors of stallions should make themselves known to the gate stewards on entry to the Showfield.
          20. Any animal deemed to be in poor condition will not be eligible to compete.
          21. All riders must be suitably mounted for the type/height of the horse/pony.
          22. The misuse/excessive use of a whip, bit, spurs or any item of saddlery in any way whatsoever, on the Showfield, is forbidden. Whips/Canes/Padded Batons should not exceed 30”/ 75cm.
          23. Spurs may only be worn by Senior riders in applicable classes, with the exception of Showjumping classes where Junior riders are also able to use them. Competitors should seek clarification if they are unclear.
          24. A correctly fitted riding hat with a fastened safety harness, that meets the current recommended British Standard, must be worn by all riders, at all times, when mounted.
          25. Junior competitors must wear a riding hat with a fastened safety harness in all In-Hand classes. All handlers are strongly advised to adhere to this rule.
          26. Competitors in all Showjumping and Working Hunter classes must wear a body protector that meets the current recommended British Standard.            
          27. Correct dress must be worn by all riders (unless otherwise stated). Handlers must be smartly dressed with suitable footwear.
          28. Mobile telephones, earpieces and communication devices must not be present or used in the ring.
          29. Non-Competitive entries are not permitted in any class, unless agreed by the Judge.
          30. All events, unless otherwise stated, are pre-entry only and must be entered using the online system provided by Thornton Cleveleys and District Horse Club. All entries will close at 17:00 the evening prior to the event. Additional entries will be taken on the day from combinations already entered, subject to class capacity limits.
          31. The Committee reserves the right to alter or cancel any class, or timing of classes, if necessary.
          32. The Committee reserves the right to close pre-entries early for any class where capacity limits have been reached. Where demand is maintained the Committee reserves the right to split the class for the purposes of judging.
          33. It is the responsibility of the competitor to ensure that they are entered into the correct class.
          34. Entry fees are non-refundable in all circumstances other than Thornton Cleveleys and District Horse Club cancelling the event.
          35. A membership is valid from the date purchased until the date of the 2026 Annual General Meeting.
          36. Members are only eligible to accrue points during the season once their membership number has been issued.
          37. To be eligible for a points award at the end of season presentation, the combination of rider/handler and horse/pony must have competed in the class at a minimum of two points shows during that season.
          38. The name of the horse/pony should be maintained for the entire season to ensure points are awarded accordingly. Any substitute rider/handler or horse/pony will begin a new set of points.
          39. To be eligible to compete in a Ring Championship, the combination of rider/handler and horse/pony must be that which was placed 1st or 2nd in the respective class. There are to be no substitute riders/handlers or horses/ponies.
          40. Points are awarded for all classes, unless otherwise stated, as follows:
          • 1st place = 7 points + 1 attendance point
          • 2nd place = 6 points + 1 attendance point
          • 3rd place = 5 points + 1 attendance point
          • 4th place = 4 points + 1 attendance point
          • 5th place = 3 point + 1 attendance point
          • Unplaced = 1 point + 1 attendance point
          • Eliminated = 1 attendance point
          1. To be eligible for the attendance point, members must have started the ‘walk round’ in In Hand classes, the ‘go round’ in Showing classes, or the jumping phase in Working Hunter and Showjumping classes.
          2. The record of accrued points will be available to view at each event.
          3. To be eligible for a trophy at the Annual Willow Nook Show, competitors must be a member and have competed at a minimum of one points show on or before Sunday 2nd August 2026.
          4. It is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure that they get to the ring at the correct time.
          5. In the event of a clash it is up to the competitor to decide which class they will compete in. Once a class has been called competitors have a maximum of 10 minutes to enter the ring at the Judge’s discretion.
          6. Competitors wishing to qualify for Society Championships or other Championship Shows must ensure that they familiarise themselves and comply with all rules of that society/show to avoid penalising themselves and/or Thornton Cleveleys and District Horse Club.
          7. All animals entering the Showfield should have an up to date vaccination for Equine Influenza.
          8. It is recommended that all exhibitors have a minimum of third party liability insurance cover.
          9. Working Hunter mark sheets will be available to view at the relevant show and will be posted on the Thornton Cleveleys and District Horse Club social media pages in the days following.
          10. Any photograph taken by an Official Photographer or Official of Thornton Cleveleys and District Horse Club may appear on the Thornton Cleveleys and District Horse Club website and social media pages, and may be used in promotional material. If you wish not to be photographed you must inform an Official of Thornton Cleveleys and District Horse Club.
          11. In accordance with GDPR and our Privacy Policy, Thornton Cleveleys and District Horse Club will retain all membership details, entry, result and mark sheets for two years after the annual membership period has expired. Your data may be used for the purposes defined in the Privacy Policy. Any request to remove details from our records should be addressed to the Secretary.