Equestrian Program and Marshals

Equestrian Program

General

The rules are designed to promote safe equestrian activities in the Society. However, no matter how clear or accurate, rules cannot replace common sense, good judgment, and concern for the participants and equines. If a question arises when applying these standards, choose the answer that promotes the greatest degree of safety for all.

Equestrian Activities and Jurisdiction

1. The Equestrian Marshallate has jurisdiction over all SCA equestrian activities and related activities. Lochac may develop Equestrian Mounted Archery, Thrown Weapons, or Mounted Combat programs which provide for the safe oversight of these activities by the Equestrian Marshallate of the Kingdom, but may not require Target Archery, Thrown Weapons, or Armoured Combat Marshal participation.
2. SCA equestrian activities include but are not limited to:
   • riding,
   • driving,
   • packing and carting;
   • horse-handling;
   • processions,
   • games,
   • thrown weapons,
   • archery,
   • combat,
   • use of other period equipment while mounted/driving;
   • jousting;
   • marshalling,
   • authorising,
   • and ground crewing.
3. SCA Equestrian-related activities include:
   • being present at equestrian activities as an observer;
   • any other activity related, however slight, to equestrian activities at events held at SCA events.
4. SCA Ltd Australia and SCA Inc. NZ's insurance policies both include equestrian activities.
   1. In Australia, everyone attending an SCA event must have completed a Request to Participate and Indemnity form.
   2. In New Zealand, attendees do not sign an indemnity. Anyone who is not a member of SCANZ Inc or its affiliates must purchase an event membership.
5. Only equines (i.e. horses, asses, mules, zorses, donkeys) may participate in SCA equestrian activities. Dogs used for packing and carting are not considered an equestrian activity.
6. Non-equine demonstrations fall under the jurisdiction of the seneschal. In addition, these requests must be approved by the Equestrian Marshallate. Requests to bring non-equine large herbivore herd animals over 135 kg (for example: camels or llamas) to SCA events for demonstrations of historically relevant activities appropriate to the specific animal must follow the SCA demo policy (Section XV of the Society-level Seneschal's Handbook).

Kingdom Equestrian Officer

1. The Earl Marshal, in consultation with the Crown, shall designate a Kingdom Equestrian Officer as their Deputy Earl Marshal responsible for equestrian activities within the kingdom. This designation should consider the individual's experience and familiarity with equestrian activities within the Society.
2. The Crown's representative upon the field and in all matters dealing with equestrian activities is the Earl Marshal, then the Kingdom Equestrian Officer, then, by delegation, members of the Kingdom Equestrian Marshallate.
3. The duties of the Kingdom Equestrian Officer include:
   1. Managing Lochac's equestrian marshallate and oversight of equestrian activities within Lochac. The Kingdom Equestrian Officer shall have authority to investigate and address accidents and incidents involving equestrian activities within Lochac. This authority includes the right to sanction individuals who engage in inappropriate behaviour, up to and including the removal of equestrian authorisations.
   2. Reporting as follows:
      1. Quarterly reports - The Kingdom Equestrian Officer must generate, at minimum, quarterly reports on equestrian activities to the Kingdom Earl Marshal with a collateral report to the Society Equestrian Officer. Quarterly reports are due to the Society Equestrian Officer on:
         • 1 March (1st quarter)
         • 1 June (2nd quarter)
         • 1 September (3rd quarter)
         • and 1 December (4th quarter).
      2. Accident reports - In the event of an injury to a person or animal, requiring medical attention, occurring at a Society-sponsored equestrian activity, the Kingdom Equestrian Officer will make an oral report to the Kingdom Earl Marshal, Kingdom Seneschal and the Society Equestrian Officer within 24 hours of being notified of the accident, followed by a written report to the same within 72 hours delineating the circumstances of the accident. For reporting purposes, accidents are when medical attention is required (by a person or an animal), and incidents are everything else, such as when riders (or marshals) have to be disciplined (suspension of an authorisation or removal from an activity), when a rider comes off unintentionally, or equipment gets damaged by a loose horse.
   3. Maintaining a roster that indicates those individuals authorised as equestrian marshals, as well as those authorised to participate in equestrian activities.
   4. Maintaining records relating to equestrian matters, including but not limited to all incident reports from Equestrian Marshals in Charge of equestrian events.
   5. Upon assuming the office of Kingdom Equestrian Officer, providing the Society Equestrian Officer with current contact information.
   6. Updating and maintaining Lochac's equestrian rules, and rider and driver authorisation procedures, to be compliant with Society equestrian rules within 1 year of changes.
4. The Kingdom Equestrian Officer shall have the authority to appoint deputies to assist in conducting equestrian activities. Their authority will be as determined by the Kingdom Equestrian Officer, and may include serving as equestrian marshals. Upon the appointment of a new Kingdom Equestrian Officer, all existing deputy warrants will terminate.

Equestrian Marshals

1. An Equestrian Marshal may be authorised after demonstrating the ability to oversee equestrian activities, judge an equestrian's authorisation, and inspect weapons and equipment.
2. An individual must be authorised, and be rostered as an equestrian marshal in order to be an Equestrian Marshal in Charge of an event, approve the suitability of weapons or equipment, marshal equestrian activities, or to sign paperwork to authorise equestrians.
3. Only the Kingdom Equestrian Officer or a designated Deputy may authorise Equestrian Marshals. They must execute the appropriate paperwork to ensure that the authorisation is registered. At a minimum, the authorisation shall include the following:
   1. The candidate must have a good working knowledge of the Lochac Equestrian Handbook.
   2. The candidate must be willing to enforce the Lochac Equestrian Handbook.
   3. The candidate must have a good working knowledge of Lochac's equestrian equipment standards.
   4. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to conduct an inspection of armour, weapons and equipment used in equestrian activities.
   5. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to conduct an inspection of an equestrian's compliance with the rider (and driver if applicable) authorisation requirements and responsibilities.
   6. The candidate must demonstrate an awareness of the risks inherent to equestrian activities.
   7. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to safely control SCA equestrian activities to minimise those risks.
   8. The candidate must have a working knowledge of the Grievances and Sanctions Procedure.
4. All rostered equestrian marshals shall be members of SCA Ltd Australia or SCA NZ Inc or their affiliates.