England's Medieval Festival

Rules for Medieval Mounted Skill-at-Arms Competitions

As far as is possible these Rules are based on the International Rules for Tentpegging and Skill-at-Arms.  These Rules have been adopted so that individual competitors and teams of competitors from any part of the world may compete against one another under as fair and equal terms as possible.

Number of Entries Permitted

Only one entry per rider will be accepted.

Ill Treatment of Horses / Dangerous Riding

The judges have the right to disqualify any rider whom, in their opinion, mistreats their horse or is felt to be dangerous in their manner of riding
Lame Horse
If in the opinion of the judges a horse is lame, the horse will be disqualified from the competition.
Period of Event
The period of an event extends from one hour before the beginning of the event to an hour after the announcement of the final results, unless the schedule provides otherwise. Complaints or queries arising from an event or from any particular class within an event need to be lodged in person with the judges - in writing - within one hour of the results being announced. A query fee of £20 will be lodged with the judges, to be returned if the judge finds that the complaint or query is justified.
Change of Rider / Horse
The changing of horse and/or rider in a household team (if applicable) for the duration of a competition will not normally be allowed except on approval of the judges. Horses or riders may not be exchanged within a household team for the duration of any one Class except on approval of the judges.
Clothing
All competitors are to dress in a suitable medieval style of clothing. This should be as authentic as possible and 15th century in design (13th and 16th century designs are acceptable). Hats are a very important part of the costume. Different styles from across Europe from the periods that are referred to above are acceptable though must – without exception – be worn over a hard hat to at least the minimum standard (EN1384) with a harness properly adjusted and fastened.   Failure to wear such a hard hat will result in elimination.
Permitted Tack
1. Saddlery
Saddlery in good condition and of any type may be used. The stirrups or stirrup leathers may not be attached to any other part of the horse or saddlery.
2. Bits
Only the following bits are permitted : (i) Pelham : (ii) Double : (iii) Snaffle
Dropped nose bands are permitted. Martingales are optional.
Loss of Weapon / Lance etc.
a) A competitor breaking his/her weapon at any time from the commencement of a run, until the completion of the run, will not be re-armed before completion of that run but points scored prior to being disarmed will hold good.
b) If a competitor drops his/her lance/sword between start and finish lines, he/she will not be awarded any points for that run.  In a household team competition (if applicable), the scores scored by other riders will hold good.
c) Break of a point or a shaft will be treated as break of weapon.
Fall of Competitor / Horse
A competitor who either falls or his horse falls during a run will be eliminated for that run. In household team competitions (if held) the points scored by the other competitors will stand.
Judges
Two judges will be appointed for the duration of the competition. Their decisions will be final. Both judges must be experienced horsemen/horsewomen with a thorough knowledge of the Rules.
Scorer
a) The judges will award scores for each competitor and then inform the scorer for entry into the appropriate score sheet.  Results sheets will be signed by all judges.
b) A scorer will sit next to the judges to keep a record of the score and keep the announcer informed as the competition progresses.
Starter
a) One of the judges is the starter.
b) The starter is equipped with a flag. He/she will hold the flag up when he/she is satisfied that all is ready for the start of the run. He/she will drop the flag at the start signal when he/she sees that competitors are in a position to start.
c) If a competitor crosses the start line before the start order is given, he/she will be eliminated from that run and no points will be awarded. This will equally hold good for household team events (if run).
Track Party
The track party consists of a track official and required number of assistants. They are responsible for maintaining the general condition of the track, issuing and retrieving of weapons and for fixing of the pegs, rings, lemons/oranges, etc.

Specifications of Equipment

Lance and Sword
All competitors shall be similarly armed with either sword or lance as laid down in the Rules. The lance shall not be shorter than 2.3m (2m for juniors, i.e. riders under the age of 16) with a metal point without serrated edges. Grips are permitted. Lances can be of any material. The sword shall not be shorter than 81cm and shall not exceed 90cm in blade length, with an overall length not exceeding 110cm.  Blades on hilts, slings or barbs are not allowed.
Pricker

Prickers are to be 2 feet in length exclusive of the point which is to be ½” inch long.  These are the only weapons that will be provided for competitions.
Pegs
a) The dimensions of pegs are 30cm long, 2.5cm thick but the width will vary from 7.5cm/5cm/2.5cm depending on the stage of competition. The judges will make every effort to select pegs of uniform size as much as possible from the pegs provided.
b) The pegs are to be driven into the ground at an angle of 60 degrees from horizontal, with exactly 17cm of the peg showing above the ground level. The face of the peg must be painted white.
d) If made of wood, the pegs should preferably be made of the wood of obeche or knot-free pine and should as far as possible be equal in weight and should not break up when pierced by the lance/sword.  Pegs may also be made of synthetic materials.

Speed
Without timing equipment, it is at the judges' discretion to disqualify any 'run' that they feel is too slow. All pegging runs must be made at the gallop.  If the judges feel that any element is not performed at an appropriate pace, they will raise the ‘flag of doom’ and either give to the rider an appropriate warning, make a deduction of points or disqualify  them – again at their discretion.

Stipulations
Lance - Individual
Number of runs = two, each at a 7.5cm width peg.
Sword - Individual
This is an individual competition and Rules laid down for lance - individual - will apply.
Gallows – Two Rings (Lance)
Equipment consists of two gallows with a 'T' crossbar 2.6 metres high from ground level with a horizontal cross bar of 1.8 metres extending 0.9 metres on either side of vertical having a vertical hanging strap (light materials) to the ring holder. The ring (6cm inside measurement) is suspended at a height of 2.2 metres from the ground to the top of the ring. The gallows are 15 metres apart.
Gallows - Lemons (Oranges) (Sword)
The course is set up as for rings.  Instead of rings, lemons/oranges will be positioned in a line.  The lemon/orange is suspended at a height of 2.2 metres from the ground to the top of the lemon/orange.
Slice one - with the sword resting horizontally behind the shoulders, hand in line with shoulder at cheek height, elbow below hand, cut horizontally from rear to front
Slice two - with sword at left shoulder, cut horizontally from rear to front, at neck height with elbow as high as hand. A downward cut or 'push' at lemon/orange will not be allowed and no points will be awarded.
Throwing Spears
Number of runs = two, one run in each direction.
Target size
The target will be circular and made of plaid straw. It will be 4ft wide. At the centre will be a 1ft wide red bull's-eye. The target will be stood on the ground braced against a bale of straw.
General - the spear must stick in the target for any points to be awarded.
Spears must be thrown (stabbing is not permitted)
An over-arm action must be used
Throwing spears will be provided though competitors may bring their own.   All privately owned throwing spears must be approved by the judges in advance of the competition.  There is no minimum length for throwing spears. Barbed or serrated points are not allowed.
Cabbage Cutting
Number of runs = one – away from the collecting ring.
General
2 cabbages for each run at a distance of 15 metres from each other, placed in line with each other
No cabbage to be cut towards the horse.   Failure to comply will result in loss of points for the run in which the cabbage was incorrectly cut.  Striking of the horse with the blade at any time will result in loss of points for the run in question.
Cabbages to be at head height of a standing man (5ft 8in from ground to top of cabbage)
Quintain
Number of runs = two – one run in each direction
Target size 12in wide, 15in high on the straight side
General
The lance is to be used across the horse's withers.  Only blunt lances with a cushioned striking end are to be used.
Lances for the quintain will be provided though competitors may bring their own.   All privately owned lances must be approved by the judges in advance of the competition.  There is no minimum length for quintain lances.

Skill-at-Arms

Weapons used - Pricker, Sword and Lance

Layout of Course

1st leg
To consist of 3 brush jumps (each at a height of between 77cm and 92cm) in a line with a 20m gap between each. Each brush jump will be of the same height and narrow in width. A medieval bladder (balloon) holder at 2m in height to hold a standard-size medieval bladder is placed near the right of the first jump, a second bladder holder at 1.5m in height is placed near the left of the second jump (2nd bladder to be 1.5m to the left of the line of the 1st and 3rd bladders) and a third bladder holder at 1m in height is placed near the right of the third jump. A medieval bucket (approximately 20 litres, wooden) is to be provided at the end of the 1st leg, approximately 1.5m above ground level for depositing pricker.  A bale of straw needs to be placed next to that bucket for holding swords that need to be picked up for the 2nd leg of the course.
2nd leg
The 2nd leg consists of 2 dummies (filled with straw on a firm base) which should swivel away from the rider on impact of the sword. A round heart 18cm in diameter will be placed in the centre of each dummy's abdomen at a height (from the base thereof) of 1.5m from the ground.  The aim is to pierce the heart on each dummy.  The 1st dummy (which is to be struck from the right-hand side) is to be placed opposite a point halfway between the 2nd and 3rd jumps mentioned in 1st leg. The 2nd dummy (which is to be struck from the left-hand side) is similarly positioned 20m from the first dummy. The rider after striking the first dummy must quickly withdraw the sword and go after the heart in 2nd dummy and leave the sword in the dummy.  If the rider misses the dummy, having passed it on the correct side and is, as a result, still carrying the sword then he/she should go toward the lance, embed the sword in the ground and pick up the lance for the 3rd leg.  The missing of a target is not a rectifiable error.
3rd leg
The rider then proceeds ahead and takes the lance which has been embedded lightly in the ground and then completes the 3rd leg on 2 rings.

List of Rectifiable Errors

General
The scores for the morning and afternoon elements of the competitions for experienced riders/seniors are cumulative.  Similarly the scores for the novice riders/juniors are cumulative.  If at the end of any session there is a draw for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, the competitors involved will each have two runs at a 5cm wide peg, with a lance.  If the competitors are still tied at this stage a further run - at a 2.5cm peg - will take place.  In the unlikely event of equality on 2.5cm pegs being carried the judges will decide on a way to separate the competitors - either by having another run at the 2.5cm peg or by marking the bottom of the peg so that the competitor who is in or nearest to that mark is declared the winner.

Award of Points for Elements other than Skill-at-Arms

Award of Points for Skill-at-Arms

Penalty Points in context of Skill-at-Arms

For each fence knocked down                                                                           1 point deducted
For first refusal or other disobedience in 1st leg                                              3 points deducted
For second refusal or other disobedience in 1st leg                                        6 points deducted
For pricker bouncing out of bucket                                                                  6 points deducted
For knocking down dagger receptacle                                                             6 points deducted
For failing to strike a dummy                                                                              6 points deducted
For passing a dummy on the wrong side                                                         6 points deducted

The above point deductions are cumulative, i.e. 3 + 6 if there are two refusals, 6 + 6 if two dummies are not struck etc.

If a weapon is dropped, only points awarded up to the point at which the weapon is dropped will be allowed.

Fall of horse or rider, 3rd disobedience or an unrectifiable error Elimination

Failure to wear a hard hat to the approved minimum standard              Elimination

The overall winner is to be worked out each day on the basis of the total number of ‘placings’ points (i.e. 1st = 4 points, 2nd = 3 points, 3rd = 2 points and 4th = 1 point) that are earned during the course of the day - not on the basis of overall total number of points that are scored on that day.   Similarly the overall winner of the 3-day Tournament (both junior/novice and senior/experienced) is to be worked out on this basis
Note: Level of Competence to be Proven
All competitors must be able to ride one-handed at walk, trot, canter and gallop and be able to turn, circle and jump small fences. They must also be able to demonstrate that they have received the level of training essential for the purpose of safely carrying (whilst on horseback) the required weapons, i.e. lance, sword, pricker, throwing spear, etc. Likewise all horses must have had training in and experience of the said disciplines.
UK riders if bringing their own horse must be available on the practice day (Friday) for assessment of the above. UK riders hiring horses from Ditchling Common Stud must, in advance of the show, attend Ditchling Common Stud Riding School for the purpose of being suitably assessed.

www.sussexpeggers.com

10 August 2011