Rules
General Rules
1. Participating Countries
a. Squad members should be of that nationality or resident within the country (living / studying) – individual countries may make more exact rules on this subject
b. Squad members may participate in 1, 2 or 3 stages
c. Countries may take a reserve. If a team member is unable to compete through illness, injury or any other similar reason then the reserve may take his place, subject to the following conditions:
i. Once a competitor has taken his first scored run in an event his score must be used and a reserve cannot be used instead, even if the competitor is injured during the event
ii. A competitor who has been substituted may not be used for the team scores in any further event that day: the reserve takes his place until the following day
iii. Reserves should not be used tactically (e.g. by having competitors only competing in their best events). They may only be used in the event of genuine need.
2. Stages
a. There will be 3 stages hosted by 3 different countries (from the pool of participating nations): Stage 1 in the spring, 2 in the summer, 3 in the autumn
b. Grand Prix stages may be held as part of a bigger competition or may be limited to the Grand Prix teams
c. Teams will consist of 3 riders. In the rare occasion that a host country cannot accommodate teams of 3 the GP organising committee will discuss the possibility of teams of 2 riders.
d. All participating nations should aim to send a full team to each stage
e. Restrictions to equipment that may be used should not be permitted beyond those set out in the IHAA general rules
f. If a venue / organiser wishes to impose any restrictions on equipment beyond those in the IHAA general rules then those proposed restrictions must be made clear when applying to host a stage, so that they may be taken into account when selecting the stage venues
3. Events
a. Each stage must run the 2 core events, with standardised GP rules (as agreed in Oct’14):
i. Korean (K 2-3-5 GP)
ii. Hungarian (99m, 9 runs; 3 arrows must be shot to score time points; no capping of speed points).
b. 1 other event in addition to the 2 core events should be held, eg. Polish, Turkish, Mamluk. This should be an event that tests different skills and should, if possible, be individual to that stage depending on the terrain, local styles or history of that region. All details & rules for the extra discipline / event should be circulated well in advance (at least 2 months prior to the stage). The points available in the other event should be similar to those available in the Korean and Hungarian events.
4. Points
a. In each event the points scored by each team member are added together to make a team total score. Grand Prix points are then awarded according to team total as a percentage of the top scoring team in that event. Ie. the highest placed team scores 100 GP points.
b. If a country fails to send a team they score zero GP points
c. If a team contains fewer members than are allowed, they still just add the scores of those riders, there is no allowance made / average calculated
d. The aforementioned GP points for each event are added to calculate:
i. The placings for each stage (adding the GP points for each event in a stage). Potential maximus of 300 points.
ii. The for the whole season (adding the GP point for all events in all stages). Potential maximum of 900 points.
e. In the event of 2 countries finishing with the same GP point cumulative total at the end of the year the country with the greater number of 1st places (of the team in events) will win. If this is tied the team with the greater number of 2nd places will win; and so on.
5. Horse selection
a. Horse selection should take place during a riding session separate from, and prior to, the start of the competition. It is the organisers’ responsibility to ensure that time for this is allocated in the competition timetable and that competitors are aware of when it will occur. It is a competitor’s responsibility to arrive in time for the horse selection (unless by prior arrangement)
b. A rider should communicate their preferred horse speed and type to the organiser and a joint decision should taken as to a suitable mount once the rider has had a chance to warm up in a field/arena; to canter/gallop down the track and shoot from the potential horses. Only in exceptional circumstances, e.g. poor weather, should procedure deviate from this ideal situation.
c. Should significant problems arise during the competition (particularly if horses are being shared with another rider) there should be an allowance for discussion between rider, chief ref, head organiser & horse owner for a reschooling run or a change of horse.
d. The same horse should be used by a rider throughout the whole competition, unless the horse is retired from the competition due to injury or because it becomes apparent the rider is unsafe on that horse. [See general IHAA competition rules] The chief referee gets the final decision regarding changing horses
6. Warm up runs
a. There should be provision for competitors to warm up properly, including ground shooting and horse schooling/warming up (without shooting) before each event. Separate areas should be provided for this.
b. The number of warm up runs is specified under the Korean and Hungarian rules If there are concerns regarding the fatigue of horses, especially in heavy going conditions, or the competition timetable warm up runs may be decreased to a minimum of 1 canter without / with shooting, prior to starting competition runs
The number of warm up runs for the 3rd event will be determined by the organisers. If any team captains have issue with the number of warm up runs offered it should be discussed between the organiser and all team captains at the earliest opportunity.
c. At least one of the warm-up runs should be timed and the time of the run communicated to the rider.
d. Should a rider change onto a new horse (due to lameness / safety concerns with their original horse), the organiser determines when the REMAINING runs are taken. Prior to restarting they get 1 warm up canter without and 1 run with shooting before commencing (they do not get to run the whole event again, joining with the next group from the start)
7. Procedure within the competition
a. The team captains (or another nominated representative) and chief referee must check the track set up the day before competition and verbally acknowledge their acceptance of it. If necessary, due to extreme or changing ground conditions, this may be repeated the morning of competition.
i. This official check is the opportunity for teams to identify any problems in track set up and a tape measure and rules (for track set-up) should be available.
ii. Should a mistake in track set up be missed at this stage and instead noticed during the competition the chief referee and appeals committee together will decide what course of action is best for the competitors (and horses) and for the validity of the competition, and determine how to best proceed.
b. Prior to the start of competition an Appeals committee should be elected. It will consist of 3 people (including riders and/or judges) and will be elected by the GP competitors.
i. The appeals committee with deal with any queries regarding the validity of scores, or refereeing decisions
ii. Should a rider disagree with the chief referee’s decision regarding changing a lame or dangerous horse, that decision may be challenged via the appeals committee.
iii. To lodge an appeal the concern should be announced immediately and then written down and given to the chief referee.
c. At the start of each group competitors should be introduced to spectators if time and audio equipment allow
d. Target judges should hold up scores for target points long enough that a rider’s representative based near the judges tent can view them and question results if necessary.
e. Once scored properly (ie the arrow isn’t touched until the score has been recorded), remove arrows from targets after each run, so every competitor has a clear target face to shoot at
f. If scoring is efficient enough then preliminary results for individual competitors may be announced while the next group is warming up.
g. Results sheets must be issued to competitors before the final results of an event are announced. Competitors will have 15mins to appeal perceived errors.
Similarly, at the end of a stage competition or the whole series, the team results, GP points and placings should be provided for team captains to check before the results are formally announced by the organiser.
h. It is forbidden to use tack to "tie down" (In spännings tygel) which might allow riders with fast horses to make them slow during the different styles
Korean Rules (KGP 2-3-5)
1. The Korean Style
1.1 The Korean Style event shall consist of six runs, split between three disciplines: double shot, triple shot and serial shot.
1.2 The disciplines must be run in the order prescribed: two runs of double shot; then two runs of triple shot; then two runs of serial shot. These disciplines shall be run as set out below.
1.3 The competitor’s score for the event shall be the total of the scores for the competitor’s six runs.
1.4 Prior to starting their scored runs, competitors get 2 warm up canters, with or without shooting (depending on the competitor’s preferences / needs)
1.5 The track should be set up so that there is a minimum start/stop distance of 25m before and after the timing gates. It is not necessary for this to be straight but if curved it should not be tighter than a 20m diameter circle.
2. General Rules – Applicable to All Korean Disciplines
2.1 Arrows must be individually drawn from the belt or from a quiver or arrow case, which must be attached to the competitor’s hip, waist, thigh or back. It must not be attached to any other part of the body.
2.2 In the double shot and triple shot disciplines, competitors must not touch their arrows until they have passed the start line.
2.2.1 If the competitor touches the arrow before if they have passed the start line, they shall score no points for the first arrow loosed at a target on that run, although they may score with any subsequent arrows loosed on the same run.
2.2.2 In the serial shot discipline, competitors may start with an arrow nocked. The remaining arrow must be in the belt or quiver as set out in Rule 2.1 above.
2.3 For the purpose of deciding whether an arrow was drawn early in contravention of Rule 2.2:
2.3.1 The competitor shall be deemed to have crossed the start line when the rider’s body crosses the line, not when the horse does so;
2.3.2 A judge shall be positioned at the start line to judge whether a competitor has drawn early;
2.3.3 The benefit of the doubt shall be given to the competitor. If the judge is not sure whether the competitor drew early or not then no penalty shall be imposed.
2.4 Only one arrow may be loosed at each target. A competitor whose first arrow will score zero because they touched their arrows before the start line (see Rule 2.2) may still only loose as many arrows as there are targets in that discipline. Any arrows loosed beyond the allowed number for the run shall not count.
2.5 The targets shall be positioned at an angle so that the face is perpendicular to an archer in the saddle.
2.6 The targets shall be either:
2.6.1 A round target with a diameter of 80cm, divided into 5 concentric circular zones of diameters 14cm, 28cm, 42cm, 56cm and 80cm. The target zones shall score, from inner to outer: 5pts, 4pts, 3pts, 2pts and 1pt respectively. (A standard FITA target.)
2.6.2 A square target 71cm to a side, divided into 5 evenly spaced concentric zones. The zones score as for Rule 2.6.1 above.
2.6.3 A square target 84cm to a side, divided as set out in Rule 2.6.1 above.
80cm round targets and 71cm square targets shall be set 7m from the edge of the track. 84cm square targets shall be set 8m from the edge of the track.
2.7 All runs must be completed at canter or gallop.
2.8 There should be an empty 5m buffer zone between the track and spectators. Judges, officials and 1 representative/helper per team are permitted within this area but should take care not to crowd the edge of the track.
The only horses within the buffer zone should be those in the current group.
3. Time Allowed
3.1 The time allowed for each run is 14s for the double shot, 18s for the triple shot and 23s for the serial shot. Subject to Rules 5.6 and 6.7 below, points shall be awarded or deducted for completing a run in less or more than this time. One point shall be awarded or deducted for each second, calculated to two decimal places (unless timing equipment does not allow for this level of accuracy).
3.2 Points are only awarded for time if the competitor hits at least one target. If no targets are hit then the run scores zero, regardless of time taken.
3.3 “Hits” means hits within the scoring zones of the target face. Arrows that hit the target boss but do not scores points are not “hits” for the purpose of these rules.
4. The Double Shot Discipline
4.1 The course shall be 90m long.
4.2 The first target shall be positioned 40m along the track and shall be angled for a shot from an archer who is 25m along the track.
4.3 The second target shall be positioned 50m along the track and shall be angled for a shot from an archer who is 65m along the track.
4.4 The time allowed is 14s (see rule 3).
4.5 Two bonus points shall be awarded for any run in which the competitor hits both targets.
5. The Triple Shot Discipline
5.1 The course shall be 120m long.
5.2 Three targets shall be positioned as follows:
1 target at 40m along the track, angled for a forwards shot by an archer who is 30m along the track;
1 target at 60m along the track, angled for a sideways shot;
1 target at 80m along the track, angled for a backwards shot by an archer who is 90m along the track;
5.4 The time allowed is 18s (see rule 3).
5.5 Three bonus points shall be awarded for any run in which the competitor hits all three targets.
5.6 If a competitor fails to hit at least two targets in any given run then no bonus shall be awarded for speed in that run. If the run is slower than the allowed time then time penalties shall still be incurred.
6. The Serial Shot Discipline
6.1 The course shall be 150m long.
6.2 Five targets shall be positioned for sideways shots at distances of 15m, 45m, 75m, 105m and 135m along the track.
6.3 Competitors may start with an arrow nocked. The remaining arrows must be drawn from a belt or quiver as usual.
6.4 The allowed time is 23s (see rule 3).
6.5 Three bonus points shall be awarded for any run in which the competitor hits three consecutive targets (i.e. first, second and third; second, third and fourth; or third, fourth and fifth targets).
6.6 Five bonus points shall be awarded for any run in which the competitor hits all five targets. This bonus is not cumulative with the bonus for hitting three consecutive targets: competitors are awarded 3 points for hitting 3 consecutive targets OR 5 points for hitting all 5 targets.
6.7 If a competitor fails to hit at least three targets in any given run then no bonus shall be awarded for speed in that run. If the run is slower than the allowed time then time penalties shall still be incurred
Hungarian Rules
1. Set-up
1.1 The track shall be 99m long, with a 10-15m straight length of track beyond the timing gate. The track shall be 2-4m wide.
There should be a 25m minimum distance for starting and stopping before and after the timing gates; beyond the straight section it may be curved, but not too tightly (ie not tighter than the curve of a 20m diameter circle). Ideally the curve should approach from the target side of the track to encourage the horse of a right-handed archer to be on the right-canter-lead, and vice versa for a left hander.
1.2 There shall be tall poles (3m or more in height) at the start and finish lines on the side of the track nearest the target. These should be approximately 20cm from the edge of the track.
1.3 This event may be run with either:
1.3.1 a single target that rotates as the competitor rides past. The target should be placed so that its centre is 2m above the level of the track. It shall be placed half way along the track (i.e. 49.5m from the start and finish lines) and 9m away from the edge of the track; or
1.3.2 a target tower that holds three targets, whose centres should be placed 2m above the level of the track. The tower shall be placed half way along the track (i.e. 49.5m from the start and finish lines) and 9m away from the edge of the track.
1.4 The target faces shall be round and composed of three concentric zones in contrasting colours. The zones shall be of 90cm, 60cm and 30cm diameter respectively.
1.5 Where a target tower is used (see Rule 1.3.2), the central target shall be placed so that its face is parallel to the line of the track. The first and third targets should be angled in such a way that allows the competitor riding along the track to hit the 1st target perpendicularly from approximately half way between the start line and the middle of the track (approximately 25m along the track) and the 3rd target from half way between the middle of the run and the finish line (approximately 75m along the track) – shooting the first target forwards and the third one backwards.
1.6 It is preferable (but not required) for the central target to be set back from the edge of the 1st and 3rd targets, so that arrows missing the 1st or 3rd targets cannot hit the 2nd target by accident.
1.7 There should be an empty 5m buffer zone between the track and spectators. Judges, officials and 1 representative/helper per team are permitted within this area but should take care not to crowd the edge of the track.
The only horses within the buffer zone should be those in the current group.
2. Procedure
2.1 Each competitor gets 3 warm up canters on the track (without / with shooting as they wish)
2.2 Each competitor has 9 competition runs on the track. All runs must be completed at canter or gallop.
2.3 There is no limit to the number of arrows that may be shot at each target.
2.4 Arrows may be drawn from a quiver or may be held in the bow hand or drawing hand. Arrows may also be drawn from the belt. Competitors are allowed to start with an arrow nocked.
2.5 Arrows may be shot at any target from any point on the track.
2.6 Any arrows loosed before the competitor passes the start line or after the competitor passes the finish line only score if:
a. they were loosed while the horse was at canter or gallop; AND
b. the arrow passes between the start and finish poles (see Rule 1.2 above).
3. Scoring
3.1 All targets score as follows (inner ring outwards): 4pts, 3pts, 2pts.
3.2 The time limit to complete the run is 20 seconds. One point is added for every second under the time limit (to 2 decimal places, unless the timing equipment does not allow this level of accuracy).
3.3 Time points are only added under Rule 3.2 if the competitor shoots at least 3 arrows that pass between the start and finish posts. It is not necessary to hit the target with more than 1 arrow, but at least 3 must be shot in order to score time points.
3.3.1 An arrow is “shot” if, in the opinion of the referee, a reasonable attempt was made to hit the target, ie. the arrow should not be offloaded into the ground as they pass through the finish post just for the purpose of having shot that arrow.
3.3.2 It is not necessary to record the number of arrows shot, only whether sufficient to collect time points (ie. 3 arrows or more) or too few arrows to collect time points (1 or 2)
3.4 If a competitor exceeds the time limit they score 0 for that run, regardless of any hits on the targets.
3.5 If the competitor fails to score any hits on the targets, they score 0 for that run, regardless of time taken.
3.6 The total scores (hits+time bonus) for each of the 9 runs are added together to give the competitor’s total score.