Insurance Waivers
Non members of the WP&CS of Aust. are able to participate at WP&CS run events by signing an insurance waiver and submitting it to the event organiser. Green wrist bands must be worn when provided.
Members Handbook
The WP&CS Members Handbook is a wonderful resource for all members! It focuses on all aspects of showing Welsh ponies and cobs and Part Welsh, covering questions like ‘Do I enter a Welsh class or the Open class?’, ‘What do I wear and how do I present my horse?’ and “What is the difference between a Show and Welsh Hunter?”, “What am I expected to do in a Lead Rein class?’.
The Members Handbook is currently undergoing an update and will be available soon!
Swabbing
- Horses led, ridden or driven in WP&CS of Australia competitions must not compete under the influence of prohibited medications. The FEI defines what a prohibited substance is in the FEI veterinary regulations; the EA agrees and uses the same definition. As an affiliate of the EA, the WP&CS of Australia also uses the same definition. The WP&CS of Australia Medication Control Policy describes requirements for the drug testing of horses and ponies.
- Medication control sampling (swabbing) is recommended at the following events/occasions:
- All State or National Championships, including State All Welsh Shows and the National Show and ARC Final and Mini Championship.
- Any State WP&CS approved shows, including Performance competitions, youngstock and foal shows and other shows organised at the state level that are approved by the WP&CS committee of management (COM)
- Upon any horse or pony that dies/ has to be euthanised at a WP&CS of Australia State or National Championship Competition.
- A compulsory swabbing levy of $10 per exhibitor at these events has been introduced. All levy funds will be used for the costs of the swabbing program.
- It is the responsibility of owners/exhibitors to consult with their veterinarian and/or the drug manufacturer for up to date information concerning the likely withholding period for any drugs prescribed and administered.
- Under this policy, the owner and/or rider/handler is held responsible and accountable for the condition of the horse or pony and for compliance with this policy. The owner shall ensure that any rider/handler is aware of the terms of this policy and shall comply with any request made by the WP&CS of Australia to the rider/handler in relation to this policy.
A helpful link to the FEI website to view the substance list using trade name or drug name: http://prohibitedsubstancesdatabase.feicleansport.org/
If you require a Medication and Treatment form it can be found here http://www.fei.org/fei/cleansport/ad-h/medforms
A COPY OR THE ORIGINAL OF THE HORSES REGISTRATION CARD MUST BE AVAILABLE AT ANY EVENT THAT WILL HAVE SWABBING.
SWABBING Q&A
The swabbing program has been introduced to deter the unacceptable practice of using any prohibited or banned substances to enhance performance. The use of these substances is a welfare matter as well as sportsmanship issue.
Once you have been notified a Swabbing Steward will stay with your horse at all times until the completion of the swabbing. Your horse can not go back into its stable once it has been selected. No food or liquid may be given to the horse until the completion of swabbing. The horse or pony may be hosed down and may have its tack removed before making its way to the sampling box/area. However, after notification the exhibitor must present the horse or pony at the swabbing area as soon as possible for sample collection
The Swabbing Steward will take you to the ‘Swabbing Box’ or a similar area that is quiet and as private as possible. You or the responsible officer for the horse is required to stay with the horse and sign all the appropriate forms (the Swabbing Steward will give these to you to sign on the day).
You can nominate a ‘Responsible Office’ who formally agrees (signing a form to indicate accepting responsibility) to be with the horse from the beginning to the finish of the swabbing process.
Only appropriately qualified personal will be testing the horses, this includes a veterinarian, and an EA Steward who will all be at the event.
Checking all the appropriate forms are signed, sighted and completed properly; ensuring samples are kept in a safe secure place at all times and are sent to the testing laboratory. They stay with the horse at all times once the rider/owner or representative has been notified that swabbing is to take place, until the procedure is finished.
Upon receipt of a positive result from an “A Sample” the laboratory will notify the Committee of Management (COM) of the WPCSA. The COM shall conduct a review to determine whether:
- an applicable *ETUE has been granted, or
- any apparent departure from the testing procedure that undermine the validity of the positive result.
*ETUE is the Equine Therapeutic Use Exemption. This is the authorization to compete when a prohibited substance or prohibited method has been administered or used for legitimate therapeutic purposes in a horse, as provided for in the FEI Veterinary Regulations through the use of an applicable medication form as therein specified.
The COM shall promptly (within ten days of the WPCSA National Office receiving notification of a positive result) notify the Person Responsible of; The Adverse Analytical Finding (positive swab); of the rule that has been violated; the right to request the analysis of the “B-Sample”; the right to be present at the identification and opening of the “B-Sample”; the right to request copies of the A & B sample laboratory reports; the Option to waive certain rights by accepting an administrative penalty
If “B-Sample” proves negative, the entire test will be considered negative
Refer to the WP&CS Swabbing Policy
JUDGING
HOW TO BE APPOINTED TO THE JUDGE PANEL OF THE WPCS OF A INC
Before commencing the journey to becoming a judge it is advised that you consider why you would like to undertake this task. Judges are often placed under considerable pressure by show societies and exhibitors and it is important that you are able to withstand these and continue to judge impartially and efficiently. The integrity of a judge must remain beyond reproach at all times.
The process for becoming a judge and advancement as a judge has recently been reviewed. A three tier structure now applies with judges advancing from Tier 3 to Tier 1 depending on judging experience and assessment. The aim of the new system is not to cause a competition for advancement but rather to enable judges to receive sufficient experience and training prior to being asked to judge major shows.
Judges will be held accountable should they accept appointments they are not eligible to judge according to their Tier status.
For more information, please contact the Judge coordinator: Helen Dohan at woranora@hotmail.com or 0418 484 592 or the National office.